Ski Rope

[KCP3]

Hello - I just got an old 17' fish/ski boat to pull the kids around on inland lakes of Michigan (1975 Larson with 70hp OB).

What length ski rope should I get (10 y.o. kids and adults)?

Any suggestion on kid skis? I've seen those beginner skis with a 54" or 6" rope connecting the skis - not sure how the rope helps.

Thanks!!
Ken

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ski Rope

[colour=blue]Hi Ken, welcome to iboats?

There are a few factors that affect the length of rope you use, but for beginners all you need to worry about is being able to talk to them (and hear them) and the shape of the wake.

Depending on the shape of the hull and your speed, the wake can change dramatically the further away the skier is.

I would suggest a standard length rope (70ft inc. handle) and if you want it shorter, it's easily doable.

You and the rugrats will have a blast - enjoy!!

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ski Rope

[colour=blue]Woops, almost forgot -

At 10 years old I wouldn't bother with the baby skiis, a junior slalom set (not connected) should be fine assuming the kids are not too small.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Ski Rope

I'm not sure why they have a 54 inch rope connecting them. The six inch one is to keep them from doing a split.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Ski Rope

And most importantly, when teaching them how to ski just keep telling them " knees bent, arms straight, knees bent, Arms straight" over and over. Untill they get that they won't succede. I tried many times but as soon as i was told that I got it right the first time. And double wide skis will definitely help beginners.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Ski Rope

with the kids beginer ski's the extra rope length your talking about (i assume) is connected to the front of ski's so the kids have something to hold on to thats a bit more solid than the tow rope. The tow rope is than connected to the cross bar that is joining the 2 ski's at the front. At 10 years I agree, go for the standard length combo's.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Ski Rope

And most importantly, when teaching them how to ski just keep telling them " knees bent, arms straight, knees bent, Arms straight" over and over. Untill they get that they won't succede. I tried many times but as soon as i was told that I got it right the first time. And double wide skis will definitely help beginners.

Like stated in the enclosed post the knees bent arms straight is great advice. Have fun and let us all know how you go on.

 

[bretto]

Re: Ski Rope

with the kids beginer ski's the extra rope length your talking about (i assume) is connected to the front of ski's so the kids have something to hold on to thats a bit more solid than the tow rope. The tow rope is than connected to the cross bar that is joining the 2 ski's at the front. At 10 years I agree, go for the standard length combo's.

That seems dangerous. I would rather have something I can let go or would fall out of my hands and be seperated from the boat. I imagine their feet would pull out of the bindings upon crashing but what if they dont, ouch!

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Ski Rope

I've always insisted that, when in the water postioned to be pulled up it was knees bent, knees together, and arms around the knees, not arms between the knees. Once up it was arms straight, knees bent, back straight up, not bent over at the waist

 

[athiker]

Re: Ski Rope

Quote:
Originally Posted by paulie0735
with the kids beginer ski's the extra rope length your talking about (i assume) is connected to the front of ski's so the kids have something to hold on to thats a bit more solid than the tow rope. The tow rope is than connected to the cross bar that is joining the 2 ski's at the front. At 10 years I agree, go for the standard length combo's.

Originally Posted by bretto
That seems dangerous. I would rather have something I can let go or would fall out of my hands and be seperated from the boat. I imagine their feet would pull out of the bindings upon crashing but what if they dont, ouch!

Yes it does/is, and the kid ski set I bought has two handles; one for the skier which is attached to the bar between the skis, and another that an adult in the boat holds. The line should never be attached directly to the boat with this setup. The adult sits facing the rear w/ their knees on a rear seat and at the first sign the skier is going down releases/throws the handle over the stern.

If the child is 10 though, the bar may still be helpful to keep from doing the splits, but I don't think they need the setup w/ the ski handle and tow line attached to the bar. They should do fine w/ just a regular ski rope setup after a few tries.

 

[RV-Dean]

Re: Ski Rope

great teaching technique is also to tell the skiier not to stand up but to stay in a seating position long after they are up and out of the water. Then stand up when the have the feel.