sailworks

Well if I can only generate 1/3 the line tension of my mentor at given line and speed .. . there is little hope that fiddling with other nuances of technique is going to allow me to replicate his / her performance. I would know that ultimately have to come close to generating similar load if hope to be successful??

Thanks! I have something like what you show. It works .. not too well. Doesn’t it seem like this information would be of considerable interest to skiers working to improve? Just seems like other BOSers would have working instrument!!?

Thanks -- Yup, seen it there also - but have no idea how to get one???

Nope … still interested! No response here.

Here is update regarding Powervest from long time user. Little to add to fairly extensive comments earlier in this thread EXCEPT: New strong recommendation for strapping. Other than more weight than standard ski vest - the only downside to vest from my long perspective is modest but definite friction of the "standard" strap when reaching. I have tried many variations of strap material, but difficult to find one that is strong yet with minimal friction on passing through the vest material and gizmo that guides the strap relative to the back plate. Previously I mentioned using small I - bolts rather than the stock D - ring on a strap (pics earlier in this thread), but still annoying low grade friction when reaching. Recently I tried nautical 3/16 in line called amsteel https://dutchwaregear.com/product/3-16-amsteel-blue/ .... super strong, no stretch, and most importantly -- glides through the vest on reaching with no detectable resistance. Bowline tie on one glove and bowline to snap shackle / glove on other side. If you use a PowerVest - I strongly suggest you give this a try.

Hello fellow PV users. Still going strong with PV course skiing daily! For those interested in my thoughts about the Vest - please see my ridiculously long post (with pictures of mods) at https://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/comment/230760. Happy to discuss directly with anyone interested. For me (as orthopedic surgeon) - its like windsurfing without a harness: you can do it - but who would ever want to do that:).

Hey Horton. Sorry to hear about new injury! Reviewed this thread for first time in few years. I still use the power vest pretty much daily and still huge fan. Little to add to my earlier posts in this thread from years ago. The vest bypasses the elbow so effectively that I am not surprised to hear that it is allowing you to ski with elbow injury. Seeing ortho is good idea (I'm an orthopod) if symptoms persistent. Straps that slide with no friction are essential (if nothing else - squirt a couple drops of soap down strap sleeves before use) and vest modifications can help with that. Strong carabiner clip for connection to one glove D ring makes for big improvement re ease of use. For anyone trying vest for first time: again - please do not "go for it" with straps that are too short! Takes a few sets to adjust - but I see no downside to anything other than ego. The folks at Goode have been great in supporting the vest. It is kinda expensive, but compared with other waterskiing expenses and given that it can protect your bod, allow much more ski time per set - and allow many to continue skiing when without if we couldn't - I think it remains a steal. I have lots of experience with the vest - so anyone welcome to email me if I can help with a question.

Following this discussion with interest - from perspective of orthopedic surgeon who is older but still loves to ski and continue efforts to improve performance / scores. From my perspective ZBS has great merit in allowing an individual the option of focusing improvement by shortening at speed below divisional max speed. But I think with regard to "max division speed" questions- the "powers that be" should consider what I am acutely aware of as an arthropod - namely that energy dissipated in a crash correlates with velocity squared, and (IMHO) the risk of injury is significantly increased (for everyone - but especially those with aging bods) with each 2mph increment. ZBS without upper speed limit will strongly encourage some subset of competitors to ski at intrinsically dangerous speed for their age. Yes, it's individual decision, but I would think those that make these decisions would want to be sure they aren't fostering dangerous options / decisions for aging athletes. I'm assuming that original decisions about division speed limits were driven by safety considerations??

Orthopedic doc and long time Power Vest user: love product M8 28-32 off skier. For sure will cure upper extremity "over use" issues at elbows, hands, shoulders, while off loading the back. Once you ski with it a bit I don't see the downside other than being careful about the loads you can generate -- and it is bit heavy. Several comments for those exploring and who have questions about deep water starts in particular: 1. Deep water starts were very challenging for me (lots of high stress ploughing) for long time until I discovered a few things.... 2. Driver throttle progression is key for me - needs to be kinda "get it over with quickly" medium to hard "progressive" up. Throttle too soft makes for painful long "fight the boat ploughing" ---- and a really hard throttle will try to break the vest / straps / gloves / D rings connections / or your body. 3. When straps are "just right" for distributing the load (to hips/CG) when stacked skiing) - you will find that just as Goode suggests - that while standing (upright on ground) that the straps go tight just when you extend the wrist (with arms at side). 4. With this strap length (for me) I can not (in deep water starting position) get my hands in front of my feet or on the ski (where I might like to have them for deep water starting without the vest) -- rather with the p-vest my hands reach just to top of (or just in front of) the knees. (This is what made starts problematic for me) .... But with hands on knees and in as much of a sitting position as possible - just progress quickly from "in gear" to "go boat" and then (and this is key for me) try to rock forward with tug of the boat as if to put tip of ski underwater (it won't go underwater) -- AND at same time feel buttocks sit on / touch the tail of ski ... 5. For me focusing on these simple things-- I went from breaking the plate (more than one) and torturing my body - to effortless ups. Couple of other things: 1. I modified the "strap" and the eyelets on the vest to make the slide of the strap with reaching virtually frictionless .. I can say more about this if there is interest. 2. I added a "clip' to one glove attachment at the D ring to make for easy disconnect and ease in swimming and getting into boat etc. 3. Goode has recently made the jacket considerably more durable - much appreciated ! 4. I love the clincher gloves -- but like all gloves limited life expectancy.

@DW .. thanks for comment / suggestion. I’m really looking for info on the gizmo they are using at Swiss Pro (this year and last). Looks like it should be commercially available !??!

I see again this year that on coverage Swiss Pro - there is device that measures line tension. I have been trying for some time to find a "workable" strain gauge that we can use in boat to measure / record line tension, but not too successful. To the extent that many of us try to understand and emulate what we see (video etc) the more accomplished skier do, it has certainly occurred to me that knowing how much tension (and where in course that tension develops) could be "enlightening" when comparing what us mortals can and do generate vs the more accomplished skiers that we see as technical "role models". So question: does someone know about the device they are using at Swiss Pro?; available to public?; or alternative? I know there was a strain gauge that crew making "West Coast Slalom" used, but can't seem to find out about that either:(

Just wondering if anyone has investigated 2019 Evo (which I understand is bit different vs 2018), and of more interest - wondering if any experience / rides 2019 Evo S vs 2019 Evo “standard”? Sorry to ask if there is an appropriate thread addressing the question?

For what its worth- I have lived this story for several years. As has been suggested by others: its not the app or any version of the app; its the newer phones - their image stabilization works fine hand held, but useless re (most) boat vibration. The later apple iPhone selfie cameras work re shake, but no zoom. The best apple phone in my experience is 5 - not 5s and not later versions.

Re iphone 5 (not 5s) - works best - and I bought one used just for wakeye to deal with unusable iPhone 6. Do not need cell service. I’m getting iPhone X. Does anyone have experience with iPhone X in wakeye app re stabilization issues. (Everyone knows it’s the phone not the app) Thx

Lots of personal experience - it's all been stated else where: 0. Issues are with cameras, not wakeye app 1. iphone 5 (but not 5s) works very well -- refurbished online deals for 80$ - I bought one just for camera that works w wakeye app (GPS control) 2. iPhone 6+ is hopeless - camera problem 3. Don't use auto focus - lock focus at distance or at water skier distance. Wakeye mount and app are great !