Conference vicki::boats

    Bout time we got a note for this year!  I've been skiing this 
    year for three months already.  8-)  There, that should get
    you guys fired up right away.
    
    Rob
    

    We have been skiing for three months too.  Downhill, Cross country,
    Slalom, and barefoot.  All on water, you just have to deal with
    the phase change.
    
    Don

    Hey Rob, see note 281.38 for my standard response to those who get to
    ski when I can't!  Many :-).  I'll sort of be out your way next week
    (back to the L.A. area, this time on vacation).  I'll have the wife
    with me this time, so I'll be getting dragged around Rodeo Drive
    instead of the lakes!  Boo.  Gotta find a hotel with a boat while we're
    there!
    
    It doesn't look good for going to that conference in Vegas either. 
    Serious cutbacks by DEC (and our organization) may cut me out of the
    conference this year.  Blah!  But you never know.  And I wanted to come
    out and show you guys how to *really* ski, even if I *had* to do it
    behind a MasterCraft!  :-)
    
    					...Roger...

    
    
    I noticed a blue Nautique pulling a skier on the lake yesterday. 
    It was about 35 degrees yesterday and rainy/windy with
    very choppy water. Even the ducks were looking for shelter.   
    
    I figure that it had to be someone from this file.  8-)   
   
    
    Kevin
                                  

    RICK...Was that you??? You didn't call me!
    Doug.
    

    
    Wasn't me..... Friday night, yes, but Sunday nope...
    
    Doug were you on Mattawannakee yesterday?
    
    Rick

    Only in my mind, maybe...  But yesterday I did begin de-winterizing
    the Malibu. Prop is on, trailer has wheels, bow has numbers assigned,
    just have to stick 'em on (Yech).  Won't be long now...
    Oh yeah, I still have to start it up and check for leaks and a cracked
    block...:^O   (I'm kidding, ...I'm such a kidder) and of course,
    GET THE TRAILER REGISTERED! (for twice the cost of last year![thanks
    Duke]) other wise, it's 'bout ready to go!
    
    Doug.

    
    Anyone interested in a little after work cruise/ski at
    Lake Mattawanakee this afternoon?  My boat "followed"
    me into work today, just begging for another hour or two
    of break-in time, so obviously I must oblige.
    
    Time:       4:30ish
    Place:      Lake Mattawankee in Littleton (Lake "Man-i-wanna-ski")
    Directions: Take rte. 495 to 119 west.  Take first right onto
                Beaver Brook Road.  Boat launch is about a mile down
                on the left.
    Supplies:   There is a sub shop and packie within walking distance
                of the town beach.  What else could you need?  
    
    Rick W.     (Look for a blue & white Sunbird)

    Funny, the ski and suit just *happened* to be in the truck this
    morning... I can't imagine how they got there! I guess this is a
    good oppertunity to use them, huh? I'll be there at 4:30ish (that
    is if the Blazer's ailing water pump will let me..)
    Doug

    
    
    	The Nautique, the Ford Queen Mary and I will be there.....
    around 4:30.....
    
    Rick

    How about another gumball soon, maybe down in Marlboro?  Mike Smith
    just told me that his boat is in which means the Ft. Meadow must be
    ready for us demented folks.  Only good day for me this week is Friday
    (although tomorrow is a possibility, but I hear the weather isn't gonna
    be too good).  Anyway, next week's looking good.
    
    This weekend I scheduled myself to go paint my dock.  Then my buddy
    calls me up yesterday and says "Oh you're gonna be down here (R.I.)
    this weekend?  Well bring your wetsuit 'cuz my boat's in!"  Gee that's
    too bad, I really wanted to paint my dock too.  Oh well, maybe Sunday!
    :-)
    
    					...Roger...

RE: Gumball at Fort Meadow,

I would love to do it again,  But as always I will have to look into
the access problem,  it has gotten worse than last year,  which in a
way is good but, still a pain when you want to get in and out during
non-peak hours.  The Public ramp does not open until Memorial Day so
I will see if I can find a private ramp that someone will let us use.
I got mine in that way, but the first thing the guy wanted to know was
was I putting it in to leave it or was I looking to put in and take out
again later.  When I said just putting in he was much more friendly.
Of course this is assuming we use something besides my BAJA for skiing,
like last time.  (ie: barefoot boom, V8 hp, small wake??)  
If we use my boat then,  no problem.

I will see what I can find out.

Mike
                

    
    	How about an afterwork GUMBALL at Mascuppic in Tyngsboro
    tomorrow (Tuesday)? They even have a brand new ramp that I
    probably won't get stuck on! 
    
    Rick

    
    RE: Tuesday
    
    I think Tuesday is the only day this week they're predicting rain.
    
    
    Rick W.

    
    	It's not looking very good for weather today, although they
    say it's supposed to clear up this afternoon......
    
    Rick

    
        I knew it Rick!  I packed my tricks, slalomn, vest, gloves,
    full wet-suit this morning....if I didn't, guaranteed the sun
    would have made an appearance.
    
        What a nice feeling though, to be heading into a full season
    of skiing and starting this early.
    
    jd/
    

    Did you guys brave it yesterday?  I was away so I didn't see the
    gumball alert.  How about next week?  Any day but Wed. looks good right
    now.
    
    					...Roger...

    
    
        Is today the day?  :>)
    
    jd/
    

    
    
     GGGGGG    U    U    M     M    BBBB          A        L      L
    G          U    U    MM   MM   B    B        A A       L      L
    G          U    U    M M M M   BBBBB        AA AA      L      L
    G   GGG    U    U    M     M   B    B      AAAAAAA     L      L
    G     G    U    U    M     M   B    B      AA   AA     L      L
     GGGGG     UUUUUU    M     M    BBBB       AA   AA     LLL    LLL

                                                    
    
    	Where: Mascuppic/Lakeview, Tyngsboro
    	When: Today, May 4th, 5:00/5:30
    
    	Who: Jeanne, Rick ????

    
    
    	Might be able to make it a little earlier, today... Can
    anyone else?
    
    Rick

    Softball game tonight.  I know, I know, where are my priorities?  But I
    made on purpose *NOT* to put my stuff in the car 'cuz when I heard the
    forecast I knew you guys would want to go and I *have* to show up to
    this game...it's the first of the season and I'm the coach!  Oh well,
    no star next to Roger's name on the attendance poster this time!  :-)
    
    How's next week looking for everyone else?  Any day but Wed. for me.
    We shall keep a close eye on the weather...
    
    					...Roger...

    
       Awwww Rodg!  I was hoping you'd demo that backwards trick deep-water
    start!  :>)
    
       Next time.
    
    jd/
    

    				Well?

       Yep, we went.....last Thursday night (and yesterday, only I didn't
ski because Thursday night made me sick.  :>)  

   Rick's into one-handed turns now, and I found out that the faster
you ski behind the Ski Boutique, the smaller the wake....it almost
doesn't intimidate now.  Beach starts are a piece of cake behind
the Boutique, no slack, he hits it, and I'm standing up!

   Rick tried to slide off the platform on his kneeboard while the
boat was underway, almost had it!  Always a glutton for punishment,
he puts on my tricks.  You were lookin' good Rick, just pull that
handle into the hip and you'll master a 360 in no time.

   Dave found out that the water is pretty cold.. :>)   Dave? Are
you there?  :>)  Actually, I had the privilege too.  Overton's is 
right, 55 degrees is "A definate Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr"......

/end of gumball report,

           Aaacchhhooooooooooo!

jd/ 

    Good job Jeanne (and Rick and Dave), you brave souls.  I didn't ski
    this weekend...played Mr. Fix-it and repaired my dock.  I did have my
    wetsuit in case my buddy came by with his boat, but alas he didn't
    show.  Ah well, it was VERY windy and rough yesterday with white caps
    in our cove, so I didn't feel so bad about not skiing.
    
    What about this week?  Thursday is best for me.
    
    					...Roger...

    
    
    	The Boutique is stranded until Friday when I get the hitch
    installed on the Dakota. I don't dare hook 3500 lbs to a 2000 lbs
    step and tow bumper. My weekday skiing may be severely limited
    for the next 8 weeks since I have class Mon-Thurs... oh well
    there's always leaving work early!
    
    	Hey Jeanne! Your sister was lookin' great yesterday! Which
    one of you is the better skier? :-)
    
    	Yeah, even with whitecaps in the middle of Lake Attitash we
    managed to find some calm water along the shore. A very nice taste
    of the warm weather to come.
                                      
    
    	Rick

    Well, I'm back... I went skiing thurs and friday P.M., but that
    was down in Seffner Fla, (8 miles from Tampa) at McCormicks'.
    (It was a *business* trip ;^)  They have 6 new Magnum Skiers, 3
    private lakes, and very little business. There were two guys (students)
    from Norway, and that was it, so there was no waiting around. Those
    Magnums send up a killer rooster tail at 15 off.. (excuses, excuses...)
    But anyway, enough rambling...
    I got the Malibu fired up yesterday, so it's ready to go...
    Anyone for skiing this week? (It's my turn anyway)
    I'm anxious to get back on 45 degree water :^)
    Doug
    

    RE: Rick ... 8 weeks?  Do you realize that's July?  Don't be
    ridiculous!  :-)  I can see many early days outta work.  We must set
    the priorities.
    
    RE: Doug ... good stuff.  Any 6-ballers at 15-off?  Or do they have
    tripperfish in Seffner too?  :-)  See .25 for my schedule this week.
    
    					..Roger...

    re: Diehards,
    
    	Looks like the rest of the week is going to be damp, that
    is if you happen to be inclined to believe the forecasters.
    
    	Doug, the MS didn't happen to follow you to work today, did it?
                                                               
    Be Skiing Ya!
    
    Rick

    No, the boat didn't follow me to work, but since I'm only 6 miles
    from home...Tempting!
    However, since I already have a committment for this afternoon/evening,
    We'll shoot for later this week, (weather permitting = not snowing)
    Doug.

    Tomorrow is out for me...I'll be in Westfield.  Looks like next week
    for me.  Might do some skiing this weekend if I can light a fire under
    my buddy's butt to stop by while I just happen to be working on my dock
    with my wetsuit on.  :-)  What a dedicated soul, eh?
    
    					...Roger...

    Skiing Today at lake Mattawanakee (sp?), you know, the one in
    Littleton. (AKA Forge Pond) So far we have myself, Don Wilson (at
    the ramp at 4:pm, and Rick Suter at the beach at 5:pm.
    Anyone who's interested, just show up! The more the merrier!
    (V-8 power supplied by Indmar equipped Malibu Skier)
    Doug
    

    Doug, was that your rig in the DAS lot yesterday?  Must be, I saw
    a "Whynot" plate.
    
