Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

[mgmidget72]

Hi All,

Just bought my first boat, a 1999 Sea Ray 180 115hp O/B. Skiing is one of the main uses I got it for. Growing up, my parents had a few sets of old skis that I learned on and used until they sold their boat. I have no idea how old these were (one pair was wooden, the other was white with blue stripes) and where they came from. One thing I can be sure of though is that these skis weren't anything fancy and I'm sure my parents paid very very little for them.

That was 15-20 years ago. Locally, there are a few on O'Brien Celebrity sets craig's list for ~$50. What benefit would I see from getting these versus using my parents'?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[capslock118]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

off-topic question: this boat you just bought didn't happen to come from craigslist for $650 with a trailer was it?

we have brand-new skiis from two years ago - with my wife pregnant at the time we didnt get any use out of them. They seemed far better than the skiis my parents had from 20 years ago.

There must not be too much different though. Maybe a different wood structure? or maybe they are not wood anymore? I'd guess they are just painted well now. The skiis my parents had were just stained and varnished - you can imagine what that left them with over the years...

If you are just starting out skiing (if you wern't I figure you wouldn't be asking this question) then benefits may be moot.

 

[mgmidget72]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

Hi Caps-

Thanks for your response. Did you mean to say that it was listed on c/l for $6500 rather than $650? Great to see someone on here from right near by! I'm just over in Milford. Where do you keep your boat?

When you say they were far better, what about them made them better? Did they get up easier, track better, etc...? Just trying to understand how I might benefit from newer skis.

I wouldn't say that I'm just starting out skiing, but I'm not super into it (yet...). I did it a lot growing up, but just recreationally for fun.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[capslock118]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

Thanks for your response. Did you mean to say that it was listed on c/l for $6500 rather than $650?

Maybe, there was a puzzling ad on CL that kinda looked like my boat with a picture taken in the middle of the night:
http://newhaven.craigslist.org/boa/2284247380.html

Great to see someone on here from right near by! I'm just over in Milford. Where do you keep your boat?

Our boat is docked at Harbor Point Marina; that's in Morris Cove of New Haven - other side of the bridge for you and next to lighthouse point. I would guess you are in milford harbor?

When you say they were far better, what about them made them better? Did they get up easier, track better, etc...? Just trying to understand how I might benefit from newer skis.

Purely visual; I guess better because they were new and glossy versus aging and the varnish peeling off?

We unfortunately had not had a chance to use them yet - actually, it's not unfortunate because lack of use was due to my wife being pregnant

 

[mgmidget72]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

Nope! Definitely not mine. Close though since mine was listed on c/l in Branford, but for $6,500 and in much better shape.

I'm in Milford, but am out of the Housatonic.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

Back to your question. I'm a big fan of buying waterski gear (or any sports gear for that matter) for as cheaply as possible. I own 7 sets of combos and a half doz. slalom skis. Ranging from old wooden skis purchased new by my dad in the mid sixties and on their third set of bindings, to a like new pair of HO combos that retailed for $300, but I found at a garage sale for $40. Skinny, wide, flat, tunnel bottom...we've got em all.

A few pictured here:

For combos I think whatever stays on your feet and is large enough to get up on behind your boat will work. The bindings are sometimes much nicer and more comfortable and supportive on newer skis. The tunnel bottoms will make the skis track straighter and have more carving power if you are really cutting aggressively but most people don't ski that hard on two. I've skied on all of the skis pictured above.

My recommendation. Buy skis used or cheap. Buy a couple pair so you can pull two skiers at a time. Have some smaller skiers? Buy a junior or kids pair.

 

[mgmidget72]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

skibrain - thanks for this! sounds like i'll probably just use my parrents' old skis for now and see how they work out.

 

[James H]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

older skiis are not bad for starters as long as they are in good condition.Newer meterials have brought skiis to a whole new level and you could go crazy with the differant designs and applacations for them.It takes a while to find a winner.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

I feel that old wooden skis have a lot less drag, pop out of the water easier, and let you ski twice as long without tiring. You can run a bit slower with them too. The newer tunnel skis will track better at higher speeds, like above 35, and will have nicer boots. I can carve just as hard and sharp on either though. All the people I show skied with never used a concave bottom ski.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

i also learned on old wooden skiis years ago. one set was labbled Bush Gardens and the other i am convinced my grandpa made in the late sixties.

my sister ended up with the bush gardens skiis and i used them about 3 years ago. i have two new sets that i purchased around the same time and i did my version of a comparision test with them;

newer skis felt a little less boyant in the water before take off...maybe because they were more narrow and easier to control
older skiis were easier to "pop up" on but had less control. for a beginner with us, they were the only that he could "pop up" with (maybe because of the lack of tunnel so they didnt track where he was pointing them and were wider...dk)
newer skiis hands down were more comfortable with both the boots and on the bottom of your feet as they had better padding and were a bit more flexible.
newer skiis are easier to carve with but a good skiier can carve with either one. re entry into the wake was definately easier because the skiis were easier to control.

at the end of the day, i will take my newer skiis over the ones of yesterday anytime!! i would however look for used skiis or find them on sale. a $400 set isnt going to make you ski better than a $100 set unless you are a professional going in and out of a course...and lets face it...most of us just do it for fun!

 

[Perlmudder]

Re: Differences Between Newer Skis and Older Skis

I think a lot has to do with the type of skiing you are doing. If you are just wanting to bob around behind the back of the boat on two skis, then it really wont make a huge difference. If you are wanting to go rip up a slalom course then the difference between a new ski and an older ski is huge. I have skied on pretty much every different type of ski around, ranging from a 1960s Cypress Gardens Lil Monster, to an O'brien vision double boot highwrap animal bindings. The difference is night and day. The vision has a concave bottom with mini steps built in and a mini fin on the fin. It doesn't so much like to track straight, but lay it into a turn, hold on, and it will bite and rip you around a buoy like no other. It is extremely tiring to ski on, but it's no meant for a leisurely walk in the park, its meant to kickass and take names.

Here is a GREAT deal on one.
http://medford.craigslist.org/spo/2294232110.html