New slalom ski...help needed!

[oldsquaw]

got my first boat last summer a 190 celebrity with a 5.7 in it, it has a 19 pitch prop, heres the problem, im 6'6" 230 the combo set that came with the boat are nice skis but my boat wont pull me out of the water on just one ski, i have to drop one once up. im also getting a new prop too, a 4 blade 18 pitch. anyway, im looking at a connelly outlaw or an f1x, this ski will be the "boat ski" everyone will be using it wife friends etc. i have a size 14 wife size 8 most of my friends are 190 pounds, all of them are fair skiers like myself. looking for a ski i can grow into, if i have to get another one in a year or two....maybe three, then so be it, but these two skis, from the research ive done, seem to be two of the more popular. what do you guys think? what about the bindings? the adjustable ones seem to be fine with me. the nova plates look more like boots.....do your feet come out when you fall? thanks in advance fellas!

[JohnE]

I ski the F1X and love it. But doesn't sound like you need one that good/ advanced. I'd call the guys at Wileys http://www.wileyski.com/ and ask them for a recommendation. They did a good job of steering me away from what I thought I wanted and into the F1X.

I think given your boat you'd be best served with a high wrap and a rtp. Learn how to get up "dragging" your back leg and then stuff your rear foot in. I can get up behind a very small outboard with that method.

But as you progress I'd find a way to get a boat that can pull you up with 2 feet in the bindings. But for now something is better than nothing.

[oldsquaw]

please go into detail of high rap...rtp. rear toe plate?

[JohnE]

please go into detail of high rap...rtp. rear toe plate?

Slalom ski's used to all have high wrap front boot and either a high wrap rear boot or the rear toe plate. (RTP) There are many offerings in the high wrap, but Wiley's makes their own (or has them made for them) and are very comfortable. Also available are removable boots (hard shell or soft shell) you're not in the need for those. Very few good skiers use a rtp these days, but it might serve you well in your situation. In a hard fall you want either both feet to release or none to release. If one releases it's more likely to lead to injury. When you get to that point you want to upgrade equipment and powerplant.

[oldsquaw]

john thanks for the advice, and for now im going with the two foot release, i had some spectacular faceplants last summer on the slalom, and i anticipate several more show stoppers this year! i have nobody to teach me anything about skiing so each time out is a trail and error method of learning, ill get there...hopefully8p

[JohnE]

have fun, try, fail, grab a beer and have some more fun doing it again.

[mtajpa]

I ski the F1X and love it. But doesn't sound like you need one that good/ advanced. I'd call the guys at Wileys http://www.wileyski.com/ and ask them for a recommendation. They did a good job of steering me away from what I thought I wanted and into the F1X.

I think given your boat you'd be best served with a high wrap and a rtp. Learn how to get up "dragging" your back leg and then stuff your rear foot in. I can get up behind a very small outboard with that method.

But as you progress I'd find a way to get a boat that can pull you up with 2 feet in the bindings. But for now something is better than nothing.

JohnE what size F1X are you skiing what type bindings did you go with. I am thinking of getting one a 67 with double sidewinder bindings. Usually ski free style at 34 and 15 off. No course around here any more.

[JohnE]

JohnE what size F1X are you skiing what type bindings did you go with. I am thinking of getting one a 67 with double sidewinder bindings. Usually ski free style at 34 and 15 off. No course around here any more.


I'm skiing a 68" at 34 mph 15 off with the wiley pro high wraps. 200 lbs. Very happy with the set up.

[maxpower220]

If you are looking for a boat ski that everyone uses, I would recommend a Connelly Pilot (or similar from another company) with adjustable bindings and rear toe plate. First, the Pilot is a wide shaped ski, which is easier to get up on and allows you (or anyone in your boat) to ski at a lower speed. The size of the ski will help your boat get your mass out of the water. The shaped design will help you carve with more ease. This is not a ski to run the course, but very user friendly.
I have one in my boat, it is great for teaching people to slalom and fun to ride in bad water or when tired. After people see me on my Nitro at 34mph, they want to try. Small skis are difficult for water novices.

[mccobmd]

If you are looking for a boat ski that everyone uses, I would recommend a Connelly Pilot (or similar from another company) with adjustable bindings and rear toe plate. First, the Pilot is a wide shaped ski, which is easier to get up on and allows you (or anyone in your boat) to ski at a lower speed. The size of the ski will help your boat get your mass out of the water. The shaped design will help you carve with more ease. This is not a ski to run the course, but very user friendly.
I have one in my boat, it is great for teaching people to slalom and fun to ride in bad water or when tired. After people see me on my Nitro at 34mph, they want to try. Small skis are difficult for water novices.

I have both of those ski's and that assessment is right on. I don't ski the nitro very often because my wife doesn't like to drive that fast unless the lake is empty so I ski the Pilot at about 28 mph. The pilot turns well enough to improve your turns and technique and makes getting up a lot easier.

[Willski]

I was going to recommend the same thing. A larger shaped ski may work best for your style and boat. I have a Connelly Mid SX for a long distance ski event that we do and it is very comfortable and easy to get up on. They don't make it anymore, but sometimes you can find them on e-bay and other places. The pilot is Connelly's current offering. They also have the Big Daddy which is really big!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Waterskis-Connelly-Alt-Series-Mid-SX-w-Bag_W0QQitemZ250558902574QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item3a5679712e

[etduc]

got my first boat last summer a 190 celebrity with a 5.7 in it, it has a 19 pitch prop, heres the problem, im 6'6" 230 the combo set that came with the boat are nice skis but my boat wont pull me out of the water on just one ski, i have to drop one once up. im also getting a new prop too, a 4 blade 18 pitch. anyway, im looking at a connelly outlaw or an f1x, this ski will be the "boat ski" everyone will be using it wife friends etc. i have a size 14 wife size 8 most of my friends are 190 pounds, all of them are fair skiers like myself. looking for a ski i can grow into, if i have to get another one in a year or two....maybe three, then so be it, but these two skis, from the research ive done, seem to be two of the more popular. what do you guys think? what about the bindings? the adjustable ones seem to be fine with me. the nova plates look more like boots.....do your feet come out when you fall? thanks in advance fellas!

Of these two skis, go with the Outlaw. Its design, will make for much easier deep water starts. Also, a softer ski, better for open water skiing. (If you want a sportier ski, you might want to look at the HO Triumph, with adjustable binding. Or one of HO freeride series.)

Because of YOUR size, getting a everybody in the boat ski, not a good idea. The ski length, for you, should be 69-71" long. Now, think how difficult, it would be for someone 140 lbs and size 8 foot, to use your ski.

Nova bindings are good bindings. (Especially for large feet.) Go with a toe plate, on the rear. Most of your balance and control, comes from front foot. So a proper fitting front foot binding, is important.

A toe plate will allow you to make adjustments, to that balance, as you ski. (NOTE: Many pro skiers, still use toe plates.)