Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

[Fiat4Fun]

Howdy,
Thinking I should try a different slalom ski then my combos. I have not started skiing until three years ago, after 20 year "vacation". Three years ago, we got a boat, V8, 21' 260HP, and I tried skiing with some combos. No problems getting up and out of the wake. Back in the day, 20 years ago, I skied slalom with some ski called wake special, which was a wide ski, and was easier to get up on. So, now, I am thinking of the Big Daddy ski, but we have no demo shop around here, and no dealer, and not sure if there are other options. I am 5'10", 235-240lbs, and 52 years old. Any suggestions on what a good ski would be and what size? I am just skiing for fun, no courses. I looked on the ski-it-again web site, but I have no idea what most of the skis are. What other skis are good for a fat boy like me? Do you know of any good deals out there??

Thanks,
Bob

 

[skibrain]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Connelly make the B-daddy, Pilot, and Outlaw. All wide skis. OBrien sells the Sequence which looks to me exactly like the Pilot.

HO makes the Comp free ride which is also wide. The older HO wide ski is the Radius I believe.

I have not skied on any of them. You can get more planing area (connelly lists square inches) with width or length, or both. A fat ski will be happiest when riding flat, and cruising.

Wileyski.com
H20proshop

Are a couple of stores with great knowledge and would be a better source of info. Craigslist, eBay if you know what u want.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

I think I'd choose length over width (insert joke here). A 69-71" ski of most any performance ski will be about as easy to get up on as something like the Big Daddy, but will likely be much more responsive. The HO Triumph and Charger come in longer lengths that would work just fine. I'm 6' and 220lbs and use the 69" Triumph and have no problem getting out of the water with double bindings and a 20'-260HP runabout. Check ski-it-again.com and you may find a great deal on one.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

See if you can find an older HO Magnum. It still has the traditional shape but is a lot bigger. I found one on the local craigslist for $100. Much easier to get up and a lot of fun once up.

I can't tell you how the new shaped ones ski -- never been one one.

The other option is an additional $100 prop with low pitch for that occasional slalom run.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

If you want a fat ski with pretty decent performance - see if you can find a used KD Powercarve. Pretty decent up to 32MPH

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Thanks for the input
I did find a O Brien Sequence at the local consignment store for $175,
but I was thinking that for the $125 more for a new ski, maybe that is a better way to go?
If anyone sees a good deal on a ski, let me know!!!! I did post a wanted ad on ski it again

I was also thinking of a new rope, and I see these "V" ropes, do they really make a difference?

Any other input is greatly appreciated.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

$175 is with bindings or without? If you can get a brand new one with bindings for $300 - I'd hop on that fast, even the nothing special boot and toe loop on my fat ski was around $250

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

I tried the Big Daddy and didn't like it a bit. It allowed me to do deep water starts but the performance was terrible once I was on top. I sent it back and got a 71" HO Triumph and I love it. Way better performance than the Big Daddy and I feel like I will be able to progress using this ski. I've only been slaloming for 3 summers and I'm 6'3" 270 lb.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

The Obrien ski did have bindings, but I forgot to take a picture of the bindings ;-(
Maybe I will go back and take a look.....
I just watch the promo video on the Triumph, and that looks interesting. Looks like over $400 with bindings.
Is the older Triumph the same ski as the new one? Should I wait to September to see if they go on sale?

Thanks for the advice.......
Bob

 

[skibrain]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

$150 69" OBrien Sequence
www.ski-it-again.com/cgi-bin/photo....640&Height=480&Title=20283 Sequence by Obrien

Have not skied one, but looks like a nice buy.

 

[mbfish]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

The only negative for you when getting a wide ski is the increased width makes a much harder impact when crossing the wake and trying to ski through waves due to the increased surface area. I've only used two wide skiis, but I had a tough time with them both. However, I'm only 175 lbs, not 240. Just something to consider...

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Thanks for all the advice. I still think I need a longer ski, as everything I read, says to go to a 71" ski. Now I am looking at the Radar P6. Anyone have any thoughts on that ski? Is there a difference between a 2011 or 2012 model? I have never heard of Radar, but looks like another option.

Also looking at the boat driving thing. Do you go to full throttle to get the skier up on a slalom ski? Is there a good link for driving the boat to help get the skier up?
Thanks,
Bob

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Radar makes good skis, and have been around for a long time. Anything in the 69-71" area will like be just fine for you I'm sure. I still recommend that HO Triumph though. There's usually very little difference from one year to the next, unless you are an elite tournament skier who can feel the difference. Most changes from year to year are cosmetic (new graphics).

As far as driving the boat, the drive should be trimmed down fully, and as much of the weight forward towards the bow if possible (people, coolers, etc). It helps get the boat on plane quicker. Full throttle should be used, but a smooth delivery is more important. Simply hammering the throttle down can rip the handle out of the skier's hands depending on their strength level and the capability of the boat. The boat should be left at full throttle until nearthe desired ski speed is reached (I recommend 30mph). As the boat comes up on plane, the driver should trim the drive up to increase acceleration, lighten steering, and get the hull further out of the water. A few mph below the desired ski speed, the driver should slowly reduce the throttle to hold the desired speed. Jerking the throttle back will cause the boat to lurch and the rope will get slack, affecting the skier. Smooth power application from start to final speed is paramount.

