Winter skiing?

[ricwrocket86]

Last year I became hooked on the world of boating and skiing. Just yesterday I picked up a beautiful 86 Mastercraft stars and stripes for $2100. The guy was fixing to loose his house and needed cash bad. Im absolutley dying to try this boat out with my wakeboard but the weather is in the 50s during the day, no telling what the water temp is. Has anybody ever skiied in 40s and 50 degree weather? Im sure im not the only nut out there thinking of doing it. I got another 4-5 months before the weather warms up here in georgia and I simply cant wait that long. So, What do I need to do it without killing myself

 

[skibrain]

Re: Winter skiing?

We live in Minnesota.
As long as the lake isn't frozen it's workable.

My buddy Chris and I skied Tuesday, Dec 1. Chris pulled his 2004 MC 197 off the lift about 6 weeks ago but keeps it in his garage and we've been out 1/2 doz. times since.

I brought along a thermometer to check. Air was 42. Water was 40. Wind west 2-3 so we had really nice flat water. Wearing dry suits (mostly watertight seals at neck/ankles/wrists). I had on a neoprene headband. I sometimes wear a full neoprene hood, or just a polypro stocking cap. The wind chill on the head can give you an ice cream headache real quick.

Body was toasty, feet and face cold. Other than that for slalom skiing it's the hands that are the weak link. Hands get stiff and weak so it's difficult to hold on for real aggressive skiing - even wearing gloves and liners. Tuesday we had a small cooler full of hot water to dip hands and feet in before and after skiing.

Before owning a dry suit, I've skiied wearing my shortie wet suit under a full wet suit. You can never own too many wetsuits.

Our ice goes off the lakes early April. We are back in the water a few weeks later.
Congrats on the new boat. Go for it. You need to recruit some ski buddies before spring anyway.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Winter skiing?

Yup, you are nuts. Lots of fun though and lots of glass.....used to ski until the ice was forming around the piers- nothing like having the place to yourself. Busted up shoulder prevents this now, but a lot of fun. NEOPRENE is your friend...booties, hood, pfd.

 

[ricwrocket86]

Re: Winter skiing?

So there is hope I guess I'll be doing alittle shopping around to find a dry suit. And some warm cloths for my g-friend as well cause she is the only person I trust to drive my boat according to my skiing preferences. So where is the best place to find the clothing at a reasonable price. Or do I just need to shop around and find stuff on sale?

 

[skibrain]

Re: Winter skiing?

You will see a wide variety of gear and descriptions at these websites. All great resources:

www.bartswatersports.com

www.overtons.com

www.wileyski.com

www.perfski.com

IMHO the best place for used gear is www.ski-it-again.com

You should know about the mastercraft website:

www.tmcowners.com

Under "Living Mastercraft" there is a link to "Team Talk" an active forum focused on Mastercraft boats, skiing, boarding and some wet suit chat I'm sure. You might be able to find skiers in your area still going at it.

Have a great 2010.

 

[salty87]

Re: Winter skiing?

you can also check wakeboarding sites such as wakeworld.com. they have classifieds and people sell old suits all the time. there's not much to them so i wouldn't be too worried about an old one....of course unless someone forgot the 'golden rule'....no peeing in a dry suit!

i bought one a few years ago for about $350....bare ultra is the name of the suit.

 

[ricwrocket86]

Re: Winter skiing?

Awsome. Cant wait to get started. Now all I gotta do is find some people in georgia who are as crazy as I am

 

[system-f]

Re: Winter skiing?

To expand on this topic:

Has anyone thought of adding a heater to their boat? I know some nicer ski boats come with a heater, but I was thinking of mounting a heater core with some fans/duct work up under my closed bow. Has anyone tried this? It really would be nice to have a source of heat once you are back onboard.

 

[salty87]

Re: Winter skiing?

it's a pretty basic concept. google heater craft if you want to buy a pre-made kit.

 

[system-f]

Re: Winter skiing?

I saw the heater craft kit. A boxed specialized heater core with 12 or 24volt fans...nothing to it and easy to fab.

 

[divepig]

Re: Winter skiing?

I'm right with ya' man! I got hooked almost two years ago. I too bought a fixer upper. Mine though, was all cosmetic damage but mechanically was great. Matter of fact the marina sold me the motor and called the hull a loss. It's the boat in the avatar (how far we've come!).
Definately look for a drysuit, even if it's old and leaks a bit it will slow the cooling process. Dry gloves too if possible
I had to beg and plead to find a driver and spotter this past fall. My last wakeboard ride here in PA was just before Thanksgiving. Could have gone in Dec. but no drivers!

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Winter skiing?

I usually won't touch the water here in NY till memorial day weekend and even then its only in the low to mid 50's.

 

[merykonil]

Re: Winter skiing?

I visited Camelback in Febuary 2009 with my wife and two small children ages 6 and 8. We went on a weekend witch is usually a busy time at most ski areas.They had preffered parking for 15 dollars. With the children and all our equiptment it made sense to go this route. There were a lot of people, but the lift lines moved pretty fast. They were well organized especially at the 2 high speed quads. The employees were polite and very on top of any line cutting, witch can damper a day.It was well worth the 2 day passes we purchased. We will visit again next season for sure.