    Good looking boat there.
    
    Lee

    Yup, 'twas mine.
    BTW that's "YNOT" on the plate, N.H. only allowed up to four characters
    back in the days of license plates. :-)
    Doug.

    This is was today's (June 8, 1989) comic strip "Shoe" (reprinted
    without permission from the Boston Globe):
    
    The scene:  Skyler, dressed in military fatigues and helmet, is
    standing at the feet of his platoon (he's only about a foot tall)
    listening to his superior officer speak about the military strength of
    the U.S.
    
    The captions:
    
    Frame #1: (Superior officer) "Men, the USS Nimitz is powerful enough to
    pull behind her the entire population of Pensacola, Florida, on
    waterskis..."
    
    Frame #2: (Superior officer continues) "-for a year without
    refueling..."
    
    Frame #3: (Skyler looks confused...)
    
    Frame #4: (Skyler thinking to himself) "It's information like THAT that
    really must have those Libyans quaking in their tents..."

    So do you think we should call up Uncle George (Bush) and see if we can
    catch a ride someday?  That should be able to break the record for most
    people waterskiing behind a single boat, eh?  :-) :-)
    
    					...Roger...

    Well this note's sure been quiet lately.  Are you guys waiting for me
    to get better so we can have the next gumball?  That's so sweet!  Well
    then, let's do it!  Stitches are gone, foot feels fine, and I'm ready
    to get out there and check out the doctor's work.  Don't tell me you
    guys have already sunk your boats in their summer haven?!?!?!?  I still
    have to blow the anti-freeze out of mine!  Major landscape work at the
    summer house has kept my baby on the trailer.  Maybe next weekend...
    
    					...Roger...

    
    	Oh Roger! The Nautique is in Effingham, although it's sitting
    on the trailer waiting for me to fix it's prop shaft stuffing box.
    
    	Ah say, ah say.. old boy, it's the middle of the summer, hows
    come there is still auntifreeze in that thar mota?
    
    Rick
    
    Congrats on the foot!

    You boys are slippin'. Get those boats in the water!
    Well, mine has been in for a few weeks now; it's at the mooring
    with a full tank of gas just waitin' for me...
    If you guys need a drag around the lake, you know where I'm at...
    
    Rog: Glad to hear your up and about and ready to ski!
    
    Rick: Hull cracks?  Stuffing box problems??  Ready for a NEW NAUTIQUE!?
    
    Doug.

    
    	Actually the stuffing box is my fault, it's on the maintenance
    schedule for a couple times a season and I haven't done it yet.
    I consulted the manual and it's only a ten minute job.... 
    
    	BTW: A 1989 Nautique at the end of the season has already
    been thought of.....
    
    Rick

    Well it looks like we gotta plan a gumball up north.  If the boats
    can't come to us, we gotta go to the boats.  A Suncook gumball sounds
    plausible, an Effingham one too.  Hey Don, where be you?  As soon as I
    get my act together down in R.I. we'll have to make plans for a gumball
    down there.  Maybe we can "fly" in?
    
    Thanks for the encouraging words about my foot.  I'm ready!
    
    					...Roger...
    
    P.S.  Hey, how about that Andy Mapple?  Pending world slalom record:
    	  "A solid 3 at 41-off!" according to Water Ski magazine.  I think
    	  he did it at a record-capability tournament before the Orlando
    	  tour stop in April.  Geez, I'd be glad to get one at 41-ON!  :-)

    Ok,
    Wed 21 June.  To Rick's place, or mine by the amphib.  Wx permitting.
    If hot hazy with potential TRWs, then drive to Doug's
    Whadaya think,
    
    Don

    
    	Sorry guys, but I can't make a Gumball until into next month...
    
    	I have a pressing deadline..... damn it!
    
    	Rick

    Thursday would be best for me, although wed is not out of the question.
    D.W.

    Come on, Rick...tell your group to wake up and fly right...recreational
    activities must take precedence if you are to maintain a high level of
    productivity.  I mean face it, if we're skiing on Wed. and you're not,
    you're gonna be sitting there wishing you were and you'll be useless to
    the group.  Think they'll bye it?  :-)
    
    That's a cute subject title Doug.  *deadline* = slack line!  I like it.
    
    Wednesday is best for me.  Already penciled into my calendar.  Thursday
    is no good for me.  Tuesday is OK.  Whenever.  I want to SKI!
    
    					...Roger...

    
    	You guy's haven't mentioned the biggest problem...the weather.
    What's going on with the weather these days. I just heard that it's 
    not expected to be sunny till Sunday afternoon. Looks like tomorrow
    will be similar to that day a few weeks ago Rick/Gail and I skiied in
    that monsoon... It wouldn't be bad, if it would just get above 60-65
    degrees.
    
    								-mike-

    Well dudes, are we doing it tomorrow or what?  I took my foot out for
    its maiden run since surgery and everything seems to work OK.  A decent
    slalom run, although since the surgery was on my back slalom foot the
    water hitting hit the ankle with the foot in the rear toe feels a
    little strange.  That will take a little getting used to.
    
    As for footin', I'll tell ya there are some things that got drilled
    into my head at ski school, one of which is to keep the handle in tight
    to your hips when doing tumble turns.  I was spinning like crazy last
    night.  Very little effort.  Also did some tumble-ups, one foot, and
    yes hand skiing.  My cousin was impressed, but said that he needs to
    watch me do it a few more times before he gets up the nerve to try it.
    Oh well, I had to convince myself that the time I did it in Florida
    wasn't a fluke.  Didn't try backwards yet.  That's next.  BTW, the new
    boom works great!
    
    So what's the deal on the gumball?
    
    					...Roger...

    I have my Ski and jacket in the car.
    
    If the wx is good, we can use the amphib to get to my boat in Maine,
    let Rog break in the new barefoot harness, or if wx looks like
    possible thundershowers, driving to Doug's.
    
    Any other proposals?
    
    Don

    Well, the Malibu is at the mooring with 3/4 of a tank.
    My ski is also in the boat. (so if anyplace other than Suncook,
    I'll have to use your O'brien. (or none?)
    The weather looks iffy(sp?) possible T-showers. 
    Will the boom fit in the plane? (if you have the boom...if we go
    in the plane...if we go at all...)     DON?
    I can be available early afternoon.
    Doug.

    simultaneous noting?
    O.K. I guess we'll play it by ear...
    D.W.
    

    
    
    FYI: Someone has set up a slalom course on Lake Mattawanakee
    in Littleton.  Not sure who owns it or if there are any
    restrictions on using it, but it's in a "public" section of
    the lake (i.e. not in front of anyone's house).
    
    I could probably be convinced to come along tomorrow...
    
    Rick W.

    You guys are still talking about the weather, doesn't it ever
    get warm out there?  If only I could send you some of ours,
    then we would both be alright.  We have the opposite problem
    out here.  Went skiing on Sat.  The temp. was in the 100's.
    Too hot, we almost melted away!
    
    Rob
    

    
    
    Hmmmm.  There was a blue Nautique in the ZK parking lot this morning. 
    Should I check to see if it's there at 5:00?  8-)
    
    Kevin
    

    
    
    Hmmmm, that blue Nautique is not mine and I sure would find it
    hard to believe that a Decie that owns a Nautique is not into
    this file...!  :-)
    
    	Who is the mystery Nautique owner and where will you be after
    work today????
    
    Rick

    
    
    	How did the Gumball go? Did you guys make it to the lake up
    north?
    
    Rick

    Nope.  Work got in the way of pleasure *AGAIN*!  Gotta remedy that. 
    We're shooting for this Wednesday.  Don?  Doug?  Are we still on?  How
    'bout you Mr. Suter?  Anyone else?  I think we're gonna go beat on, err
    ski behind Doug's boat this time.
    
    My boat's going in today.  Yahoo!  We'll have to plan a trip to RI
    sometime soon.
    
    					...Roger..

Re: .53 and .54

The blue Nautique is mine. The afterwork ski that I had been thinking about
all day was shot down by the rain!

Dave

    HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU SKI HEADS.
    
    I'M JUST LEARNING HOW THIS YEAR AND AM COMIMNG ALONG OK,  I'M STILL ON
    TWO SKI'S AND AM PLAYING WITH GOIG BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE WAKE.
    THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS WHEN I'M ON THE OUT SIDE AND WANT TO
    CUT QUICKLY IN (TO GET A LITTLE JUMP OFF THE WAKE) I PICK UP SLACK
    IN THE ROPE AND LOSE IT. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG.
    

    You're cutting back toward the wake too early.  Wait a little longer
    and then begin your cut.  Remember to keep your arms straight when you
    begin the cut and don't try to compensate for slack by pulling the rope
    toward you...you'll just get yanked forward and into the drink.  Let
    the boat do some work for you.
    
    Good luck...
    
    					...Roger...

    I just had to let you know how good the skiing is up at Lake Sunapee!
    That's where Mike B. & I have been skiing and breaking in the new
    O'Brien tube all week. Mike has a new wet suit which he is still
    wearing in the 73 degree water. So he won't be around until the
    end of July for any gumball activity...  
    
    The Baja has a new Turbo Lift on it and now comes on plane in
    half the time it used to.  We even pulled two skiiers up with it.
    I know Rick will find that hard to believe...
    
    Gail

    RE: .58
    
    A few things that I learned when learning how to graduate from two
    ski's to slalom...
    
    A little trick I learned to figure out which foot you should have
    forward is...
    
    A person stands behind you. You relax. Without warning, the person
    behind you pushes you (gently, but enough to cause forward motion
    - their hand should be in the center of your back).
    
    Which ever foot goes forward first to compensate for the pushed
    forward motion is usually the foot you want in front!

    Now that you know which ski to put on which foot, and your still
    on 2 skis - simply pratice the feeling of lifting up the single
    ski and balancing on the double ski! Who knows... you might even
    'accidently' lose the single ski and do your first slalom!

    PS. I'm far from the 'pro' rating that some of these ski heads are,
    but these two tricks worked for me to get on slalom last year!

    re .62
    
    Bill,
    
    That's the way I learned! I could easily slalom with the other ski
    in the air, but when I dropped it....- CRASH! Then one day when
    I had the extra ski lifted up, along came a wave and just tore the
    extra ski off. It happened so fast, that by the time I realized
    what happened I was slaloming! It was a piece 'o cake from then
    on. Getting up on one....well, that'a another story. It took quite
    a few nosefuls of the lake to get that down, but perseverance paid
    off!
    