This HO Mach 1 is a 70" and pretty cheap, too! It is similar to the triumph. It's a blank, so you'd have to go buy some bindings, but that would still keep you under $250 total easily.

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&category=Slalom&postid=20270

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

As the boat comes up on plane, the driver should trim the drive up to increase acceleration, lighten steering, and get the hull further out of the water.

Not sure I agree with that - you're better off leaving the drive trimmed down in an IO to keep as much of the hull in the water as possible it minimizes the amount that the skier drags the boat sideways when you cut.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Not sure I agree with that - you're better off leaving the drive trimmed down in an IO to keep as much of the hull in the water as possible it minimizes the amount that the skier drags the boat sideways when you cut.

Sorry, but the wake is bigger when trimmed down, and you get ridiculous amounts of bow steer in any runabout I've been in when at 26mph+ with the bow stuffed. I have felt the boat lose track when pulling hard on a slalom ski (I'm 225lbs) when skiing behind a 17' bass boat, but on my 20' runabout, I've never felt any real give. At the very least, I would say it's dependent on the boat whether or not you trim, but I personally see little value in leaving the trim down unless you are in a very light boat, especially one with a "pad" towards the stern.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Sorry, but the wake is bigger when trimmed down, and you get ridiculous amounts of bow steer in any runabout I've been in when at 26mph+ with the bow stuffed. I have felt the boat lose track when pulling hard on a slalom ski (I'm 225lbs) when skiing behind a 17' bass boat, but on my 20' runabout, I've never felt any real give. At the very least, I would say it's dependent on the boat whether or not you trim, but I personally see little value in leaving the trim down unless you are in a very light boat, especially one with a "pad" towards the stern.

I pull my 19ft all over the place - (185lbs). Boat steers fine at 32MPH trimmed all the way down - my 5ft 2 wife drives and the boat has no power steering

 

[bmowers]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Radar makes good skis, and have been around for a long time. Anything in the 69-71" area will like be just fine for you I'm sure. I still recommend that HO Triumph though. There's usually very little difference from one year to the next, unless you are an elite tournament skier who can feel the difference. Most changes from year to year are cosmetic (new graphics).

As far as driving the boat, the drive should be trimmed down fully, and as much of the weight forward towards the bow if possible (people, coolers, etc). It helps get the boat on plane quicker. Full throttle should be used, but a smooth delivery is more important. Simply hammering the throttle down can rip the handle out of the skier's hands depending on their strength level and the capability of the boat. The boat should be left at full throttle until nearthe desired ski speed is reached (I recommend 30mph). As the boat comes up on plane, the driver should trim the drive up to increase acceleration, lighten steering, and get the hull further out of the water. A few mph below the desired ski speed, the driver should slowly reduce the throttle to hold the desired speed. Jerking the throttle back will cause the boat to lurch and the rope will get slack, affecting the skier. Smooth power application from start to final speed is paramount.

This HO Mach 1 is a 70" and pretty cheap, too! It is similar to the triumph. It's a blank, so you'd have to go buy some bindings, but that would still keep you under $250 total easily.

SKI-IT-AGAIN.COM

Excuse my ignorance here but I have a question on 'trim Up' and 'Trim down'. I have a Bayliner 175 IO. What exactly is going on when one trims 'up' vs 'down'. Trimming up- Does this raise the IO leg away from the back of the transom and thus lower the thrust line of the prop which in turn raises the bow of the boat? That is my perception of it at this point. Trimming down does this lower the io leg and thus raise the thrust line?
I obviously have not used my boat yet. Just getting ready for next spring and summer.

Thanks

 

[skibrain]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Trimmed all the way down moves the lower unit toward the transom and yes the thrust angle pushes the stern slightly up ( which keeps the bow down ) and helps the boat to get on plane most quickly. Trim up moves the lower unit "up" away from transom. Thrust pushes the stern down and lifts the bow. Not good for hole shot, but once cruising or at speed, this will pick the hull up out of the water for less drag, allowing the boat to move faster at a given rpm.

 

[bmowers]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Trimmed all the way down moves the lower unit toward the transom and yes the thrust angle pushes the stern slightly up ( which keeps the bow down ) and helps the boat to get on plane most quickly. Trim up moves the lower unit "up" away from transom. Thrust pushes the stern down and lifts the bow. Not good for hole shot, but once cruising or at speed, this will pick the hull up out of the water for less drag, allowing the boat to move faster at a given rpm.

Thanks Skibrain

 

[BrianCinAz]

Re: Thinking of getting a "fat" ski?

Thanks for all the advice.
Also looking at the boat driving thing. Do you go to full throttle to get the skier up on a slalom ski?

If the driver punches it out of the hole, the skier will mostly likely dislocate an arm or 2 from the shoulder. Use a progressive, semi aggressive acceleration from the start. It is easier to wait out a slow start than to hang on to a too-quick start.