Best tow speed for waterskiing?

[Triton II]

My little brother has just arrived from the UK so we decided to take him out on the boat for a spot of water-skiing. He’s tried before and got up but looked terrible… almost bent over double with his arms bouncing (from the waves/wash crossings) straight out in front (he listened to the “keep your arms straight at all times” lecture). This time he got up first hit and after settling down he started to straighten his back and looked almost normal. He hung on as if his life depended on it and managed 20 minutes without falling even though it was pretty rough. We were doing between 15 and 20 knots, he was skiing using a pair of 67” combo skis. My question is:<br />Is this the best speed or should I go a little faster to give him more stability or slower to help make the turns easier?<br />Apologies if this question has been answered before but I did a search and found nothing.

 

[tylerin]

Re: Best tow speed for waterskiing?

I ski 32 mph. My buddies prefer 27 or so. I don't know the competition speed used. My son wakeboards at about 15mph. Wakeboarding requires less speed. Your brother needs to lean back a bit more.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: Best tow speed for waterskiing?

If I got a pair of skis on I like low twenty's keep the wake some what large and I enjoy jumping it. Salmon around 30. With new skiers, I found patience is needed the most. Had a budy who after 2 hours of trying just gave up, and declared water sports where not for him.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Best tow speed for waterskiing?

Thanks, I'll try going a bit faster next time (maybe up to 25kts) and suggest he leans back a bit more. I'd love to get him comfortable on two skis then try to get him up on one.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Best tow speed for waterskiing?

30 MPH= 26 Knots. <br /> If the water is rough I ski about 27 mph. If its like glass I ski between 33 and 35 mph. Hope this helps.<br />Bassy

 

[Triton II]

Re: Best tow speed for waterskiing?

Great info, thanks. He's pretty good at staying up on two but it'd be nice to get him out really early when it's glassy... trouble is he's a party animal on holiday so getting him up in time before the glass disappears is a tough call!

 

[JB]

Re: Best tow speed for waterskiing?

To Boating Activities.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Best tow speed for waterskiing?

Speeed is not the issue, form is. You can always make up for poor body position with speed. The perfect position should look as if he were sitting in a chair, feet planted firmly on the floor. Ankles should be directly under the knee, not in front of them. Shoulders should be directly above, or slightly behind the hips. Thighs should be nearly level with the water surface. Not only will you find this position more stable, it will be less tiring.<br /><br />Get the position perfected, and then experiment with speeds to see what the skier likes.