    Jon

    re .59
    YOU WERE RIGHT ROGER WHEN I TOOK IT EASY I DIDN'T GET THE SLACK.
    THE OTHER THING I DID WAS PUT MORE WEIGHT ON THE OUTSIDE SKI THIS
    PLUS PULLING THE ROPE ON THE WAY IN GAVE ME A NICE LITTLE RIDE OVER
    THE WAKE. 
    
    NOW ON DROPPING A SKI!!
    
    WELL I TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES YESTERDAY AND AFTER ABOUT 5 FACE SLAMS
    I CALLED IT A DAY. WHAT EVER MISTAKE I'M MAKING I MUST BE DOING IT
    CONSISTENTLY BECAUSE I ALWAYS END UP IN FRONT OF THE SKI.  I
    UNDERSTAND I HAVE TO PAY MY DUES TO SLALOM BUT IS THERE SOMETHING 
    SIMPLE I AM DOING WRONG, MY FACE CAN'T TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS. 

    re: < Note 335.64 by USRCV1::RECUPAROR >

    
    	The problem you are having with face plants while trying
    to drop a ski is probably that your shoulders are too far 
    forward. Concentrate on keeping them back, way back, this
    should get you onto one ski.
    
    Good luck...
    
    Rick

    RE: .64
    
    In addition to Rick's (.65) suggestion, try bending your knee a bit
    more.  You'll find that stability does out the window when you try to
    dump the other ski and you haven't prepared to absorb the
    waves/turbulence with one leg.  Bending the knee should help you out.
    Also remember to center your weight over the ski.  Bending the knee and
    centering your weight brings your center of gravity down and helps to
    stabilize you.
    
    As a suggestion for learning how to slalom, have you tried lifting one
    ski out of the water but not dropping it?  This is also a good method
    for determining which foot you feel most comfortable skiing on.
    
    Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
    
    					...Roger...

    THANKS FOR THE ADVICE RICK AND ROGER I WILL TRY IT THIS WEEKEND
    IF MY FACE HEALS.
    
    ONE OTHER QUESTION, HOW DO I FIND THE DROPED SKI?  SINCE THE BOTTOM
    IS BLACK I'M HAVING A HELL OF A TIME FINDING IT.  CAN I PAINT THE
    BOTTOM WITH SOME KIND OF PAINT OR TAPE IT?  ALSO WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD
    COLOR?
     
    
    THANKS 

    RICK R.

    
    RE: Rick R.
    
    	Many ski droppers paint the bottom of the ski fluorescent orange,
    but I have seen an even better method. A pair of combos I've seen
    have weights underneath the skeg cover (on top of the ski) These
    weights kept the ski vertical in the water with about half of the
    ski sticking up out of the water. Very easy to find!
    
    Rick

    
    RE: How to find the dropped ski.
    
    First off, tell the spotter to make a note to him/herself of where
    the ski was dropped.  And tell the skier to try to drop in in a
    low trafffic area.
    
    Two,  if you are careful you can usually keep the ski upright so
    the boot is sticking up when you drop the ski.  But this is not
    all ways possible.
    
    Lastly,  if you get any of the mail order catalogs,  it seems to
    me that someone sells a orange float that you can attach to the
    ski.  They claim that the orange float will keep the ski upright
    and make it easier to see.  I do not know how effective it is and
    I really doubt its ability to flip over a ski which is bottom side
    up.
    
    The worst problem in dropping skis is the wind, it can blow the
    ski away from where you thought it would be.  Again, if possible,
    drop the ski so it will blow towards the shore.
    
    And the very worst culpret is the "helpful" novice boater who picks
    up your dropped ski and drives around with it the rest of the day
    asking people if they lost a ski.  :-)
    
    In the very worstr case try to use an expendable ski for dropping
    
    Mike
    

    Tried lifting the drop ski to get a feels for sking on one ski, sure
    did save a number of face slams.  Did not have a lot of time to
    practice, although did have the tip of the drop ski catch a wave
    and get pulled off.  Managed to stay up about 10 seconds then fell
    to the side (not face).
    
    Also painted the bottom of the drop ski with orange paint, in hopes of
    making it easier to find.  Almost all the paint came off first time
    up.  
    
    
    Rick R.
    
     

    
    Those face plants are not fun!  I've been practicing a
    side-slide on my trick slalomn and usually average a
    face slam per try.
    
    The face plant usually happens when I don't let go of
    the rope, in hopes of recovering!
    
    So....NEVER SAY DIE but.....to save face, let go!
    
    jd/
    

    To the new slalom skier:
    
    How much do you weigh, and how fast are you travelling?
    
    One bit of advice: get good on two skis first. there's alot to get
    used to out there without leaving your two skis yet, such as dealing
    with other wakes, becoming proficient on crossing your own wake,
    recovering from near-falls, getting the right posture, conditioning
    the muscles, gaining overall confidence, and good
    boat-to-skier/skier-to-boat communications. 
    
    You can't do all this in just a couple of weeks, unless, of course
    you are under the age of 12. Then you could possibly be footin'
    within a few weeks. 
    
    Mike (not a pro either)

    That was exactly my goal Mike (get good on two skis first).  I had some
    friends say, "go ahead and just drop a ski" but I felt it was a waste
    of time (and face) if I didn't feel comfortable on two.  I've spent
    a  month now getting used to two and in fact I'm getting a little
    cocky.  So I do feel I'm ready to drop.
    
    
    I weigh 180lbs and have  been driving the boat at about
    22-26 MPH with two ski's and my slalom attempts.  What is a good 
    speed to slalom?  
    
    Another question.  Since the paint on the bottom of the drop ski
    did not work and Overton's does not have the "drop ski buoy" in
    stock, does anybody have any idea who else might have this thing.
    I've tried Ski Limited and Barts 
    
    Thanks 
    
    Rick R       
     

    You are a bit on the heavy side to stay up easily at 22-26 MPH.
    I'm in the same range of lbs. and need about 30-34 to feel comfortable.
    You also need a ski that's designed for your weight. You will need
    more speed for a ski that's not quite matched to your weight. 
    
    I know this might be premature, but if you do beach starts, and
    are starting to stay up on one after dropping, do as I did when
    I was learning: drop the ski as soon as you are up. Then the ski
    stays very close to your starting point. Just avoid it when you
    come screaming back from your run. 
    
    Good luck.
    Mike

    re 73
    	Rick,a little trick to try when you drop your ski is to drag
    your toes (lightly) in the water,it will help you maintain your
    balance.It gives the illusion that the ski is still on your foot.
    	Also after you drop the ski and stay up don't rush to put your
    foot in the toe piece, put your foot on the back of the ski and
    slowly slide it in.Keep concentrating on staying up and in the center
    of your boat's wake where you are less likely to be affected by
    waves or other wakes.
    
    Hopes this helps
    Frenchy
    

	I have found the following to be useful:

	i)	Think consciously about putting weight on the heel of 
the foot you plan to stay on, lift the toes in the binding.

	ii)	When you step out of the drop ski, lift the heel out 
and point the toes down.  Stay on the heel of the foot you're planning 
to ski on for a while and just use the toes of the other foot for 
reassurance.

	iii)	Everything thats already been said about shoulders 
back.

	re  retrieving the dropped ski:  I taped a block of styrofoam 
onto the top of the ski, it stayed there for my drops but got torn off 
when a youngster crashed - duct tape isn't quite good enough.

	Reg

		{Yes, I can still only deep water start about 1 time
in 20 behind my 140 HP I/O, or 1 time in 2 behind a Malibu Skier with
the 454 engine.  If I get up before I hit the boat's wake (75 ft.) I'm
fine, the Malibu has me up in about 2 arm lengths (2 inches longer 
than before I met that boat (-: }

    WELL I DID IT !!
    
    I wasn't up for long (2-3 min) but I was up on one ski and it felt
    gooood.  I think it's just a matter of practice and remembering
    all the basics know.
    
    Thanks for all the help and if guys are ever in SYO, lets hit the
    water (so to speek).
    
        
    Rick R.
    
    

    Great stuff, Rick.  Just remember to bend that forward knee for
    stability.  That will help you to put more weight on the front of the
    ski and keep it from rocking back and forth.  Soon, you'll be "cutting
    a slice for yourself" as the O'Brien ad says!
    
    					...Roger...

    
    Did anyone happen to catch the "NANCY" comic strip carried in
    today's Boston Herald?  It offers a comical and rather unique
    method for getting up on skis for the first time.
    
    Nancy is sitting in a wading pool with ski tips up and ready to
    go.  The other end of the rope is attached to Sluggo's tricycle.
    She yells "HIT IT", and he takes off.  She flies out of the pool,
    doing a mean face-plant on the ground.  He asks, "So how do you
    like water skiing?"  Her reply "I can take it or leave it".
                                                               
    Rick

    Yesterday a ski buddy and I decided to go out and "cut a slice for
    ourselves" (to paraphrase an O'Brien ad).  As I was putting on my ski I
    decided I wanted to have a feel at what it's like to ski like the pros,
    so I had my buddy shorten the line length to 39-1/2 off.  Good God, is
    that a trip.  It's amazing how close you are to the boat.  Even more
    incredible is the fact that you're so close that the wake is literally
    non-existent...I'm talking before the wakes meet to form the rooster
    tail.  You actually ski over the well formed by the boat as it's
    moving.  Talk about screwing up your timing...you actually hit nothing
    as you pass behind the boat.
    
    I just can't see how Mapple and Kjellander skied all 6 bouys at that
    line length.  The rope is 2-1/2 feet shorter than the distance from the
    pylon to the bouy.  Incredible.
    
    So I guess I can say that I skied at 39-1/2 off.  Of course, I didn't do
    anything except slice a few nice turns and slam the water after a body
    slide.  Ah, the joys of skiing!  :-)  Must be getting toward the end of
    summer to be trying these stunts...
    
    ...Roger...

    
  >  I just can't see how Mapple and Kjellander skied all 6 bouys at that
  >  line length.  The rope is 2-1/2 feet shorter than the distance from the
  >  pylon to the bouy.  Incredible.

          Roger - S T R E T C H!!!... 
   
          Thats' where Mike Kjellander's height helps a lot....he's
almost 9 ft. tall extended.  I've watched Andy Mapple ski and
he makes it look SO easy.  Kjellander has the advantage height-wise,
but Andy seems to have more finesse.  

