Slalom Ski Recommendations

[BigBoatinOkie]

Hi guys. I recently started slalom skiing and I have some questions about skis. I've been just kicking off a ski since I just started, but I'd like to start trying to do deepwater starts on the slalom ski pretty soon. I'm 6'3" 260 lb, my boat is an '84 Wellcraft 18ft. I/O with Chevy 305 228hp, Aluminum 4-blade 18p prop. This should be plenty of power to pull up a guy my size I would assume. Right? I've been using some pretty cheap HO combo skis from Academy, and I was wondering if I would benefit from getting a better quality slalom ski. I read that a guy my size should use a 69" or 70" ski especially if doing deepwater starts. Is that accurate? It seems like the real slalom skis are all pretty dang expensive, so are there any decent slalom skis out there for a reasonable price? I wouldn't mind paying a higher price to get a good ski, but is it even worth it for such a newb to be looking for a better ski at this point? Would a better quality ski make it any easier to progress. Any info would be a big help. Thanks

 

[SeanT]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Okie, this just got posted in that other thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showpost.php?p=2796532&postcount=9

It sounds like good advice to me. I'm 6' 5" and 300 pounds. I already have a set of Connellys so if I were going to get a slalom ski I'd probably look at one like that HO in 71". I'll get one eventually, once the budget allows. I'm fairly satisfied at the moment kneeboarding and wakeboarding though.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Thanks. I ran across a ski called Big Daddy from Connelly. At first glance it doesn't look like it would cut at all, but I read several reviews that said that it cuts pretty good because of the parabolic shape. It's got me kinda curious. I'm certainly not going to be doing any competition type skiing. I wish I could try out some different skis before I drop that kinda dough on one.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Is there a ski shop anywhere near by where you could demo some different equipment? I'm not talking about Sports Authority, Bass Pro, ****'s, Wallmart or most boat retailers that might have a rack of a few skis, but actually a place you could try on some different bindings, get some advice, etc.?

Yes you will notice a difference skiing on a dedicated slalom ski. whether a wide-body, mid (wider than standard but still more surface area) or just a longer traditional slalom ski.

1. The bindings are mounted further forward on a slalom (vs. a combo set with a rear toe strap)
2. There is generally more overall rocker to the ski shape
3. Bottom of the ski is designed so the ski rides on edge better with better bevels and bottom concave/tunnel.

If you don't have access to a local shop, there are some great online resources like these shops where you could call and ask them what they recommend. Some will do a demo if you buy a ski from them - might be kind of pricey still. Sometimes they have demo equipment you can buy at a discount, or discontinued models. OR you can take their advice and then look for comparable stuff on eBay or you local craigslist.

If you have a big foot, you will need to look for XL binding.

www.wileyski.com

www.h2oproshop.com

www.perfski.com

Here is a Connelly Big Daddy on eBay if you go that route:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Connelly-Super-...cmd=ViewItem&hash=item5d29ff41fa#ht_691wt_882

This is my favorite used ski site.

www.ski-it-again.com

It is not a bidding site like eBay, and the sellers are usually the people who own the gear and you can discuss via email. Most of the equipment however (currently about 400 skis listed) is higher end, smaller than you need, and has competition-type double boot bindings (which usually require a platform to stand on to get them on, binding slime, etc...you can not just jump into the middle of the lake and then put on your ski.) I did a quick look for you and saw nothing currently listed that is a 69" - 71" size ski in a mid or wide design.

HO Magnum 71" May be a good option for you. It would cut better than the Big Daddy. (this ski is also sold as a Charger 69" or a Burner 66"...confusing that they name it differently. I think you want the big one)

Kind of a long post. My theory has always been - buy a couple of skis used, try them and resell what doesn't work.

Oh yeah, your boat should work fine power wise. Most people slalom way too slow. Once you get on a better ski 28-30 mph is really better. The boat wake is smaller, the ski will hold an edge better, less spray in the face, you are forced to stop riding the tail so much, etc. etc. Personally I prefer 35-36 mph but I have about 38 yrs of practice on you.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Wow, great info man. Thank you very much.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Yup ditto here. The big boys thank you!

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

I've heard many times little guys saying "aw c'mon man, you just don't know what you're doing. I used to slalom behind my dad's old 50 horse evinrude all the time." An extra hundred pounds makes a huge difference. It's just way harder for us big fellers to have fun on average equipment.

 

[prop*buster]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

I've heard many times little guys saying "aw c'mon man, you just don't know what you're doing. I used to slalom behind my dad's old 50 horse evinrude all the time." An extra hundred pounds makes a huge difference. It's just way harder for us big fellers to have fun on average equipment.

I hear you.
In my late teens I used to "pop" out of the water, now i hold on for dear life untill I level off........

 

[skibrain]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

I suppose a direct correlation would be if you are 30-35% heavier than me, you'd need a ski with 30-35% more planing surface. I'm on a 66" ski. Not many 100" slalom skis out there so wider helps.

Here is a cool retro wood Maherajah 70" slalom ski. (Steve Maher is still making wood slaloms and racing skis)

http://cgi.ebay.com/70-Maherajah-7-...ps=63&clkid=7035619514129965453#ht_7373wt_657

HO also made a HO Radius slalom...these are below the Magnum model performance-wise (sized as 1s, 2s, 3s). HO Radius 3s is the largest at 68" and is pretty wide. I sometimes see those around used but I'm pretty sure they are discontinued.

