Need adivice for a new slalom ski

[slalomskiing31]

I am wondering what I should look for in a new slalom ski? It will be used for running in the slalom course but not in competition.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

Need more info:

What Brand, model, size, and binding set up are you skiing on currently?
How long have you been skiing?
What boat speed and line length do you typically ski?
What type of boat are you skiing behind?

 

[slalomskiing31]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

I need a 64" ski

I skiied for 4 years

I want a rear boot....Pros and cons?

the is a 70'-75' line @ 30mph

I ski behind a Sea Ray 185 outboard With ski pylon

 

[skibrain]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

A 64" ski for 30 mph is the correct size for a skier weighing approx. 120 lbs.

If you know the brand and model of the ski you have skied on the most, that is helpful as a point of reference.

Double boots hold you rear foot in position more securely and can help with control. There are pro-level skiers who use a rear toe strap so it is really a personal preference, and not a requirement to advance in your skills.

A guy named Andy Mapple for one:

Most double boots are tighter and a taller design that makes them more difficult to put on - a consideration if you don't have a ski platform at the back of your boat to stand on. I don't know of anyone with a correct-fitting double boot that can put their ski on in deep water. It usually requires some sort of binding lubricant and a level place to stand while putting on the ski.

You can be creative and make it work. Some boats have enough floor space so you can put your ski on in the boat, sit on the edge and swing you ski over. An outboard boat I owned for a number of years had enough space on a rear deck that I could spread out a towel and stand holding the pylon...then fall off the back of the boat into the water.

 

[slalomskiing31]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

I have only used HO ski's, I dont have a "great" place to put on a ski but it works and I have binding lube for my wakeboard.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

Still kind of limited info from you, but a couple of great-skiing options I would recommend are the Connelly Concept or D3 Custom X, (being replaced this fall by the X3) Either of these have a reputation for being very forgiving and responsive skis that would take you to what ever level you aspire to. I believe they are each available in a 64" that you say is the size you need, and can be purchased with double boots. Prices new are $500 to $1,000 depending on what you do for bindings.

If you don't want to spend the cash for a new ski, I would check out ski-it-again.com
Try a search and you'll find there are 18-20 smaller skis listed.
Category: Slalom
Description Keyword: 64

At the top of the results list is a pretty good looking used O'Brien Siege for $100.

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&postid=11962

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

I only have the best stuff to say about ski-it-again. I just picked up a pristine 2005 HO Triumph 69" for $100 and some HO Animal front/rear boots for another $100. $200 for equipment that doesn't hardly look used is less than half of what I would have had to pay for new.

 

[slalomskiing31]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

Would a 800$ ski be better the a 550$ ski? I found a ski at ski it again, It is a HO 64" revolt. What would be a good set of bindings?

 

[skibrain]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

maybe

 

[skibrain]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

saw this description online....The HO Revolt is a high end waterski for kids, juniors and groms alike. It is 63.5" in length and is ideal for skiers up to around 125#. The HO Revolt is based off of a similar platform to the HO Monza but has a softer flex pattern for lighter skiers at slower boat speeds....

For bindings, HO Animals or HO Venoms or HO Levels should work depending on size available. Go to the HO website, or somewhere online that sells HO skis and bindings. Figure out what size you need based on the charts, then order them new or search for the same thing used.

Slalom skis generally have binding inserts. This is a pattern of holes built into the ski that the bindings mount to. The pattern of holes is sometimes different between ski manufacturers so it is safest to match binding brand to ski brand.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Need adivice for a new slalom ski

I would also mention that the binding type you get can change a lot of factors. The HO Venoms are good, and are universal for whatever foot you have forward. The HO Animals are foot-specific, so make sure you get the correct front binding for whichever foot you put forward, and the correct rear binding if you do a rear boot instead of a toe plate. The Animals don't curve necessarily, but they have arch supports built into the footbed which is mainly what makes them foot-specific.

If you want a decent set of bindings, look at wileyski.com as well. The Wiley's bindings are a bit cheaper than most other new bindings, and will fit a vast majority of skis.