          I would think getting *TO* the buoys in time would be
tougher than getting around the buoys....course, everything has
to fit together in the long run.  (or should I say short run)!

         End of summer!  I think its time to move down to the
Carolina's....New England summers are just tooo short.

jd/

    RE.: .81
    
         Come on down....we *do* have long skiing seasons here (at least
    I do!!).  I have been in the water without a wetsuit as early as
    April and have skiied as late as Oct. 5.  It was bit chilly though!;-)
                                                                       
                                                    Capt. Scott 

    re.82
    That's not so long, we finished last season (in MA) on Dec 7, and attempted
    to start on 1-Apr, but snow up at Sugarloaf scrubbed the start for
    me in favor of skiing on powder.  You must not be pushing the season
    very hard, or waiting until the water gets really warm to something
    like 45 or 50!
    
    Don

    Yeah Don you tell 'em!  :-)  I missed the Dec. 7th ice-ski last year
    because of a work commitment...I won't let that happen again!  I think
    I'll stop by the dive shop soon for a pair of those ultra-warm gloves. 
    Even though the feet get *real* cold I think I can handle that, but
    when the fingers freeze up you just can't ski anymore.  We'll fix that!
    
    And speaking of cold-weather skiing, what about ski school again next
    year, guys?  I've already persuaded at least 2 people down at my lake
    to go to Seipel's place this winter (they're planning a Florida trip
    sometime mid-winter and I told them to stop in at Mike's place, so
    they're making reservations this week).  After turning them on to
    footin' on my boom they decided it was time to improve themselves so I
    loaned them a BI catalog and they're off!  Maybe I should get
    commission eh?  :-)
    
    ...Roger...
    
    P.S.  Hey guys, we don't have to wait till the water gets below 50 to
    have another gumball, y'know!  Whaddya say?

    
    		******** WAKE UP!!! *********
    
    
    It seems all of "die-hard" skiers have been snoozing this summer.
    What ever happened to "It's Wednesday afternoon, it's warm, let's
    GO"?
    
    I suppose the first question is, where are all the boats? I've
    been kicking myself for not having the Nautique here this week!
    Anyone for a drive to Province lake this afternoon? Roger, is your
    ski in your car? Doug, is the Blazer full of skiing stuff? Mikey,
    is your wetsuit still in the bathtub? 
    
    We could be there by 3:30!!!
    
    Hit it - Rick

    
    
    	I guess I forgot one important question.... Did anyone's
    boat follow them to work today?
    
    Rick

    Huh?...O.K. I'm awake.
    Yeh, let's go! (but not today) How about the NEAR future. My boat
    is still in the water until Oct 1st, then it will be on the trailer
    for use in the Merrimuck, Mattawanakee (aka Forge pd) or ??. In
    the meantime, a rendezvous on one of the lakes for a good-old-fashoned
    GUMBALL is in order! (I still have an unused vaycay-day or two).
    -Or anyone up for some before-work skiing? (Roger and I discussed
    this a while back.) I have a hard time getting up for work but no
    problem getting up to ski. ;^)  It's my weekend driver that won't
    get up in the morning. So, maybe a 6-8 AM midweek gumball somewhere?
    Comments and participents?...
    Doug 

    
    Yaaaaawn...
    Well I think I have recoved enough from the footin' fall from Doug's
    boat in July.  Pinched a nerve that runs down the left arm in that
    whiplash faceplant.  Recovered to the point where only one finger
    is numb.  Think I will stick to stick skiing for a bit.
    Let me know.  My boat is still up north.  We could take the Baron
    up there, as my car is at the airport now.
    
    Don
    

    Zounds Goot to me!
    How about next week, I can make myself available;
    Anyone else??
    Doug

    Let's rock and roll...time for a good old fashion...
    GUMBALL.
    
    Count me in next week.
    
    						-mike-

	a word of warning....

	Last sunday Mattawanakee... errrr   Forge Pond !  was about
the same shade of green as the characters I see on my terminal right 
now.  The whole lake had gone just like the channel on the Littleton 
side.  Maybe a bit better now there has been some rain, it hadn't 
rained for a couple of weeks or more.

	R

    G'mornin!  Yeah, I guess we've been delinquent in our gumball
    duties...but as has been mentioned, the distinct lack of boats has been
    a problem.  Mine is still in the water in RI, although based on the
    rapid decline of the water level on our lake it may be out by next
    week.  I'd bring it up here, but I still have the problem of where to
    store it (condo w/o garage really sucks!).  Plus with 174k miles on my
    car it isn't thrilled about towing it very far anymore.  Of course, I
    could do with a flight up to Don't place...I miss the Baron, and
    *still* haven't been in the Lake yet!  Wanna swoop in to my lake in RI
    next week?  It may very well be the last week to ski down there.  In
    any case, I'm open to any day next week...let's do it!
    
    ...Roger...
    
    P.S.  Wow...wouldn't it be great to have a gumball where we don't have
    to use multiple wetsuits, gloves, booties, hoods, camp stoves ... :-)

    I have held next Wed and Thurs open.  If the WX is good and we have
    a quarum, and nothin else happens, we will take the Baron up to
    my place in Maine on one of those days.   The Lake needs some minor 
    fixing and will probably be in the shop then, and cannot carry as
    many.
    
    Rog you can be the first to foot behind my boat.  Have a kneeboard
    and the BFI front harness and kevlar line for ya.
    
    I count Rick, Doug, Rog, Mike and myself  Sounds like a full load
    with three or four skis.   I have a World Team, and a Connely Wake
    Special, as well as combos up there.
    
    Don

    Sounds good Don.  I *should* be travelling light...remember, people
    wear SKIS, bad boys use THESE (pointing to feet)!  So all I need is my
    wetsuit, right?  :-)  But I guess I'll bring my "stick" too.
    
    Did you say combos?  Excellent...I figured out how to do the two ski
    jump out to barefoot last weekend...nifty, as long as you don't jump
    too high and keep your shoulders back.  Faceplants are painful enough
    from the standing position...when you jump up a foot or two and hit the
    water wrong...ooooooh the pain!  Definitely a maneuver where a cup
    should be worn!
    
    Kneeboard?  For barefoot starts?  Nah!  One rope, one skier, two feet,
    and all the beef your motor can muster, and we're footin'!  Just drag
    my sorry butt for a bit and I'm standing.  Deep water starts clear out
    the ol' sinuses real good!
    
    If WX is good, what's our ETD?  I assume it'll be from Hanscom?
    
    ...Roger...

    
    		* * * * * * * Mini-Gumball * * * * * * *
    
    	When: Tonite, Sept 28th, 17:30
    
    	Where: Merrimack River - See note 160.10 for directions
    
    	Who: Rick Suter, Ric Mershon, ???
    
    
                                
    	

    Bummer, I can't make the mini gumball tonight.  I gotta help my in-laws
    move furniture.  Oh well, I guess I'll just have to settle for skiing
    all day tomorrow!  Too bad, isn't it?  :-)
    
    ...Roger...

	Hey boys and girls, don't keep me waiting any longer...How was the
	Gumball??  I'm not seeing any reports and I'm wondering how
	exciting it really was...Come on, get me bummed out about all the
	great skiing I missed!

	-ric.

================================================================================
Note 335.99            Official 1989 Water Ski Season Note              99 of 99
DONVAN::DECAROLIS "The Open has Closed"              39 lines   2-OCT-1989 19:43
                             -< Too much fun  :>) >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Well, I'm sure glad I went because it was "way cool totally
RAD" fun!

A bunch of us "girly/men" got together Friday at Lake Webster
.... Rick S, Cecile, Doug, Roger, Fred, Alan and myself took
a tour of Lake Webster, ranking on just about every boat
that wasn't a Ski Nautique!  :>)  If anyone's interested
there's an island for sale on this lake for $380K.  

Doug, Roger and Rick S. showed us their barefootin' stuff and
it was just great to watch.  They did tumbleturns and deep-
water starts and Mike Seipel himself would have been
impressed.  :>)  Really!  BI paid off guys, it shows.

Fred had a need for speed as he went roaring on by us 
at about 92 MPH ... :>)  He cruises on those skis.
His buddy Alan was a 1st time footer with the help of
Roger G....Alan stood up at about 32MPH off the kneeboard
and had his first barefoot experience....and then he did
it again just to prove it wasn't beginners luck!  This guy is 
gonna be hooked now, fer sure.

Reg you weren't there, right!!!?

I got in a couple of trick runs and a slalomn=5 face plants
run but hey I had a wonderful time. 

Something I had never seen before was demoed for me, a
reverse deep water start on the tricks by Roger Bad Boy
himself.  You make it look tooo easy, Rog!  I know what
I'll be working on next year.

Good fun, good people, sure beats workin'!

Jeanne                                                  

================================================================================
Note 335.98            Official 1989 Water Ski Season Note              98 of 98
ROGER::GAUDET "Ski Nautique"                         76 lines   4-OCT-1989 13:03
                              -< Gumball minutes >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Gee Ric, I guess nobody wants to give their rendition of the gumball,
    so I'll do it (again).
    
    Rick S., Cecile (Rick's better half), Doug, Alan (Fred's buddy) and
    myself were all there by around 9:30, Fred should up shortly
    thereafter towing his boat.  Boats were launched and we got ready to
    go.  Jeanne showed up about 11:00ish and Reg got there sometime after
    noon.
    
