Ghibli

@MS Here's a post of mine from over a year ago and the link to the thread. "Thousands of kids and their families are "exposed" to slalom every year at Okeeheelee on their way to the soccer and baseball fields, not to mention the motorcross participants. Has ONE of those families ever taken up slalom skiing in the last thirty years? Price of admittance is any boat ever approved by the AWSA, way less than 15k for a good working example, plus 80 bucks a year and equipment. Given some of the vehicles they arrive in, money doesn't seem to be the problem. Just food for thought." http://tinyurl.com/gnlqh97

@Booze As long as you are low-volume seller, eBay charges nothing to list the boat and a flat $125 if the boat sells. Seems fair given the protection they offer. Makes me more comfortable if I buy the boat unseen. And the offer feature makes the negotiation much easier. There are a few comp boats listed at the moment. Would love to see some 200s. Seen a few in the past.

I find it surprising that very few modern comp boats show up on eBay. There always seems to be quite a few wakeboard boats. The buyer is protected by eBay up to some amount. $50k or so. If the boat is not as advertised, the buyer can walk. The listing can be set up as an auction, a fixed price listing, or simply to field offers and counter offers. The service appears to have caught on with automobiles and leisure craft. Or maybe it's just a matter of volume and the percentage of comp boats is no different than other types of craft. Thoughts? Would you list your boat on eBay? Would you buy using eBay? Why or why not?

Now that there is no difference between drivers, will utopia will be achieved once the cruise control issues are resolved?

What prop is being used with the 5.3? 654?

Thousands of kids and their families are "exposed" to slalom every year at Okeeheelee on their way to the soccer and baseball fields, not to mention the motorcross participants. Has ONE of those families ever taken up slalom skiing in the last thirty years? Price of admittance is any boat ever approved by the AWSA, way less than 15k for a good working example, plus 80 bucks a year and equipment. Given some of the vehicles they arrive in, money doesn't seem to be the problem. Just food for thought.

@OB1 Never shy with disclosure, what did you pay?

Price? We know what everybody pays for their home, but the boat in the garage is always a guarded secret for some reason.

Hated the concept ever since I waited tables. I wish more restaurants would disallow it and stop putting the burden of paying their employees directly on the customer. Put the true cost on the menu. Genius from a manager's perspective. Never has to have a wage discussion with the staff. Barely tolerable in the service industry. Cheapens the experience anywhere else. My desire to keep my job is enough motivation to provide good service. Tipping is demeaning in some parts of the World and is a tradition that should die. Unless, of course, you're trying to make time with the bartender, server, or blackjack dealer. Their affection can be bought and you can kid yourself that they are into you even though they are half your age. And if it makes you feel special to throw money around, may I suggest the Salvation Army.

Zero Off has a RPM mode. Found on rec screen. Attempts to keep specific RPM like PP Classic, just a lot better at it.

@Wish @6balls Is the wake an issue at 35 off and shorter? And what about AWSA approval? I know it had approval in the past.

@drewski32 All plus settings load quicker than all non-plus settings. C+ quicker than B+. And all plus setting have a maximum g-load greater than non-plus setting. 2+ greater than 1+. Clear as mud right.....And plus settings have a faster gate speed than non-plus settings, 1.6% greater than target compared to 0.75% greater. Isn't this fun....I'd rather just ski. How about ZO with only an on/off button....

Of the four, I can't imagine picking anything but the easiest/best boat to drive. If you can pick the driver or the boat, but not both, I suggest you pick the driver. If you can't always be picky about the driver, the 200 is by far the way to go. All the new boats are good enough that the driver will be the biggest variable and the Nautique does the best job controlling that variable by a landside. Is there anyone out there, if forced to ski behind a mediocre driver, that would choose anything besides the 200???......

Down to five. http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18780089/2421-SW-46TH-AVE-Fort-Lauderdale-FL/

@swc5150 Might want to check your prop. Shouldn't be getting anywhere near 4400 with a 654. That's an incredible amount of slip. Maybe you normally pull Refrigerator Perry through 41...

From a skier's mental perspective, probably best to keep driving out of your head, but to think it doesn't affect performance is to live in a world in which i am not familiar. If you struggle with 22, 39, and even 41, there are many talented "ski school", hopefully non-tournament, drivers that will get you through the pass. If you are prone to live in a thick bubble, i can guide you to these magic makers. I have seen and felt their skills. I remember the 41 specifically. The gentleman's practice pb stands at 3 if you ask him, but he got all six that pass. It is not only a weave. The truly skilled will adjust based on what the line is doing. Not to this extreme, but a version of it can be done within tolerance. And it's obvious on boat path review and the powers that be are aware.

All these character references, and I know no one and know nothing, reminds of a discussion with Warren Buffet where the panel was praising his ethics and character. Buffett said, to paraphrase, "Let's not get carried away. My life is great. I have everything I need and want. How do you know I wouldn't rob the 7/11 if i needed to feed my family?"

Hosts and moderators almost always can break the cloak of anonymity. They have tools and "skills." And others usually can use the mosaic theory to figure things out. Believe it or not, a more than soft condition of my employment is not to post on online forums unless an alias is used or i can choose to keep my posts "informational" only. Some reasons why previously mentioned. And at least those susceptible to being bullied can share an opinion without fear. Is that a bad thing?

Never? Thinking that might be a little romantic.....

The truth begins to trickle out. Shocking(not)...more to the story than just the slighted Dawgs with their pitchforks....

The delay seems to have overshadowed whether or not the judge's decision was a good one. There has been a lot of discussion about controversial calls involving buoy count at other tournaments where "everyone" on shore knew the correct score. Is this a similar case? Was there a consensus on shore regarding the claim of distracting lights? The judge was asked to make a decision that could have a huge effect on the event and did. That's why there are judges I guess. Do skiers sometimes just request a re-ride to see if it sticks knowing their chances are slim, similar to a basketball or football player begging for a flag? Rodgers was definitely petitioning while he was still floating in the water after his fall. The video shows him emphatically pointing to shore. Here is the link to the ride in question. Click "Final 4 Women & Mens Elite 8" and the pass in question starts at the 1:22:31 mark. I wonder if there are other angles available. Reminds me of the Monday morning after a controversial Super Bowl call or non-call. Everybody is talking about it at the office and the lines are usually drawn based on loyalties. nautiquebigdawg.com/finals-webcast-2014/

The whole idea of a re-ride is suspect when it turns into a "free play." No one ever asks for a re-ride if the pass is completed. If you want a re-ride because of rollers into two, you shouldn't get a free pull into three to see what happens. Give me flashing lights every time. I'll ski until i complete the pass.

It's an actuarial decision. Much cheaper to pay for the damage than make changes that would reduce the occurrences. Ground handling at all the airlines is similar, if not identical. A lot is even outsourced. Been this way for decades. Maybe there are differences in reimbursements and customer service when damage occurs, but I doubt the chances of damage are much different between airlines.

Maybe golf's lead should be followed, demand quiet from the crowd.

If the goal is get eyes on the events, neither will stand as well alone.