This may be the newer version of it called the HO Rival? Here is one on closeout. 2007 ski $199:

http://www.waterskiworld.com/specials/ski_closeouts/ho_waterskis/ho_waterskis_2.html

An even Larger ski is the Connelly Big Easy (since replaced by the big Daddy). This sold around 2001-2002 and looks a bit more like a wake board. 65" long and 11.5" wide almost all the way to the back with a total of 700 sq. inches of area. I have no clue if this link is a current web posting. I almost bought one of these two years ago because they looked like they would be a blast for slow skiing, wake jumping etc.

http://www.reelreports.com/store/Connelly-Big-Easy-Water-Ski-280527864285.html

Disclaimer: I have not ridden any/many of these wide skis so these are more links to what is out there and what I have read other's say about them, than my own personal endorsements.

Now get out there and pick something up and report back how it works for you!
Post MUST include photos of you ripping it up on the new ski.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Now get out there and pick something up and report back how it works for you!
Post MUST include photos of you ripping it up on the new ski.

Yes sir!

Thanks so much for your help man. You really must have a ski brain.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

I've had a couple of the bigger skiis. I had the Connelly Little easy, which was a fun ski but it wasn't capable of a hard turn much over 28 mph. One of my current skiis is a KD powercarve, which I love and is capable of running through a course (at around 32). The KD powercarve came in bigger guy sizes. KD is gone, but you can still find some old stock.

 

[WildH2Oskier]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

I have to vote for the HO Magnum. My brother bought one back in the early 90's and we have taught no telling how many people how to ski on it. I have seen several people learn on those new parabolic shapes also, the science makes sense on that design so I can't knock them. You can usually pick up a good used Magnum on e-bay and save some coin to put towards boat gas.

 

[dalecover]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Have to give a thumbs up for the Big Daddy. I bought mine 4 years ago and love it (6'1, 240). It carves as hard as I can push it.

Like someone else above mentioned, if you have a nice boat/ski shop that will let you try them out, go that route.

My local dealer allows you to rent up to two - slalom skis, combo sets, wakeboards, etc (pick two from the group - mix & match as desired) - for a week for $25. Then, when you find what you like, and want to buy, they apply ALL of the money you've spent renting towards the purchase price. I tried several smaller slaloms before I tried the big daddy, also tried some different combos, and a couple wakeboards for the kids. In a month I had spent $100 renting, but then they took that $100 off the price of my ski, which I actually bought when they were selling off their rentals at the end of the year for about $100 less than original price anyway.

I'd be willing to try others, but I know that the wide body and overall surface area of this ski are what makes it easy for me to do deep water starts behind my boat, which doesn't plane off real easy.

 

[redgoat]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Hey,
I am 64 years old and can get a deep water start on my 45 year old Cypress Gardens **** Pope combo slalom ski. They are wood with a flat bottom and the front binding is further back on the ski. I bought an O'Brien World Team slalom ski from Overtons and did not like it for two reasons. #1 I could not get up out of the water because the binding was too far forward. #2 the boots are lace up and while they provide outstanding control I fear that a bad fall could end up with a broken ankle or torn ACL. So be careful. My old Cypress Gardens get me up and at my age that's pretty darn good! Also, I find that if I just put my right foot in the binding and drag my left foot until I get on top of the water and then put my left in the rear I have little problem getting up. Believe me it takes a powerful boat and a lot of one leg control to get out of the water on one foot.
Paul

 

[SeanT]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

You rock, sir.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Redgoat, you sir are the man.

I tried some deep water starts on one ski this weekend, and it was an epic failure. I never even got close to getting up. I was on a 67" combo ski, but it's pretty wide so I thought I might have a chance. I did not. I have learned on thing for sure though....I suck.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

Hey,
I am 64 years old and can get a deep water start on my 45 year old Cypress Gardens **** Pope combo slalom ski. They are wood with a flat bottom and the front binding is further back on the ski. I bought an O'Brien World Team slalom ski from Overtons and did not like it for two reasons. #1 I could not get up out of the water because the binding was too far forward. #2 the boots are lace up and while they provide outstanding control I fear that a bad fall could end up with a broken ankle or torn ACL. So be careful. My old Cypress Gardens get me up and at my age that's pretty darn good! Also, I find that if I just put my right foot in the binding and drag my left foot until I get on top of the water and then put my left in the rear I have little problem getting up. Believe me it takes a powerful boat and a lot of one leg control to get out of the water on one foot.
Paul

I slalom on a Cypress Gardens "Banana Peel" wood ski every now and then. I think it measures about 72" and is rediculously easy to get up on. I have gotten up on a modern 67" combo ski many times, but I really struggle unless the runabout has a decent V8. Had no issues behind a 215HP jet ski, either, lol. The Banana Peel would pop me up behind a 75HP O/B with ease. I still think length is a bigger issue than width most of the time, but binding position is always a factor, too.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

At 260, you doing a deep water on a 67" ski is sort of like me at 165 doing a start on a 45" ski. Give yourself a break. Until you get a bigger ski, get up on two and drop a ski if you want to slalom, and focus on having fun.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

BigBoatinOkie - I tried the same thing last week, on probably exactly the same ski, and had the same epic failure.

I just wanted to feel how complicated it was. It definitely was. I was especially surprised by my brain asking, "Um, hey wait a sec here. Which side of the ski do you want the rope to go on...glub glub glub (which is me drinking lake)"

 

[Jug1489]

Re: Slalom Ski Recommendations

So I only read your initial post so I may be way late, but here's my two cents. Pulling up from behind an IO for a guy your size will be no walk in the park. Most nice slalom skis have a skinnier back to them as opposed to one of a set of combos. That will make it more difficult to pull up as there will be less surface area at the bottom of the ski in the water. Having a ski that is designed for slalom skiing is definitely the way to go. You'll be able to cut harder and it will make the experience much more enjoyable. If you're not wanting to spend too much money I'd suggest waiting around and buying an old used slalom ski. You can get an old one for a pretty good price and I certainly can't tell a couple hundred dollars worth of a difference between an old one and a new one... There isn't anything wrong with dropping one as long as your cutting hard!