    Some highlights:
    
    	o  I took the first run of the day, choking a flying slalom dock
    	   start.  Good way to wake up!  I also did some footin' and
    	   tumbleturns, as well as some backwards starts on Jeanne's tricks
    	   (hey Jeanne, got that picture of my butt rising out of the water
    	   developed yet?)
    	o  Doug skipped across the whitecaps on his slalom when we hit the
    	   center of the lake.  As I left, Doug was getting dragged across
    	   the water on his butt attempting some barefoot (yes, real
    	   *bare*foot) deep water starts.  Last I saw Doug was spinning on
    	   his back out of control after letting go of the handle.  Did you
    	   ever make it, Doug?
    	o  Rick S. discovered that his double high-wraps have to come off
    	   SOON!  Little cold jumping in the water, eh Rick?  Wait till the
    	   next gumball!  It gets colder before it gets warmer!  Rick also
    	   did some footin' (well actually, tennieing) off the kneeboard. 
    	   He tried some deep water starts, but nearly caused a tidal wave
    	   on one of the starts and decided to come off the board again. 
    	   Oh yeah, he also did some one foot (err, one-sneaker).  Guess
    	   that Nautique has the beef after all.  Hey Don, you call Correct
    	   Craft yet to order yours? :-)  Rick also did some trickin' on
    	   two and then showed us the proper way to slam your ribs on the
    	   water when he dropped one, although this wasn't totally his
    	   fault as he found out the hard way that Jeanne skis with her
    	   other foot forward.
    	o  Cecile learned some new "bend-zee-knees" techniques for crossing
    	   the wake on a slalom.  Much more stable now.
    	o  Jeanne showed us that she's been practicing on those tricks,
    	   performing some fine side-slides, 360s, 180s and jumps.  Even
    	   some slalom tricking!  Fabulous!  Also went out on her slalom
    	   ski, but decided that Rick's boat makes her fall.  I guess she's
    	   just used to jerking that Whaler around and the Nautique just
    	   doesn't submit to such punishment!
    	o  Fred called us "girly-men" and "girly-girls" (not a direct
    	   quote) for wearing wetsuits.  He took to the water with just
    	   trunks and a vest.  Though the jury is still out, the feeling is
    	   that Fred is not playing with a full deck to have done this.  We
    	   await the verdict!  :-)
    	o  Alan did some slalom, then goes out on the kneeboard and
    	   proceeds to 'foot on his very first try!  And not a shabby run,
    	   probably went a good 1000 yards before an eye-peeling face plant
    	   (he got caught by "drifting shoulders symdrome").  Do you know
    	   how many water-chewing dumps I took to get up my first time?  He
    	   claimed to have never done this before, but I have my doubts!
    	   :-)  A second run (after some difficulty with the kneeboard) was
    	   even more of a success.  Incredible for a first-timer.  Hope he
    	   can remember it all for next season.
    	o  Reg went out on 2 skis, then dropped one and took some loops. 
    	   Tried a few times to get out of the water on just his slalom,
	   but kept giving in to "waist blowout" (bent at the waist while
	   the boat pulls you up).  You're close Reg, just a little more
	   practice (when you're fresh) and you'll be up!  Reg also got on
    	   the trick skis then proceeded to damn near kiss the dock upon
    	   his landing.  Musta looked horrifying from the boat!  No
    	   injuries.
    	o  Booze cruise around the lake with Alan as our guide, showing us
    	   all the historic sights of Webster Lake, including a replica of
    	   the Statue of Liberty on someone's front lawn (for reason which
    	   are not obvious at this time) and an island which is for sale
    	   ($380,000).  We also cruised into Webster Lake marina to gawk at
    	   the boats.  Ah, nothing special, only Mastercrafts anyway!  :-)
    
    Did I miss anything?  Dunno what happened after about 4:15.  Next
    meeting time/date/place?
    
    ...Roger...

 Pictures!?  --  These ought to be good....
    
    	>>tumbleturns, as well as some backwards starts on Jeanne's tricks
    	>>(hey Jeanne, got that picture of my butt rising out of the water
    	>>developed yet?)

                I'll have those pictures back next week, Rog...gotta
           fire off the rest of the roll first....when I get them
           back I'll scan in the image and put it in here so every-
           body can have a look!  

                     No butts about it!  yuk yuk....
             (just how do you keep the water out of your nose
              with a start like that?)  
             
    	 >>  ski, but decided that Rick's boat makes her fall.  I guess she's
    	 >>  just used to jerking that Whaler around and the Nautique just
    	 >>  doesn't submit to such punishment!

                 Tell me about it!  There's a subtle difference
             between skiing behind a 35HP and a Nautique :>)  I
             went for my usual pull and the Nautique pulled right
             back and threw me out of my binding and across both
             wakes!  Oooohhhhkay......we're not in Kansas anymore!

Jeanne

    >>                 No butts about it!  yuk yuk....
    
    Arr arr!  I like it.  Are you really gonna scan a picture of my a$$
    coming out of the water?  Oh boy, now won't that be thrilling!  :-)
    
    >>         (just how do you keep the water out of your nose
    >>          with a start like that?)  
    
    Good question...I guess I don't notice it anymore.  Since learning to
    backwards barefoot and getting water blasted up my nose, I must have
    developed an anti-blast membrane in my nose 'cuz it doesn't seem to
    bother me anymore.  Of course, the faceplants still blast through this
    membrane and I'm shooting nose spray when I get home.  Tough on the
    sinuses.
    
    So, uh, next meeting?
    
    ...Roger...

    
    	re: Next one...
    
    		I think we'll have to just stay on alert 
    	(read: Keep the gear in the car) and when a warm
    	afternoon arrives, head out......
    
    	Whatcha think?
    
    	Rick

	Well, I hope the cameras dried out OK and the film didn't get 
ruined (or the cameras).  I guess my  "miss the dock by 1/1,000 of an 
inch while looking surprised and scared"  trick was quite spectacular.
If you guys coulda seen your faces (-:, (-:, (-:, (-:,  didn't know
I'd bin practicin that all season, eh ? 

	Cool, bright and calm right now - high in the low seventies 
tomorrow (friday) was the last I heard.

	R	{on a plywood product platform}

    >    	Cool, bright and calm right now - high in the low seventies 
    >  tomorrow (friday) was the last I heard.
       
    
    	Sounds close enough for me! Any takers for Mattawanakee in the
    afternoon?
    
    Rick

    
    Re: .101
    
    No Rog....I'm just kiddin' about scanning the image in....
    I'll send you the picture with a caption on it!  :>)
    
    jd/
    

	RE: .104

	What and where is Mattawanakee?

	Count me in!  I think that me and the dry suit can duck out of work
	at around 3:00pm!

	-ric.

    
    	RE: Mattawanakee... Directions are in 281.29... I'll be there
    around 3:00-3:30, meet me at the ramp
    
    Rick

	Yeah, me too - we gotta quorum.  Any more ?  

	Rick, do you want to try a cleaner and probably deeper launch
	site ? 

	Reg

    
    re: Reg
    
    	Is there such a thing as a cleaner/deeper launch at 
    Mattawanakee?
    
    Rick

    It's kind of funny seeing how the fall weather really gets the people
    together for watersports fun! Why does it take so long to get everybody
    together? Is it just that the crazies here do it all summer long
    with non-DEC-noters and there's just no time for the noting folks
    to meet? 
    
    Let's try to do at least a couple of "fair weather" gumballs NEXT
    YEAR! 
    
    Mike

>              (just how do you keep the water out of your nose
>              with a start like that?)  

    Based on years of spotting while roger was on the other end of the
    noose, I'm convinced that through some Darwinian process roger was
    born with an anti-backwash valve in his nose.
    
    If not, the pond he skis on in RI would be empty by now.
    
    ...tom

re  Rick,

	There are a couple.  One is at the end of a dead end street 
just before you get into Westford itself on 225, on the lake its at 
the (west ?) end of the ski course.  The other one is along the 
railroad tracks, not easy going but OK if you go slow enough.  Neither 
of them could be described as a soft sandy beach launch, but certainly 
no worse than last week at Webster. 

re           <<< Note 335.110 by SALEM::TAYLOR_M "Passing Lane Addict" >>>
>             -< Try some August and July get-togethers next year! >-

>    It's kind of funny seeing how the fall weather really gets the people
>    together for watersports fun! Why does it take so long to get everybody

	Wot fall weather ?   It hasn't even  *_STARTED_*  to get cold 
yet for these guys (-:, (-:, (-:, (-:, (-:, (-:

	Seriously, I think most of the local ski fraternity have the 
luxury of a summer home up north where they play in the warm season 
<envy, envy>.  They're just trying to squeeze a bit more fun in betweeen 
winterizing the cottage and winterizing the boat.

	R

    Did someone say, "ski course"? as in "Slalom Course"??
    is it (still) in?
    Doug. Who has to play Hockey tonight, but may come by for a quick
    ski...
    BTW.. Here's advance warning for skiing next week...The Malibu
    NEEDS to get back into the water. :^)

re                       <<< Note 335.113 by SETH::WHYNOT >>>
>                     -< It's not over 'til it's *FROZEN* >-

>    Did someone say, "ski course"? as in "Slalom Course"??
>    is it (still) in?

	Yep, though its not always totally intact, either souvenier
hunters take the pretty little colored balls or boats cruise by and
chop 'em up with their props.  Sometimes theres a guy right in the 
middle of it fishing from a canoe.  Anyway, its across from where the 
channel opens up onto the main body of water, nice little sheltered 
spot too.

>    BTW.. Here's advance warning for skiing next week...The Malibu
>    NEEDS to get back into the water. :^)

	Yeah, fibre-glass dries out real quick this time of year (-:

	R

RE: Note 335.109

>>    	Is there such a thing as a cleaner/deeper launch at Mattawanakee?
    
A cleaner/deeper launch at Lake Man-I-Wanna-ski?  Fat chance, that sounds 
like a campaign promise!  8^)

Rick W.

P.S.  I'll see you there anyway

>>    Seriously, I think most of the local ski fraternity have the 
>>    luxury of a summer home up north where they play in the warm season 
>>    <envy, envy>.  They're just trying to squeeze a bit more fun in betweeen 
>>    winterizing the cottage and winterizing the boat.
    
    ...and some of us have summer homes down south (RI...just a *little*
    south).
    
    As for dunking the Malibu, name the day.
    
    ...Roger... who's_wimped_out_and_winterized_his_boat_already

    
    	I've heard words like "Indian summer" used referring to
    tomorrow.... Does this bring to mind anything?
    
    Rick

    My ski, boom, wetsuits, etc. will be in my car should these words
    rearrange themselves into the word G-U-M-B-A-L-L !!!  Does this mean
    that your boat might follow you to work tomorrow?  What a shame!  :-)
    
    ...Roger...

            **G-U-M-B-A-L-L  A-L-E-R-T**
    Let's do lake Mattawanakee!  The Malibu will be there from 1-5pm.
    Anybody who's interested, just show up at the beach.
    Doug.

	I, being of sound mind (debatable, but anyway) do hereby 
declare  *_MYSELF_*  as the winner of the '89 season award for the 
last water skier on Lake Willoughby Vermont.   October 14th. 1989, 
approx 18:00 hours (that's military time, rught ?), two witnesses in 
the boat and about 40 more up at the house, partying.

