Wide Ski Problems

[paulie0735]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

I think its time we went back to the original post here, I could be wrong but judging by hiberts early posts it would seem that he's somewhat new to this. if so than leaning to ski on a big easy will be no different to leaning on any other slalom ski. Sounds to me like he's just having trouble getting up as we all did when we started off. Practice and an experienced driver will soon have it sorted out. Good luck.

 

[ramster]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

I bought a set of wide bodied skis thinking they would be easier to get up on, but I have found the opposite. It seems to me the wide body ski wanders around more and hard to keep straight. My wife is a beginer and had much better luck with thinner basic combo skis. I learned my deep water start on a 90's vintage EP comp VS both feet in the bindings. I have tried a bunch a different skis learning and that skinny ski would seem to cut a nice straight path till my speed was fast enough to plane. Now I can ski half decent and have done deep starts on a variety of brands, all thin slalom type skis, just for kicks I went back to the wide body to try it out and I had very hard time keeping it straight, I did get up but found much more difficult, you could ski slower but turning was lousy the ski would skid sideways rather than bite in and turn, those wide bodies will be hanging on the wall for decorations.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

Bought a wide body two years ago. Both my son and I tried to get up on it. Both of us hated it. Returned it the next day.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

Thanks, guys. (and gals?)

Well, after a month of working out - to make sure I wouldn't tire out -I tried that fat ski again, every which way I could. I could not get up on it. My wife got up on the pair of 'em, but two skis scare me to death! Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my OLD wood narrow combo skis, but next trip I'll try both types and see what happens.

Dave

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

How much do you weigh? I'm 48 6' 270 (old fat guy). I have the 72" Connely wake special wide body. I have no problem getting up but the handle pulls out of my hands if I don't wear my gloves. I just dig the tail in and hang on for dear life. The quicker the tow boat gets on plane the quicker I can get up. What do you mean by you can't get up. Do you fall over the ski? Fall back? Fall over side ways? The rope pulls out of your hands? Or are you just draging forever?
I agree that the wide skis handle like a piece of plywood but to me they are easier to get up on and I can ride on mine for miles. If I cut too sharp the ski will slide out from under me. Also I use a deep V rope. The tip goes in the V and comes out when I get up. It keeps the ski straight.
Keep on trying you'll get the knack of it.

 

[wire2]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

When I have a beginner who can't get up at the start, I put a 2nd line out, get in the water beside him/her, explain as we go and hold them by the upper arm. It works 4 out of 5.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

There are so many different ways to get up it's impossible to tell you exactly the "right" way for you. I have been on a slalom for over thirty years and have always drug a foot. I have tried with both feet in and only been abel to do it a few times. I have taught a lot of people to ski that way however. If you drag a foot you need to make sure your arms are fully extended and your head is as close to the tip as you can get it. This keeps you low and lessens the chances of you falling side to side or front to back. Keep your knee bent and locked that way until the ski is on top of the water then stand up and insert rear foot. Also as the boat starts to pull you up you can kick that rear leg to help you out of the water. Any time I have ever gone with someone new they have always been amazed at how quickly I "pop right out of the water" I'm not huge 6'3" 175 but not tiny either. If you do choose to use both feet in I would take the above advise on the Easy up rope they really do work. Gloves are a must also, I disagree with the easy throttle method as it promotes dragging you through the water rather than getting you out of it. I have a 235 horse outboard on my boat and my six year old can hang on when I drop the hammer to pop him out then back down to his speed. Which ever way you decide to go keep at it and it will come, good luck

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

I weigh 135# and what happens is that the rope pulls out of my hands. When I try to get my weight way forward, I can't control the wobble and I lose it.

Next summer I'll re-read all these threads and try each method recommended.

Thanks!

Dave

 

[DaveM]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

I'll toss in my 2 cents now that this thread is nearing its end. And while I don't have the experience of many here on a slalom ski, I am quite adept at the unsuccessful deep water start. I may have some helpful pointers. But I am a bit different because I have never been successful starting using the foot-drag method. I've always started both feet in, even with combo skis.

It sounds like you are digging the ski tail in too deep and creating too much drag (a wide ski will exacerbate the situation). Your balance is good, but the rope gets ripped out of your hands. To compensate, you try shifting your weight over the front of the ski in order to get the ski to plane. This leads to loss of control.

Here are things to think about:
1. Avoid locking in to that "perfect" starting position (i.e. tense up in a ball). You should be in a relaxed, underwater seated position.
2. Avoid positioning the ski too high before starting or being concerned about which side the rope is on. Your ski tip should only be about 3 inches out of the water. It wont matter where the rope is at it will be above the ski immediately once you start.
3. Avoid pushing back against the boat. This is a tough one, but think about flexing your knees by bringing the ski under you. You should not be rigid. Try sitting on the tail as you start. With your knees bent and weight in the rear that fat ski will plane in no time. And that tip will be out of the water.
4. Avoid standing up too soon. This usually means you are pushing too early against the ski. Be patient, relax and wait until you are out of the water before you stand up.

