first time ski buyer

[robbjunk]

I am a wake boarder that wants to start water skiing. Based on a couple guides I read, I want a 66' long combo water ski, but I am not sure what brand to get to get. Most of the skis I look at do not have reviews. If you know a good water ski below $175, please let me know.

 

[kmarine]

Re: first time ski buyer

I have about 25 years of expierience, I wakeboard also and live on a private lake. Most combo skis are simular. Some people prefer the shorter parabolic skis for beginers. If you are looking to to get into competition slalom skis you will get into big bucks. The main thing is to find the binding you like. If on a budget look into close outs and even ebay for deals on used ski combos. In neighborhoods like mine garage sales offer tons of options as the neighbors kids go off to college and leave town.

 

[skibrain]

Re: first time ski buyer

Correct, there are very few reviews on combo skis. As mentioned above the most obvious differences will be 1. overall shape - either traditional narrower, or the wider which provide a bit more planing area. 2. bindings - most have a single layer rubber with some type of pinch mechanism to adjust the heel cup. More money will get you bindings with an inner layer of foamed rubber for some additional comfort and a bit more support. I think I own 9 pair of combos from 40 yr old wooden, to inexpensive ($100-125 new) fiberglass composite, to top-of-the-line-but-found-at-a-garage-sale-for-cheap models ($40-45). You have to really ski aggressively to notice much performance difference and 90% of skiers on combos don't ski them that hard. So I am a fan of buying stuff used. Get a couple pair, see which you like better and resell the pair you don't like. Or keep both pair and pull two skiers, or if you really start to enjoy skiing, save your money for a better slalom ski.

If you are buying new. O'Brien and Connelly seem to be the most common brands. The O'B Celebrity and Performer models have been around in some form for 20 years and you will likely find used examples on eBay or Craigslist. Here they are new.

O'Brien Celebrity $134
http://www.bartswatersports.com/cat...kis/Obrien_Celebrity_Combos_OR0C31B/index.asp

O'Brien Performers with a bit nicer bindings $179
http://www.bartswatersports.com/cat...ien_Performer_Combo_Skis_2011__BLEM/index.asp

Connelly Cayman $159
http://www.bartswatersports.com/cat...Cayman_Combo_Water_Skis_2011_CL0C22/index.asp

Connelly Eclypse $219
http://www.bartswatersports.com/cat...nelly_Eclypse_Combo_Water_Skis_2012/index.asp

Some of the big box retailers have closeouts this time of year as well.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: first time ski buyer

I generally like the 67-68" combos myself, as you can still use the slolam ski for 180+lbs. guys who occassionally want to go out. 66" slolam skis are a little short for most adult males to get up on. When using both skis in the combo set, no one will notice any difference in 66 vs 68" versions, so you might as well go bigger. I wouldn't pay much attention to buying new combo sets unless you just want them to have flawless graphics on them. Combo skis haven't changed all that much in the past decade or two, as it's hard to find a lot of two-ski enthusiasts.