	Reg

	{now, back to the mugs of hot cocoa}

><<< Note 335.120 by ULTRA::BURGESS "Plywood product platform performance person (P5)" >>>
>             -< Assuming nobody went out there on sunday,,,,, ??? >-
>
>
>	I, being of sound mind (debatable, but anyway) do hereby 
>declare  *_MYSELF_*  as the winner of the '89 season award for the 
>last water skier on Lake Willoughby Vermont.   October 14th. 1989, 
>approx 18:00 hours (that's military time, rught ?), two witnesses in 
>the boat and about 40 more up at the house, partying.
>
>	Reg


	Burrrrrrrrrr !  I hope you did a flying dock start & a dry landing !
	It was awful cold the last weekend I was up at Camp (Oct 7th).  I
	got the boat out of the water without getting wet which I thought was
	a MAJOR accomplishment.  

>	{now, back to the mugs of hot cocoa}

	Spiked with what ?  And did you drink 'em *before* or *after* your
	wild ride ?

	Chuck

    
    	Well.... no one has written about the last Gumball or as Reg
    would say Gunball.... :-) so here it is...
    
    	Thursday, October 12th was a nice sunny day, although the
    water temps are dropping rapidly. Almost as fast as Doug drops
    when barefootin'
    
    	This outing was attended by Jeanne, Doug, Ric, Reg, Roger,
    yours truly and a surprise appearance by Mike S, who had to
    stand on the beach while both the Malibu and the Nautique were
    floating on the other side of the lake with the occupants saying,
    "nah, that's some guy with a bunch of cameras".....
    
    	Footin' seemed to dominate the afternoon with runs by 
    Ric, Roger and Rick S who managed to get his hand caught
    between the boom and one of the cables... ouch!  Doug was
    even talked into a quick run on the boom, without the slap..
    
    	Maiden footin' runs were spectacularly performed by Jeanne
    and Reg. Jeanne said "Hey, I like this!" while Reg said
    "Ouch"... Come to think of it Reg said "no it didn't hurt" and
    everyone in the boat said "Ouch!" I think Doug donated his
    famous "slap" to Reg for the day...
    
    	Well, eventually we got around to picking up "the guy on
    the beach with all the cameras" AKA, Mike S. and he took several
    slalom runs, showing us that he'd been over in that course on
    Ft. Meadow a few times this past summer...
    
    	Doug was running late when departure time arrived and was
    detained even longer by a broken trailer leaf spring, which
    the best Mickey-mouse mechanics we could find rigged well enough
    to get Doug home. (Hey Doug, you did get home didn't you? Did you
    find a new spring?)
                                
    All in all a fine day, (except for the spring).... Keep that gear
    close at hand, who knows how many more warm days we'll get?
    
    Rick "wannabe" Suter

re  <<< Note 335.122 by ARCHER::SUTER "Gentlemen, start your *marine* engines!" >>>
>                    -< October 12th - How about November? >-

>    	Maiden footin' runs were spectacularly performed by Jeanne
>    and Reg. Jeanne said "Hey, I like this!" while Reg said
>    "Ouch"... Come to think of it Reg said "no it didn't hurt" and
>    everyone in the boat said "Ouch!" I think Doug donated his
>    famous "slap" to Reg for the day...

	Reg also said something like,  "Hey, I like this !",  though
you may not have heard it in the boat - also a  lot of other stuff
that I just muttered and can't print here.   Which particular pain
inflicting incident are you referring to as the  "slap" ?   I'm
guessing you mean the forward fall that happened when I let go of the
boom ?  I hurt all week-end, the upper arms are very bruised from the
boom, the tummy feels like I've done a coupla hundred sit_ups after 20
years of total inactivity, presumably from trying to curl up and come
around again for more.  I'm still high on the rush of having put my
feet in the water for what ?, 20 ft before they were swept back ?  
Reggie wantsa boom !   Needs some more strength and/or less weight 
though, gotta exercise some more !

>    	Doug was running late when departure time arrived and was
>    detained even longer by a broken trailer leaf spring, which
>    the best Mickey-mouse mechanics we could find rigged well enough
>    to get Doug home. (Hey Doug, you did get home didn't you? Did you
>    find a new spring?)

	Whatta bunch of pack rats ?  Whatta bunch of  "Improvisers" ?
		Mickey woulda been PROUD of our work !

	Thanks to Rick and Doug for the boats and to Roger for the 
coaching, great time !

	Reg

    Yup, I made it home o.k.  It's amazing what a couple of pieces of wood
    and about 50 ft of hefty rope can do!  I'm working on getting Shoreline
    to send me a new set of springs. (If they would only answer their
    phone.)  :*}  Plan B is to just buy a set, fortunately for me, they're
    not too expensive...But, since the Malibu is pickled for the winter,
    when's the next gumball? (someone elses call) I know, when it stops
    raining, right?  Hey Rick, you think you'll have your Centurion O/B
    in time for the *really* cold water when inboards can't be used? ;^)
    Doug "wannabee-in-a-warm-climate" Whynot

    
    So when are we doing another gumball and are you bringing
    the boom!  :>)
    
    After having a taste of what it feels like to foot I pulled out
    the barefoot WS issues and found an excellant article written
    by Scarpa on how to foot off the boom.  He's says to snow-plow,
    sort of, and not to use the DEATH GRIP....  you were right, Rick!
    
    Anyways, you wouldn't think (Reg) that footin' would take
    its toll on your abs, but I can tell you that my abdominals were
    screamin' all weekend, and it was murder to sneeze.
    
    Roger G., did some footin' on his hands....that was entertaining,
    and Doug blew through the course like Andy Mapple, cept Andy gets
    his hair wet, Doug doesn't..  :")
    
    Rick S., showed us a really neat "body over the front of the
    boom trick", though I don't think it was planned.  Glad you
    pulled out of that one, Mr. Suter.
    
    So....anyone want to go to Barefoot school with me!?  We
    can learn the "human-chain"!
    
    Jeanne
    

	RE: -1

	Jeanne,

	I'm psyched that you're hooked on the footin'!  I wish I could
	have seen your first lessons!  It really is addicting, isn't it?
	How do your feet feel?! :)

>>    Rick S., showed us a really neat "body over the front of the
>>    boom trick", though I don't think it was planned.  Glad you
>>    pulled out of that one, Mr. Suter.

	There have been some jokes about this in a couple places, and
	I look back at it and I laugh, a little.  I thought it was kind
	of scary actually, and there was potential for some serious
	injury.  I was the driver at the time, and the incident actually
	makes me want to open that discussion back in the Barefoot note
	about Boom safety.

	Rick was on the boom, and it wasn't set high enough.  When he
	got out onto it, there was enough weight on top of it to push
	the tip into the water.  Well, this caused the front of the boat
	to start to pivot a little around the boom and the boat was
	tilting quite a bit.  My initial reaction was to kick back on the
	throttle so we didn't start to pivot harder, and if felt like the
	boat was gonna tip too.

	I tried to yell to Rick to let go, but when you're doing a front
	mobius over the boom, you're probably more worried about your life
	than listening.

	I'm sorry about that Rick...I hope that hand is feeling better.
	Booms most definitely can be dangerous!  The first concern
	must always be the safety of the skier.

	I think that a boom lesson may be in order.  A lesson not only
	for the skier, but for the driver and passengers.  Everyone
	plays a role.  How about at the next gumball?? :-)

	-ric.

    Hmm, I guess I missed all this excitement about the Suter mobius! 
    Doesn't sound like it was much fun.  How's the hand Rick?  Almost ready
    to climb back on that horse?
    
    As for boom safety, I agree that we should all share our experiences
    around what can happen when using a boom.  I, for one, have seen many
    "close calls" or at least what looked like close calls after a second
    look.  I think the real issue here is driver reaction to the difference
    between long line skiing and boom skiing.  And I'm not only talking
    about what the skier does to make it "feel" different.  With the boom,
    weight distribution in the boat plays a major role in what the skier
    can/cannot do out there.  I'm sure all of us have been behind the wheel
    enough to know the kind of tugs and jerks (the pulling kind, not the
    person kind) you can experience, but it's a whole new ballgame when
    it's 10 feet off the side of the boat, tugging not only on the ski pole
    but on the bow eye as well.  Wanna get a real strange feeling?  Park it
    in the driver's seat while I do a barefoot swing-out on the 5'
    line...now that's weird (right Doug? Rick S.?)!  You almost think the
    boat's gonna "swing over" the skier.  What you have to do is
    counter-steer, just like you do in the slalom course when the skier
    comes out of the turn.
    
    Maybe at the next gumball we can share war stories.  Fortunately (for
    me anyway) they've all been "Wow, I didn't know *that* was gonna
    happen" type stories where the skier falls, and you come around saying
    to the skier, "Sorry...my fault.  I didn't realize the boat would react
    that way."  Next time, everything's fine.  But it only takes once to
    cause irreparable damage.  Awareness is the best prevention.
    
    ...Roger... who_anxiously_awaits_the_next_gumball

    
    From my perspective, it looked like Rick was footin' along
    just fine, saw some rough water ahead and put himself back
    up onto the boom, at which point the boom went under and
    Rick went over.....it happened real fast.  Maybe the boom
    wasn't set right or the weight distribution of people in
    the boat was wrong, I don't know.  Anyways, close call but
    all ended well....Rick went right back out there later.
    
    Yeah Ric T., my feet feel just fine, I wasn't on the water
    long enough to do any damage.  Right!  Very addicting.....
    Glad to end the ski season that way.
    
    jd/
    

	Can you say GUMBALL?!?!  I knew you could!!

	Hey folks, the time has come, we have no excuse this week!  The
	weather man is on our side!  High 60's and maybe even some 70's -
	all week long!!!  LET'S DO IT!!

		! ! ! ! ! G U M B A L L ! ! ! ! !

	Hey Reg, any new stuff to play with this week? :-)

	-ric. itchin_to_gumball

re            <<< Note 335.129 by TOOK::MERSHON "Keep your toes up!" >>>
>                         -< Calling all GUMBALLERS!! >-

>	Can you say GUMBALL?!?!  I knew you could!!

	Sure CAN !   ...and if ever I said  "gunball"  it was a 
freudian reference to what I thought had hit me in the mid section 
after last thursday on the boom, i.e. a cannonball !

>	Hey Reg, any new stuff to play with this week? :-)

	If I'd had $229 to spare (HaH !) and if it hadn't been in that 
Yuckie dull gold and black I  MIGHT  have bought it (-:
As it turns out I just have the $6 glove liners to try out, plus the 
wetsuit repair cement - BIG SPENDER, eh ?

	Reg



	O'  course, if I'd had ~$20K to spare I *_MIGHT_* have bought 
a new Nautique too (-:

    RE: Gumball: Yay, man!  Any day but Tuesday.
    
