ski length question

[ahhudgins]

I've decided to get back into slalom (just free ski) and do less wakeboarding. I only used my old 65" EP ski a few times last summer and I struggled getting up on it this past weekend. Part of my problem was being out of shape due to resting a shoulder injury, and another part is the ski is too small for me now. I'm 6'1" and 185-190lbs and in good shape, so I'm not ready for one of the "Fat Boy" slalom skis.:D

Is there any difference in the width of the same slalom ski in a 65" length and a 68"? I was hoping to go with a 68" ski and gain more surface area for easier starts. When I concentrated on good form, I came right up on my 65". Other times it was a struggle but I had different drivers too.

[dtm]

The difference of total surface area on a 68" ski, compared to a 65", will be significant. It will help a bunch!

[sc00ter_17]

I have 2 Connelly Revolutions that are 2 different lengths 67" and 69". They both ski great but the 69" is easier getting up and works better at slower speeds but once I get up to 34 MPH the 67" performs better. The shorter the ski the faster it will turn and the harder it will be getting up. For your size and weight I would suggest 68"-69" until you are ready to run the coarse.

[TxsRiverRat]

I am 6’00” 185# and I ski on a 67” ski... If you go longer than that, once you get good again, you’re going to wish you had a 67... Your EP is way too small for you and is officially an antique. Get on a 67” mid level ski.

[aquaman]

A 67-68 ski would be a good fit. A 65" in ski was probably on the small side when you got it.

Keep slalom alive. :)

[ahhudgins]

A 67-68 ski would be a good fit. A 65" in ski was probably on the small side when you got it.

Keep slalom alive. :)


Thanks for the input everyone. The EP 65” was the first piece of ski equipment that I ever purchased way back in the early 80s and I skied the crap out of it until a few years ago when wakeboarding became popular. The ski club at our lake dissolved many years ago along with the course and the ramp. I've reached the age that I’m not going to be trying anything new on the wakeboard so I want to get back on the slalom. I thought I was in pretty good shape but I’ve been sore since I got back on the slalom this weekend (feels good).

I’m going to go with a 68” because I won’t be running a course, just cutting behind the boat at my own pace. I think I’ll need the extra length after I turn 50 next year.:(
I think my boat is the only one at our lake that actually pulls skiers….mostly all you see are tubes and wakeboards.

[TxsRiverRat]

I thought I was in pretty good shape but I’ve been sore since I got back on the slalom this weekend (feels good)

Ahhh yes, the dull miserable yet blissful soreness and pains... shoulders, forearms, legs... ....

Love it....:cool:

[mayo93prostar]

even in the same length, you can get different width skis and still not go to the "fat boy' skis. I ski on a 69 inch Connelly F1X and like it very much. It is supposed to be similar to the F1 but it has a wider tail and it is more foregiving. I ski pretty hard in open water and can just run the course at 15 off at 34 mph.

[ahhudgins]

Ahhh yes, the dull miserable yet blissful soreness and pains... shoulders, forearms, legs... ....

Love it....:cool:

I get up every Monday morning with sore muscles and my sinuses all plugged up from barefoot starts and my wife (who doesn't ski) says: "I'll never understand why you keep doing that?" It's worth it.

The brand and performance aren't too important to me. I don't need a high performance ski since I won't be on a course. I just want to add slalom back into my weekends along with wakeboarding, foot'n, and a little trick skiing. I've got my eye on a 68" O'Brien that I think I will get. I'll let you know how it works out.
Thanks again!

[bxroads]

67" Radar Theory.

[ahhudgins]

I got a 68" O'Brien Siege (blem) off of ebay for under $200 delivered.
From my scientific analysis, I’ve determined that my problem is 50% ski and 50% lack of practice. I’ve hardly even put on my old slalom ski the last 3 or 4 years and my form has gone to crap. I got up the first two tries with no problem on Saturday, and then it took me 4 tries Sunday morning. I was so confident that the problem was the ski that I wasn’t using good form on Sunday. I’ve got to concentrate on keeping my front knee bent as far as possible and I pop right up. Hard to believe that slalom was all I ever used to do.

I was surprised that the ski had a solid fin (no holes) and I was also surprised that it cut as well as it did. The faster I got, the more I noticed how my slalom skills have declined over the years. I didn’t keep the ski on edge cutting thru the wakes, the tail popped out of the water a few times, and my turns were very erratic. I still enjoyed the challenge of getting back on the slalom ski over wakeboarding all day long.

[Jorski]

I was surprised that the ski had a solid fin (no holes)

Hmmm...I think that you might want to change that fin. Never seen a ski besides combos with a solid fin.

I just bought my daughter a 64" siege (2010 model) and it came with an adjustable fin with holes etc. Ski is a softer version of the Sixam 2.0

Now the model name "Siege" has been used on a number of different skis based upon various molds of higher performing models, with a softer layup.

Her

What year is it?

[ahhudgins]

Hmmm...I think that you might want to change that fin. Never seen a ski besides combos with a solid fin.

