Portable Slalom Course?

[bill 22]

How long does it take to setup a portable slalom course? I was told it is a three man job. Would it be very hard for two guys?

I am looking into buying one. I have been looking at ski-it-again. I would like to get some feedback from those that have used one. I don?t want to buy one if they take a long time to setup and waste part of your day on the water.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Portable Slalom Course?

If the water is calm you can do it in 15-30 minutes - once you have a system down. We install my father inlaws with 3 people - 1 to drive, one handing poles and balls and one on the platform shoving it all into the water. We have done it with 2, but it is much more difficult since you really need someone keeping the boat where it needs to be.

You're going to want gloves for the biggest guy on the platform when you straighten the course/drop the 2nd anchor. Sometimes you really have to pull hard if you are in weedy/shallow water.

 

[bill 22]

Re: Portable Slalom Course?

oldjeep,

Thank you for the update!

 

[skibrain]

Re: Portable Slalom Course?

I don't have experience setting up a portable, but I have heard great things about Ed Obermeier of EZ-Slalom.
(BTW I have no connection to EZ-Slalom or Ed, just passing on an endorsement)

From another forum:
"Got an ez-slalom course kit from Ed Obermeier. The buying process was very good, and Ed was extremely helpful and informative. Instructions to build the pvc arms were clear and not difficult with the right tools (band saw and pedestal drill). Everything else but the anchors was included and of excellent quality and workmanskip.

Installation was easy, except for a moment where we were interrupted by two persons on kayaks that asked what we were doing and other stuff. We got tangled but were able to resolve it without damage. Lesson learned: when installing a portable course, if someone approaches, it is better to be unfriendly..."

Thank you for the post and for the kind words, glad to hear all went as expected. Much appreciated.

Cheers, Ed
Ed Obermeier - owner, EZ-Slalom Course Systems
www.ez-slalom.com

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Portable Slalom Course?

I'm not sure what brand my father inlaws is - they all seem to be built in a similiar manner.

One thought on the mainlines - its kind of a crap shoot wether to go with the rope or stainless mainline. Eventually the rope does rot out, starts to fray/break and needs to be replaced - it also cuts easily if someone runs their deep I/O through your course. The alternative is to have them take the entire stainless cable and course and wrap it up in their props. We've had the course cut up a few times, once the main line and more frequently the ball lines.