    Lakes are sure up higher after last week's torrential rain.  Went to my
    lake yesterday...my docks's floating again!  This is amazing
    considering last weekend it was sitting on the ground with 10 feet of
    beach beyond it.  The lake must have come up two feet!  Too bad it
    wasn't WARM water that fell last week!  :-)
    
    ...Roger...

    ok, i'll ask the dumb question.
    
    what's "gumball" got to do with water skiing?
    
    jim (ps, the only time I tried to water ski, they called me THE TORPEDO
         because all I ever managed to do was get dragged horizontally at
         high speed).
    

    
    jim,
    
    	Gumball is the official secret word of the skiing crazies
    which signals that an outing is immanent....
    
    	Speaking of Gumballs.... does anyone have their stuff in the
    car today? I apologize for the short notice, but that's what my
    schedule lends itself to these days....
                                   
    Rick

    Not today, but how 'bout tommorrow??
    
    Wasn't "Gumball" the secret word used in the movie "Cannonball Run"?
    
    DW

    
    Nah.. Wednesday might have possibilities for a *late* quick
    one.. maybe 4:30 or 5:00 on the river, but Thursday and Friday
    are out for me...
    
    Rick

RE:  
>> Wasn't "Gumball" the secret word used in the movie "Cannonball Run"?
 

Naah, I don't think so.  Cannonball and The Gumball Rally were two
virtually identical movies about a cross-country race.  Both movies
were about a bunch of people just chucked all their other responsi-
bilities to race across the country like a bunch of maniacs.

Which is why the word "gumball" is appropriate when everyone blows 
out of work to go water skiing.

Rick

	Why don't I know better to bring my stuff to work with me! :-(
	Rick, if I had my stuff, I'd be with you in a flash!

	It's too bad, because the sun's gonna be settin' alot earlier
	next week.  I guess we have no choice but to blow out of work
	earlier! :-)

	-ric. whose_feet_are_getting_soft_for_a_gumball

    
    Received a catalog from Ski Limited yesterday, there's a
    new 1990 Ski Calendar with a picture of some dude
    barefootin' while hanging off of a helicopter.
    
    Maybe Reg, when you approach Digital about putting together
    a water-skiing club for us, you could mention this!  :>)
    
    jd/
    

	Well, its getting to be fewer and fewer of us as the year gets
older and colder.  On tuesday night Rick made the astute observation 
that his turn was coming around again  REAL QUICK with so few of us 
(2) :-).   The water was high on the MuckieMac, all the rain the week 
before was  COLD  rain and the winds had put a lot of trash into the 
river - I joked that we could have as easily trolled around for the 
evening and picked up a cord or two of firewood;  seriously, there 
were 4 and 6 inch diameter branches floating down the river, OK at 
least they were easily visible, also a 55 gallon plastic drum from
somebody's dock and (separately) an inverted section of dock about 8ft
by 3ft just floating at surface level, potentially  VERY DANGEROUS ! 
We each skied, Rick footed off the boom, I could see him to the side
and every time I glanced in the mirror there seemed to be a dozen
leaves at altitudes around 12ft., weird.  I couldn't get as far 
with footing as the first time I tried, I've been trying to figure out
if it was fear of abs pains for the rest of the week, or a fear that
the boom wasn't high enough due to less weight on the starboard side
to balance me - dunno, but I just lacked the confidence to try hard
enough; I have the abs pains anyway, so I might as well have gone for 
it (-:

	re the Merrimac itself:  Rick navigated us north from the 
Chelmsford ramp to up past MPM; there are some land marks that 
identify (to those who know) where to zig and zag in order to avoid 
the rocks/submerged_stone_wall.  I think I can follow the path we 
took, but can't describe it.  Here's a request for everyone's 
description of the  "best"  navigation path for missing the rocks
behind MPM.

	Reg

re          <<< Note 335.138 by DONVAN::DECAROLIS "She Walks On Water" >>>
>                           -< Check out Ski Limited >-

    
>    Received a catalog from Ski Limited yesterday, there's a
>    new 1990 Ski Calendar with a picture of some dude
>    barefootin' while hanging off of a helicopter.

	Yeah, I got it too - happens to be on my desk right now (-:
    
>    Maybe Reg, when you approach Digital about putting together
>    a water-skiing club for us, you could mention this!  :>)

	Make up your  MIND !   Do you now want me to get back to
employee activities and cancel the request for the promo boat(s) ?
Gee, that was going so well - wholesaler's price on the boat, divide
by two for dec's matching funds, divide by number of
participants......  OK, but they already  HAVE  the 'copters, I see
where you're coming from - and we could have  LITERALLY  "NO WAKE"  at 
any and all speeds.... hmmmmmmmm,,,,   think, think.

	R

    I guess we're really gonna let this beautiful weather pass on by, eh?
    Bummer.  Well, I'm gone tomorrow, and all weekend...maybe Indian summer
    will hang around into next week?  If not, we'll just have to brave the
    40's and 50's like last year.
    
    ...Roger...

re                <<< Note 335.141 by 6056::GAUDET "Ski Nautique" >>>
                             -< I need a garage! >-

>    I guess we're really gonna let this beautiful weather pass on by, eh?

	I could go home and get my little I/O, we could be wet by 
17:00, which would allow about an hour....  ???

	R	{also gone tomorrow and for the whole week-end;  err  
		NOT with Roger, but I didn't need to mention that, 
		right ? (-:}

	Hi Guys,

	This guy's gettin' a little depressed, hasn't skied in two weeks!
	Are those inboards winterized yet?!  This weather is supposed to
	hold out into next week, with some high 70's early in the week!
	I'm ready to take a half day off if necessary!!  Any takers?
	I'll be sure to travel with my gear in the truck next week! :-)

	So Reg, what's this about a ski club?  If we promise to represent
	the company at tournaments, do you think they'll give us time off
	for training (GUMBALLS!)?  :-)

	Has anyone seen the new Nautique yet!?!?!  I just got my Nov/Dec
	issue of WaterSki last nite, and plastered on the inside cover is
	an advertisement for it!!  What a hot lookin' boat!!  And it looks
	nothing like the old Nautique-a new hull design and more!

	CorrectCraft is claiming little spray and the lowest wake in the
	industry, and I believe 'em!  (I'd rather judge for myself though,
	think they'd give me a demo boat?)  One of the shots in the
	advertisement has Mike Kjellander (sp?) behind the boat pulling out
	of one of his dunks, and would you believe that the 50 feet of spray
	out the side of the boat that the Nautique is famous for, just isn't
	there!  Should make for tumble ups on the boom next to one of these
	things much easier!  I hope I get to ski behind one some day!! :-)

	Rick, do you think this will make the new boat decision a little
	tough?

	GUMBALL   GUMBALL   GUMBALL   GUMBALL   GUMBALL   GUMBALL

	(Subliminal hint!)

	-ric.

    Anyone for Saturday?  My boat is in the driveway ready to go.
    
    Don

    
>        Anyone for Saturday?  My boat is in the driveway ready to go.
>    
>    Don
 
    	Hey Don,
    
    		You are still alive! :-)   I think Saturday's a great
    idea, the Nautique is not winterized yet, either.... How about some
    place close, cause I'd have to leave by mid afternoon....?
    
    Rick

    
      Re: -couple
    
        Hey, I'd be up for tomorrow if you have room for one more....
    
        I'd love to get in one more trick run and another barefoot
     experience before wrapping up the season.  I'm out for the
    afternoon, but I'll log in later to get the scoop.
    
    Jeanne 

    How about Littleton?
    
    Don
    

    I passed a Blue and while Formula on 495 as I was coming to work this 
    morning. I saw the name but forgot what it was when I went to mention it. 
    I was wondering if you were having a gumball today?
    
    								Rob.

    
    	I sure would like to find a replacement for Mattawanakee,
    but if there is none it will do....
    
    Rick

    
    	I'll be at the ramp at Mannawanakee about 11:00 and
    the beach shortly thereafter, tomorrow, Saturday, Oct 28th...
    
    Rick

    Well, what happened? Who went??
    Doug-Who under threats of death stayed home and did yardwork :^( 

    
You don't want to know Doug!  It was great, water was
calm, temps were about 78 deg....we did tricks, foots,
and slalomn.  I never thought I'd ski this late in the
year.  Thanks again, Rick!

Attendees:  Rick, Cecile, Rick Jr., Don and myself

------------------------------------------------------
Highlight of the afternoon:

Late in the afternoon this macho Scarab boat, which
sounded like a jet-drive to me, starts buzzing around,
chopping up our calm water.  The boat has a rooster
tail on it measuring about 100' in length and 60' in
height.

Finally he parks the Scarab in the middle of the lake.  
Rick decides he wants to go for a slalomn run and as we
pull him past the Scarab, we notice the couple have
disappeared from view.  Rick starts motioning that he
wants to be pulled close to the boat so he can spray
them.

Cecile pulls Rick right by the Scarab and I'm thinking
"He won't do it, he wouldn't do anything like that"...
Rick puts about 200 gallons of water into the Scarab,
he nails em good!

As we're pulling away, (giggling) two heads pop up outa 
nowhere, and then the Scarab comes after us....and this guy
isn't mad....he just wants to get even!  He pulls
up alongside us, turns the wheel and dumps 8000 gallons
of water into the Nautique!  We almost sunk!              

Now what I want to know Rick, is how come you had all
the fun, and we paid the price?!  

      Jeanne -who laughed all the way home after that one!

		Gunball Alert !

	It ain't over 'til its over, so......

	I propose next thursday 16th November - I  *_KNOW_*  the 
weather  WILL  be fine.

	R

    Oh good, I haven't skiied yet this November...And we are quickly
    running out of decade.  :^)  Of course, as usual, weather permitting.
    Keep us posted..
    Doug

    
    
    	Hmmmmmmmm..... seems pretty warm this afternoon......
    
    	If I could manage to clear my desk of a few things maybe
    I could skip out this afternoon..... Any takers?
    
    Rick

re  <<< Note 335.155 by ARCHER::SUTER "Gentlemen, start your *marine* engines!" >>

	Yes,  do we have a third ?

	R

    I'm #3!  Where and when?
    Doug

    Why is it you guys pick days that I'm away from my "normal" workplace? 
    Oh well, if you guys made it, how'd it go?  I hope we get another shot
    at it, 'cuz I wanna ski again this decade!
    
