dtm

Let's remember that these "alternative" tournaments were introduced as the "antidote for tournaments that SUCK". Maybe Goode has partnered with the wrong side.....maybe not. For a title sponsor and/or governing body not react to this conflict, would have been negligent. Blaming them for this situation is unreasonable.

@Sethski -any significant changes to the 2016 GT, from the 2015? I rode the 2015 and it didn't work as well for me, as my Prophecy. Also, it seems that the Connellys' marketing of the ski is directed to 36mph skiers. How's that translate for the 34mph skiers?

Any feedback on the new ZO single puck and software update. Needing to replace a puck on a 5.7 SN200 and wondering how it's working on the "old" motors. Thanks,

I've taken mine out, ground out the rusted area, took it to a muffler shop, and had them weld in some plate material. I think I gave the welder @ $40. Repainted the pan. So far, so good. I did the removal and installation myself.

I've had two boats with oil pans that have rusted through, and heard of several others. May check near the bottom of the pan.

Reach your hands slightly up and toward the pylon to begin the rotation/turn in. This will allow room for hips to "rotate" under the line, and stay over your feet. With your arms so close, you're forced to fall back to get under the line....unless you're Andy.

I'm looking for a 2013 (orange graphics) 68". If anyone has one to sell, PM me. Thanks,

Thanks. I've looked at the whole ski....looking for anything that has changed. Everything appears to be good. I even tried a different ski (same model) to make sure it wasn't the ski. Both did the same thing. I'm skiing @ 34mph, into 38'. 68", 2.520, 6.830, .740, 8 degree wing upside down. Front binding is at stock distance (can't recall exactly what that is, but somewhere @ 29+7/8's.

Water has warmed up a bunch and I'm having trouble with my ski "hunting" like crazy in the glide for the gates, and even when gliding to a stop after a pass. Connelly Prophecy. Any suggestions/solutions?? -Changing skis not an option at this time. Thanks,

@kelvin @jcamp .. thank you! Good information! FWIW....In my opinion, this method of a floating, rolling, moving, system of ranking skiers into "levels" is not an encouraging method of qualifying new skiers for the larger events.

@leonl I'm trying to determine whether or not it is wise, for me and some friends, to schedule to fly across the country and attend/ski at Regionals and Nationals. Not everyone (including me) is comfortably situated well above the current "bar" for the different levels. If I understand the "rolling 12 month" filter, there are going to be scores that may influence a skiers' ranking today, but won't be usable for qualification in this years' Regionals and Nationals. It seems to me, that for the same reasons, the "bar" could possibly move for the different levels.

@mattp OK...That's how I understood it. The problem is that the standings for "The last 12 months" are not accurate for determining your position in this somewhat complex system that exists. Even if you do the math to determine your own buoy count, you can not determine where the bar exists for the different "levels". Am I wrong??

@mattp -Thanks! So...my ranking (which is using at least one score from the "2014 Ski Year") is usable for qualifying for this years' Regionals/Nationals?

I've tried to get the current rankings for the "2015 Ski Year". The USA Waterski site gives this message: "Ranking Recalculations are currently underway For the Ski Year requested. Please try your request again in a few minutes. We apologize for the temporary inconvenience." -This message has been up for a few weeks. I can get the results for "The last 12 months", but don't think these would be applicable for the Regionals and Nationals. Anyone know where to find current standings. Thanks,

Water looks fine to me. Try a smaller wing with less surface area. Also, can try the wing positioned higher....on top of mounting screws.

Didn't notice Will's ski, but it sure looked as if Joel was on a Prophecy -and not the GT. May be related to whatever reason the GT has yet to be released.

I agree that the INT model needs to be looked at for ideas on getting/keeping newer skiers into the AWSA. From my perspective, the attraction of the INT tournament has less to do with the lowered standards and more to do with the attention to the details in creating the "inviting and welcoming" atmosphere. Every INT event I have been to has been well structured in regards to having the site prepared to look like an event, sound like an event, and treat the contestants as if they are they are the most important asset to the success of the event. There are banners, sound systems, announcers, awards, vendors, etc.. Often times (from my experience) the AWSA events are subdued, silent, ultimately tough to tell that an "event" is ongoing.

Thanks for the replies! I did check, and verified that the plate was moving, with the short movement of the handle. The whole assembly does seem a little loose, and there appear to be some missing nylon washers/bushings at the plate. This issue has definitely gotten worse over time (currently @ 450 hours). Haven't been able to find a good diagram online to determine what's missing.

Anyone have a solution for a Hydro Gate lever that moves back by itself? Mine is constantly sliding back, about an inch from the forward/Slalom position. Also, seems to be some missing nylon bushings...don't know if this is cause. Thanks,

It's great to see the demonstration by someone with so much talent run the longer line lengths. -Interesting that he leaves both hands on the handle for his gate @ 34.

Generally what I've seen skiers get is called "Golfer's Elbow". This is on the inside of the elbow, "Tennis Elbow" is on the outside (there are medical terms for both). It's usually on the arm that is turned palm up in your grip. I had it pretty bad last year. I got rid of it with icing and a "fleXtend" Restore orthotic glove. Pretty amazing product and they give you detailed exercises to do for the specific condition.

I believe the "Internal Settings" are only for Stargazer, and not the latest Z box software.

We had a similar problem with a Stargazer system in a 97' ProStar 190. After inverting the tach reading, the pull was consistent without a skier, but was horrible skiing @ 34 and 36mph. It would slow down way too much into 1, then race away the rest of the course. We ended up having to go in and make dramatic changes to the "Internal Settings". Perfect Pass was very helpful in supplying instructions on how to access and change, but not so much when it came to advising on some numbers that would work. Internal settings on our system are for "Ball 1", "Ball 3", and "Ball 4 to Exit". There's different numbers for light skiers, heavy skiers, 34, 36, etc.. Generally the default numbers were @ 10, 60, and 30, respectively. We arrived at numbers that were real close to 20,20,20. These are working very good, but it's a bit disconcerting why we have to be so far away from "stock".

Couple of things....I know a guy that owns a "ski" shop, selling snow skis, water skis, wakeboards, etc.. He has noticed a significant decline for the demand for wakeboard gear, and an increase for slalom. One of his thoughts was that the adults that are supplying the boats were getting injured and unable to continue boarding. -I have gone to several INT events and seen the large wakes posing more of an impediment to performing tricks than it was an enhancement....for 95% of the boarders. Secondly, I'm not sure that I see the big wake boat market as a necessary partner for the long term success of the towed watersports community, or more specifically the AWSA. How long is it going to be before all motor boats are forced off of public waterways due to the damage and chaos created by the ridiculous wakes? And how long will it be before the private lake owners come to the realization that the damage caused by the boats far outweigh any benefit? An article in a recent WaterSki magazine suggested that we "work with" the big wake boats as a coalition to protect our water rights, but noted that the big wakes were the root of most of the opposition to our rights. Does this make sense?

I agree. I don't think there is any device/system that can prevent that type of compression injury to your front ankle.