Good luck next summer. You will get there!

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

Thanks, everyone! I'm almost tempted to uncover the boat, borrow a wetsuit and try skiing this weekend! (But my wife would drive only if I had an electric blanket for her!)

Dave

 

[ghind]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

I love this topic. Here is my 2c

The thing that makes the wide skis easier to get up on is the width in the tail. This pushes them from verticle to horizontal (planing) sooner.

Most people who come up two feet in plow. Very few people are able to not push on their back foot.

It is MUCH easier to come up dragging a leg than two feet in once you can do it properly. Unfortunately, the time to learn to do it is when you are fit and young. And you don't need to do it then so few people think to learn it when they can. Then they can't do it when the need to.

I do know some people that can come up pretty light two feet in. But nothing beats knee to shoulder to near tip of the ski leg dragging for coming up with the least horsepower.

I also agree that less power is often the solution. When you are popping the handle or going out the front, this is always the first step. Yes, a 6 year old can hang onto a 235 OMC at full throttle. Usually cause the 235 is propped up so that it doesn't over rev up top and their exhaust porting is set for top end power not bottom end torque. Very rarely will a 235 set up as they are (1970's or early 80's engine, all top end, no bottom end and a top speed prop) pull any stronger than a well setup 90.

Learning to get up with less power is important. If you are given heaps of power, you have to fight with your back foot to hold on. This is a bad habit and only makes it hard for the day you are too old or unfit to do that any more.

The best ski I've ever found to teach a slalom learner on is a perfectly flat bottom wooden ski from a combo. Stable, light, comes up easily. I think they are more useful for learning starts than a wide bodied ski.

Another key is a boat with a smooth takeoff. If your nose lifts up in the air and falls down onto the plane, it makes it a lot harder. A peaky engine, poor prop choice etc all make it harder. You want a boat with a smooth, consistent pull that can be controlled by the driver. Often 2/3 power or less and then back off a little as the skier starts to come up is the way to go.

Two feet in is the most common way for people to get up. They key is the right ski, not too much power (bad habbit even if you can do it now) and don't push at all on your back foot.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

Well, I finally did it! After 3 years of trying all your advice, I actually got up on the wide ski, slalom. Took me about 5 tries, and I didn't exactly drag a foot (I'm a little afraid of the ski connecting with my crotch...) but I kept my back foot really light in the shoe. Thanks for all your help over the last 3 years!

But y'know what? I didn't enjoy skiing on the wide ski at all. It maneuvered slow & felt funny. Is that how these things are? Will I get used to it and begin to enjoy it? Or should I invest in a narrower ski?

Dave

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

master it, then go narrower.

 

[ghind]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

Dave those wide skies aren't for everyone.

Thanks for giving us an update and congratulations for not letting the thing beat you.

I wouldn't go out and buy a new ski without trying it. You could easily be disheatened.

The easiest skis I've ever found to teach people on are wooden, flat bottom (no tunnel, no nothing) combos. And one of those skis is also best for easy getting up on slalom. The wide fibreglass skis drag substantially more than wooden flat bottom skis. My friends and I have verified this with a load cell and various other spring scales. Long story!

Now that you can get up, you want a ski you can get up on at least most of the time and have heaps of fun when you do. Try a few, borrow some etc.

Skis with narrow tales are hard to get up on. Look for an intermediate ski that is if anything a little on the long side for your height and weight. The extra surface area makes it easier to get up on.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

When I first learned to ski, it was behind a 13' boat with a 25 hp Johnson. Getting up on doubles was no problem. When I started learning on a slalom ski, I had to get up on two, then kick off one of the skis. Lots of falls. Eventually, once I got the hang of skiing on one, I learned to get up on 1, even behind that underpowered boat. Not only was I dragging a foot, I had to practically lay out until the ski was on top of the water, then stand up and grab the back binding with the hanging foot. It worked.

Later, when we had a more powerful boat (not much more) I somehow learned to get up with both feet in the bindings, but at my advanced age, I forget how I did it.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Wide Ski Problems

Thanks, guys, for all of your encouragement.

Actually, I've been doing fine getting up on a wood flat bottom ski for the last 10 years. I just wanted to upgrade, so I bought the wide ski. Maybe it was the wrong choice...

A friend lent me a top-of-the line Connely to try. Only problem is that the boot is not adjustable, so I can't get it on in the water. Apparently there's some sort of biodegradable goop I can buy.

Can't wait to get out on the water again!

Dave