Ski rope length preference?

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

I am curious what lengths of ski ropes you people use. Obviously you guys and gals that run a course use shorter length ropes, but what about for recreational skiing? anybody find it better or easier or more fun to use shorter length ropes? I have always skied with a standard 75' line. I am going to try a shorter length soon just to see what its like. I am curious if anyone has any input on this. Whats your preference? any pros and cons?? :confused:

[MarkP]

I am curious what lengths of ski ropes you people use. Obviously you guys and gals that run a course use shorter length ropes, but what about for recreational skiing? anybody find it better or easier or more fun to use shorter length ropes? I have always skied with a standard 75' line. I am going to try a shorter length soon just to see what its like. I am curious if anyone has any input on this. Whats your preference? any pros and cons?? :confused:
I would just start by removing the first 15’ section and give that a try. Removing the next few sections of rope will put you into the bump in the wake. After that, maybe 32’ off and shorter the wake just disappears.

Have fun

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Is it more fun to ski with 15' shorter rope? Just curious.... I was just wondering if it makes any difference? obviously you go faster.....is it better to just speed up the boat rather than shorten the ski rope??

[MarkP]

To me anyway, the shorter the rope the more solid the pull feels. I like to go way short for at least one run. After that everything longer feels like slow motion.

More fun, You bet..:headbang:

[BrianM]

I don't even own a full length rope. Free skiing I ski 15 off and occasionaly will shorten up a bit just for fun. The wake is better (much narrower) at 15 off. Save the full length rope for the Tube.;)

[USC8791]

Definitely start free-skiing at 15 off. The wake will be much narrower. You'll also have less slack if you happen to get back on the tail and/or pull too long.

[ski_king]

60 for me (15 off) regardless of free skiing or in the course.

[Crash]

15' off for me. I don't remember the last time I've skied with a long line. Less slack in line is the biggest benefit. With a long line, the weight of the rope causes its own slack during the turns. I've been wanting to try free skiing at 43' off, but just the thought of it scares me. :eek3: Affraid I'll hit the swim platform as I cross the wake...its offly short! :D

[Tug]

I agree with the 15' off. Less slack. I don't know if it really matters if your on two skis. For Kneeboard you'll probably want 22-28' off to make it easier to clear both wakes with a jump then lengthen as your skill increases. I'm back out to 75' but using a Thermal wakeboard line (no stretch). For barefooting you'll want 75'- 100' of line. Cheers!
BTW: BrianM, Was in Covington 2 weeks ago visiting family. Wife's from Baton Rouge.

[Bongo]

22' or 28' off. Easier at the cut, with less slack and more pull toward the center. I don't go anything longer than 15' off with anybody; don't even really give them a chance to select the length.

Years ago and many pounds lighter, I used to go deep into the line. It sure made the long line, say 28' off, seem like going in slow motion with lots of room for error and recovery.

As a disclaimer, I've rarely run a course over the past decade. And on the few times I did, I wasn't all that impressive. (Though could get through at 15' and 22' off at 34 MPH; better actually at 22' off than 15'.)

Bongo

[Crash]

I should append my previous post...my daughter ski's at 38 off...but then she's 6 and on 2 skiis. :)

[Bongo]

I should append my previous post...my daughter ski's at 38 off...but then she's 6 and on 2 skiis. :)

Sounds like she's kickin' your a$$! :-)

(Actually, I have a 7 year old daughter and we ski at about the same length.)

Bongo

[Crash]

Have to admit, it sounds cool saying it... :dance:

[Jorski]

I ski mostly at 28 off and 32 off...I don't even leave the first section on the rope but the thing about the shorter lengths is that even while free skiing, it is a much faster tempo and much more exhilirating at the shorter lengths.

It does however, magnify everything, the good and the bad, so drop the boat speed a few miles per hour the first time that you try a new length.

On the older MC's (I have '93) there simply is no wake at all at 32 off.

[André]

28 off in the course right now and i tried 32 off in open water last week for the first time and Jorski is right ,that's a no wake zone,amazing! Everybody that doesn't usually don't ski that short should at least try it once for the feeling of where the Prostar is one of the best boat,shortline slalom wake!!!

[stevo137]

I ski mostly at 28 off and 32 off...I don't even leave the first section on the rope but the thing about the shorter lengths is that even while free skiing, it is a much faster tempo and much more exhilirating at the shorter lengths.

It does however, magnify everything, the good and the bad, so drop the boat speed a few miles per hour the first time that you try a new length.

On the older MC's (I have '93) there simply is no wake at all at 32 off.

This is my 93' @32 mph. I will agree that 28-32 off is butter but 22' off range puts you right in the tail which can be frustrating.

[Jorski]

**This is my 93' @32 mph. I will agree that 28-32 off is butter but 22' off range puts you right in the tail which can be frustrating.**

This is my wife's pet peave also...two great solutions though:

1) as you go faster the rooster tail does flatten out...it really isn't much at 36 MPH

2) just go shorter

Better yet...go shorter and faster !!!!!!!

[Brent]

I like to start @ 28off , I'm more likely to run a pass @ 28off then 22off & it leaves me enough energy to run 32off (which take a lot more energy). If you stay on edge thru the wakes 22off it is no big deal , it is more a "too much rope to hang yourself issue for me"! The keys for running 28 & 32 off are going really wide on the pull out & hanging onto the handle as long as possible before each ball (patiance)!

[stevo137]

I have no problem with the tail since I usually ski @ 25-28 off.
The problem is with other average skiers.
Well, they'll just ski at 15 off and if they don't like it, so be it.
I rarely get to ski in a course. When I finally do, I will need to be no shorter than 22 off for starters and that puts me back in the tail again.

[east tx skier]

It's been said, but bears saying again. Go with 15' off for less slack and a narrower wake. We got my 7 year old niece on two skis for the first time this weekend. 15 off was the length. Got her up on the second try!

My father-in-law used to always like the pull at 22' off for free skiing, but didn't like the rooster tail. His solution was to kick the speed up to 38 mph. It was a bit scary pulling him at that speed. Fortunately, he's decided he likes 15' off better at about 32 mph now.

[jimmer2880]

behind my '95 ps190, 22' off at 28 to 32 is much better than 15' off. We free ski at 22 off. In the course, bump back to 15 off. It's amazing how the wakes completely dissapear in the course:D

[Ric]

This is my 93' @32 mph. I will agree that 28-32 off is butter but 22' off range puts you right in the tail which can be frustrating.
It's been said before, but if you are on edge thru the wakes, the bump, or rooster tail really doesn't affect you.
Ever noticed how sometimes it feels like you just got the Brieod launch and the next you cut right through it? I have and it's because I'm a hack and never have the same body position twice.

[east tx skier]

I can relate. Ski school on Monday, followed by a week of skiing, has helped a lot.