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I love these skis. Union is awesome. Vector is worth it. The Prime bindings are ok--but seem like a rip when comparing the the Vector. Boa is sweet if you want to spring for it.

As a current Katana owner, I've wondered about these skis. I used to ski on the Theory, and when that was damaged I replaced it with the Katana. The Katana seems like a fine ski--perhaps more stable when flat, as you mention. And then people complained and they reintroduced the Theory as the Union. Katana and Union have same basic construction and surface area. Now they have replaced the Katana with the Terrain? Perhaps a smoother turning Katana? Seems like the Terrain and Union are very similar skis.

Are the 2022 Senate models changing to the new Vapor shape as well—just a bit wider?

@ALPJr HO Blast have crap bindings--she is currently using the nicer HO combos but those also have crap bindings.

Jumpers! Yes! @BraceMaker funny enough I was just looking at those bindings--now I need to figure out how to mount them--I don't think her skis have inserts. Probably a call to Wiley's.

Those Connelly front adjustable look pretty nice--but I need to figure out how something like that would mount to the skis...

I will also say that seat heaters are AWESOME. And easy to maintain!

Cheers--my wife loves to ski with combos--and she weighs 110 pounds. She has been using a pair of HO 61" combos, but she hates the bindings--they rely on velcro across the top of the foot/ankle that tends to come undone when wet/under any pressure. She despises horse-shoe style bindings. What are my options these days? Is there such a thing as a decent pair of smaller combos with decent bindings? Outwardly, this seems like a silly search, but a happy/engaged wife and daughters means more time on/behind the boat for me.

That's a pretty fun idea--most alpine-ski carry methods I've seen follow the top tube--something that wouldn't work here without removing the binding. I'd say to try fixing a slalom ski on a rear-rack vertically using bungees/zipties and see how you like the ride with that ski up in the air.

Probably a hull-splash made boat?

The weak link on hubs--even those with Bearing Buddies, is the inner seal. These can actually be damaged by pumping too much grease into the hub. Bottom line, pump in a little grease according to use, and service them every few years.

Bentonville? Good spot. I've never been to a Walmart, but I love what the brothers have built.

Or even the Union or Session. You can have fun skiing the course at slower speeds with either.

Confirming what was mentioned above—the stuff made overseas will be erratic—so the lower end skis and clothing, etc, might be slow this year.

I’d say the sporting goods market has really benefited from trickle-down material-science advancements from the aerospace and military industry. We have access to materials now that allow designers to specify flex and twist independently, etc. My guess is that shape and bevel are the major differences between skis now. So—is this year’s ski way better than last year’s? No. But there is no comparison to a 10 year-old design. I’m no ski designer—but I have experience in the alpine and bike world—where material progression has slowed down in the past few years.

I’ve read so many of these posts—lace boots that are too tight. I know some people love the old-school style of the high wraps like Wiley’s or similar. I use a Vector Boa—and I loosen and tighten every time. But I always take care not to go tight.

I often ski behind a Volvo 4.3. When the boat is heavy with gas and people, getting up requires careful technique and sometimes an easy-up handle. I always deep water start with my rear foot in the strap. Keeping the ski at a good angle for getting up while allowing boat acceleration is much easier for me with both feet connected. Getting up behind a DD or VD much easier.

As mentioned, you are asking for something that is quite special Budget: Any 22+ v-drive is going to be costly. That’s a big boat. Why do you need this much size? In general, small boats are better for skiing and larger boats are better for surfing, purely from a displacement basis. Also, do you have a truck to tow the big boat? Sports: any boat can tube. Skiing and surfing are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Most boats built for both are not great at either. Have you skied in the course? Or are you more rec/open water minded? Surfing—as mentioned, how do you feel about suck-gates and large bags of water on a seat/floor of your boat? The more money/newer the boat, the more likely these are hidden and somewhat automated.

I was hoping that BoS could avoid politicizing the pandemic, but alas, nothing is safe these days.

Fun watch for sale elsewhere--designed to measure boat speed in the course. shop.hodinkee.com/collections/vintage-watches/products/1969-longines-water-ski-chronograph-ref-8226-4#

There is some crazy in this thread.

Radar Union, Katana would both be good. HO Evo, Omni, and Freeride. All good at different speeds for different things.

Yep I understand the chart. The Union and Katana seem to be awfully close in every dimension. Must just be a shape difference. Or people were upset about the missing Theory and didn’t really buy the Katana so they reproduced it based on the current comp ski.

Ha. After reading this I went to check out our lightly used open-water ski with a Vector boot. Torn heel as well ?. Might be time for a new brand.

I’m still wondering where the Union fits compared to the Katana.