I just bought my daughter a 64" siege (2010 model) and it came with an adjustable fin with holes etc. Ski is a softer version of the Sixam 2.0

Now the model name "Siege" has been used on a number of different skis based upon various molds of higher performing models, with a softer layup.

Her

What year is it?

It's a 2008 blem that was sold as "new", still in the plastic. The ski turned fairly well with a solid fin. Even my 25 year old EP ski had holes in the fin.

[03geetee]

I had a similar question this season (see confession thread) and ended up with these results on a 67" HO legend. I am 6' 2" 225 or so and after I reset my brain a little I popped up for the first time in about 12 years. While I admit your ski may be a little short, the bottom line is if you want to get up, stay in a ball with a good pull you will get up on just about anything.

I say keep the ski try again with a clear head and a good driver and see what happens, just dont try too hard. I was digging in waaaaay too much last year and ended up failing miserably. This time I just relaxed, took the advice of a lot of TTer's on here and just stayed in a ball and let the boat do the work.

Good luck!

JTR

[gr82bgreen]

I got a 68" O'Brien Siege (blem) off of ebay for under $200 delivered.
From my scientific analysis, I’ve determined that my problem is 50% ski and 50% lack of practice. I’ve hardly even put on my old slalom ski the last 3 or 4 years and my form has gone to crap. I got up the first two tries with no problem on Saturday, and then it took me 4 tries Sunday morning. I was so confident that the problem was the ski that I wasn’t using good form on Sunday. I’ve got to concentrate on keeping my front knee bent as far as possible and I pop right up. Hard to believe that slalom was all I ever used to do.

I was surprised that the ski had a solid fin (no holes) and I was also surprised that it cut as well as it did. The faster I got, the more I noticed how my slalom skills have declined over the years. I didn’t keep the ski on edge cutting thru the wakes, the tail popped out of the water a few times, and my turns were very erratic. I still enjoyed the challenge of getting back on the slalom ski over wakeboarding all day long.

I got a 2006 or so Obrien siege this year that was new old stock at a local dealer. I had a high end taperflex apex circa 1980's. I really find this ski very easy to cut on and it is not super fast across the wake, thus more forgiving. I really like it and find it builds confidence. I am your age and 175, lb 5 ft 9. I got the 67. My fin has holes and is ajustable. I, like you find wakeboarding more risky in getting hurt and am really enjoying slalom again after some time off from it.

[Jorski]

I had a high end taperflex apex circa 1980's

LOL! So did I!!!

I liked that ski very much...it replaced my Maherajah.

[gr82bgreen]

LOL! So did I!!!

I liked that ski very much...it replaced my Maherajah.

We are about the same age. Remember the days when everyone slalomed. no wakeboarders or tubers or surfers. It was great. Awe, the good old days when I could ski all day and not worry about being sore the next day. Just time for something newer and more forgiving. But my taperflex will always have a sentimental place in my heart.

[mgorczak1]

HO Freeride Comp - Charger

http://hosports.com/vmchk/WATER-SKIS/Men-s/Comp-Freeride

Nice ski - 69" very forgiving and easy on the body...if your not going to compete...its a nice board. Really have to punch the turns to get a sharp turn and good spray... but great over and thru the wakes...I am 51 6ft fit and 190lbs...

I am using a read toe overlay binding and will probably switch to a boot to get better leverage on turns...

[ahhudgins]

We are about the same age. Remember the days when everyone slalomed. no wakeboarders or tubers or surfers. It was great. Awe, the good old days when I could ski all day and not worry about being sore the next day. Just time for something newer and more forgiving. But my taperflex will always have a sentimental place in my heart.

My lake is down to a handful of ski boats, a few fishing boats, and a butt load of pontoons. About the only water activity you see is tubes, wakeboarding, tubes, people hanging on the boom, tubes, and more tubes. I still wakeboard, trick ski and barefoot a little. I picked up the slalom again to stay in better shape and try to get my kids (18 and 22) interested in skiing again. I'm going to stick with my new 68" O'brien so I can get used to the way it skis, I just need to work on my form and get my drivers to not yank my arms from my shoulders when they pull me up.

[mgorczak1]

My lake is down to a handful of ski boats, a few fishing boats, and a butt load of pontoons. About the only water activity you see is tubes, wakeboarding, tubes, people hanging on the boom, tubes, and more tubes. I still wakeboard, trick ski and barefoot a little. I picked up the slalom again to stay in better shape and try to get my kids (18 and 22) interested in skiing again. I'm going to stick with my new 68" O'brien so I can get used to the way it skis, I just need to work on my form and get my drivers to not yank my arms from my shoulders when they pull me up.

Funny you should mention getting back in slalom to stay in better shape... my friends who just wake tried slalom and #1 did not like the speed even though they can throw and land a scarecrow and #2 did not realize how how much it takes out of you... I think we are going to see slalom make a comeback.....wakeboarding is fun and cool....but nothing beats the grace of a slalom and 10ft spray...