    ...Roger... 
    who_drove_past_several_glass_calm_lakes_along_the_pike_today_and_wimpered

re           <<< Note 335.158 by ROGER::GAUDET "Nothing unreal exists" >>>
>                        -< Please don't say it's over! >-

	I think they didn't  - -  crashing hardware or some such.  I'm 
still planning on next thursday, with some luck I may even keep a lot 
warmer than usual - perhaps even  "DRY" !

	Reg	{Monday and wednesday are aerobics nights (-: }

	That I packed my truck with my stuff yesterday cause it looked
	like a grea day, but...there was something wrong with the
	routers out of LKG, and I couldn't get to this notesfile
	(or any other off site) all day!

	AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!

	Next Thursday sounds great!  Drizzle or shine!  Count me in!

	-r.

    
    
    	Is it supposed to stay sunny today? If so, how about
    this afternoon for a GB, as long as my phone stays quiet...... 
    
    Rick

    I didn't bring my stuff, but I *might* be persuaded to go get it if I
    knew where and when.
    
    ...Roger...

    Just *happen* to have my stuff with me (still).
    I even came in early today, so I can leave early. :^)
    When and where, providing the phone-calls hold off..
    Doug
    

    
       How was the skiing, guys?!  
    
    jd/
    

re                      <<< Note 335.154 by TAZRAT::WHYNOT >>>
>               -< Who's gonna be the last skier of the decade? >-

	You pose an interesting question.

	It would be illegal, of course, buttttttt...... 


	If santa brought us each a dry suit and lotsa winter woolies 
I  s'pose  we could ALL  ('cept the driver)  ski from  11:59  to  00:01.
{ That's  "Military time"  (-:}

	R

    Damn nippy!  But excellent!  Reg wins the "brave soul" award for
    longest duration in the chilly water.  He gaffed 3 deep water starts
    (his "regular" ski was lost in the river currents...later recovered by
    Rick's keen eye).  Doug took the endurance run of the day, waving to
    the traffic helicopter (wish we knew which station it was for...musta
    had some interesting words about us).  Rick and I got stupid and did
    some footin' (well, he did some tennieing and I did some bootin'). 
    Good thing, too, 'cuz there was lots of stuff floatin' in that river
    (like logs, twigs, leaves, pipes, etc.) which wouldn't have felt too
    good on bare soles!  It was like an obstacle course just to drive the
    boat, never mind hang on to the rope while swinging back and forth!  In
    any case, a good time was had by all, especially back in the vehicles
    with the heater on HIGH!
    
    ...Roger...  looking_forward_to_the_next_one!

    The weather Dudes are saying "Indian Summer this week" (I think they
    just like to say that...) anyway, temps in the mid sixties?!
    
    Re: Reg; We could just go to "the land down under" and ski where it's
    warm. ;^) 
    
    DW

	I'm dyin' to try out my new Icebreakers gloves!

	-rm.

    1) Forecast for today is sunshine with temps in the low 70's
    
    2) Forecast for tomorrow and Thurs. is possible showers with temps
       in the 50's
    
    3) Friday's forcast says temps will *PEAK* in the upper 30's!!!!!
    
    4) My stuff is in my car
    
    5) I wanna ski!
    
    ...Roger...

	6. it may never be this warm again 'till 1990

	7. *I* wanna ski

	That makes two of us...

	Add one more and a boat and we got a gumball!

	-ric. hoping_to_be_blazing_across_water_this_afternoon

    Funny how my stuff just happens to be in the truck today.
    Anyone out there got a boat? (not yet winterized, that is) :^)
    Might I suggest the Merrimack, as the predicted winds will be less of a
    factor on the river..
    Doug (now going to request 2hrs Vacay time...)
    

    
    	n. I wanna ski...........!
    
    	But, my workload is not cooperating, but keep your terminals
    focused on notes and mail just in case I can find my way out of
    here......
    
    Rick

    Hey Rick, would 3 guys armed with automatic assault rifles, wearing
    black ski masks and charging into your office area to take you hostage
    help you to get out earlier?  :-)
    
    >>        -< Work is for people who don't know how to foot! >-
    
    If this is to be taken as fact, then perhaps you have the wrong job?
    :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)
    
    ...Roger...

    A fine time was had by both!  :-)  Rick and I went skimming across the
    Merrimack yesterday, taking 4 or 5 footin' runs each to cap off a
    beautiful day in the neighborhood.  Rick had it a bit easier than me
    'cuz he managed to pull himself back onto the boom after each run.  I
    just couldn't seem to get a grip on the rope, so I had to settle for
    the old "I'm gonna let go now, so when I do, whip that boat around real
    quick before I turn into the proverbial ice cube!"  But with the warm
    air temps (around 65 at ski-time), it wasn't that bad.  Hey, a little
    sufferin' won't kill ya!  It sure does get dark early, though...I got
    there around 4:10, and most people had their headlights on.  We took
    our runs, then pulled the boat out at 4:55, in the dark!
    
    ...Roger...  eagerly_awaiting_the_next_one

    Can you say "Gumball" ?
    
    Just kidding. What's that? Meet you at Killington?

    
    	Today? Nah..... but what's the outlook for Tues or Weds?
    
    	I think the Nautique will get winterized this weekend.....
    
    	Rick

    Funny, I was going to enter a reply that "It stopped snowing..Let's go!
    but I had 2nd thoughts do to my w*rk-load. ;^)
    It is 'sposed to warm up though...
    Doug

    
    The weather ought'a be just about right on Friday for you 
    diehards.  I heard there's the possibility of a *major*
    snowstorm Thursday night and Friday.  I guess that would
    be another first, eh?
    
    Rick (who will be working on the sn*wmobile on Friday) 

    Winterized?  Sooooooooo, you're getting tired of walking to your car in
    the cold, eh?  Sounds like the boat's getting a new parking spot after
    this weekend!  :-)
    
    Gumball?  For me, Tuesday's out, maybe Wednesday (I'll toss my stuff in
    the car in case you guys twist my arm...shouldn't be hard), definitely
    Friday if Rick W.'s snowstorm doesn't materialize!  :-)  I'll check the
    weather forecast tonight.
    
    Hey Don Wilson!  You still here?  Haven't heard from you in a loooooong
    time.  We miss your hooded presence at the gumballs!!!!  We need you to
    show Reg how to be a man and jump right in that cold water!  :-)
    
    ...Roger...  

re           <<< Note 335.179 by ROGER::GAUDET "Nothing unreal exists" >>>
>              -< I heard highs in the mid-30's for Tue. and Wed. >-

>    show Reg how to be a man and jump right in that cold water!  :-)

>    ...Roger...  

	Eh ?  SayWhat ?  Gee, it ain't december yet and theres already 
ice in mah ears !


	Reg	{stuff  IS  in the car, and I might have a surprise 
			or two for Ya at the next gumball,,,,,heh, heh}

    

    I screwed up my back again, so I may be done for the year, but
    ya never know, the boat is still ready to go.
    
    Don
    

    
    
    I just read this in the rec.boats USENET conference and thought you
    guy's/gal's might find this an interesting conversation...
    
    								-mike-
    ==========================================================================
    
Subject: Re: Footwear for Waterskiing
Keywords: waterskiing footwear brrr
Message-ID: <7228@tekigm2.MEN.TEK.COM>
Date: 17 Nov 89 20:21:35 GMT
References: <1989Nov13.224704.2383@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> <3164@husc6.harvard.edu> <134@boston-harbor.lucid.com>
Reply-To: jimb@tekigm2.MEN.TEK.COM (Jim Boland)
Distribution: na
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Vancouver,  WA.
Lines: 55

In article <134@boston-harbor.lucid.com> yduJ@lucid.com (Judy Anderson) writes:
 >I'm a water skier, and I'd like to ski for longer than the typical
 >season.  I found that during October I didn't need footwear (I did
 >wear a 1/8" wetsuit), but in November I was unhappy with this
 >situation.  I have neoprene booties, and I can cram a bootied foot
 >into one of my skis...but naturally not the ski I like.  I'm trying to
 >find footwear that's very thin so I can stick my foot into my ski
 >binding but still has some warmth properties so my feet don't freeze.
I water ski all year.  I just put my booties on last Sunday.  I don't know
exactly what the brand is but they are basically wet suit booties.  I believe
the thickness is either 1/8" or 3/16".  They keep my feet warm for quite a 
long time.  I practice with a show team for about 4 hours every Sunday all 
winter, so I am in water (my feet are) most of that time.  I leave them on.
I wear an OS Systems dry suit with these booties over it.  The water temp in
January is about 38-40 degrees and my feet stay warm (as long as I keep 
moving).  
If you have a high wrap binding (such as you find on jump skis) they usually
will keep your feet warm even without booties.  The good bindings usually
have 1/4" rubber which insulates your foot. 
I use soap and slide my foot into the binding with the booties on.  It's a
tight fit, but it's worth it just to ski that time of the year.  For my
pyramid skis (with Cypress adjustable bindings) I open the setting by two
numbers.

 >What are "aqua sox"?  Could they fit my needs?  
Made by Nike.  Cost about $25.  I don't think they fit your needs.  They are
nice for walking around on gravel, etc.  They are kinda like slippers.  Nice
to have but don't really insulate.
 >
 >I'm also looking for winter gloves for waterskiing.  
 >I have a pair of waterskiing gloves, but they're only for
 >gripping and have large holes on the backs of the hand to allow for
 >water flow (to keep you cool in the summer), which isn't the right
 >thing when the water is 55.  My hands got so cold without protection
 >that they were really numb and painful and it took quite a while to
 >recover.  
I use some gloves called Neo Gloves.  They work well.  I have some friends
who have something called "Dry Gloves".  They are like a dry suit.  
You can get some plastic waterproof gloves (like Playtex) and put those on
your hands and then put your ski gloves over them.  Your hands get cold from
the wind on the wet gloves.  Wear the waterproof gloves (dishwashing gloves)
to keep your hands dry, then your ski gloves for grip.  There are also newer,
thicker ski gloves out which don't have the holes.  I plan to get some of those
(with the extra padding on the palms and fingers).
 >
 >I've actually given up for this season, but I'm sure I'll want to
 >start up again in March or April, as soon as the lake thaws for the
 >last time.

At least our water doesn't freeze.
>           yduJ (Judy Anderson)         ...!sun!edsel!yduJ

jim boland
AWSA Certified Water Ski Instructor
tektronix!tekigm2!jimb

re      <<< Note 335.182 by ASPEN2::BOIKO "Is this Heaven..No, it's Iowa.." >>>
>                  -< USENET - Cold Water Skiing Equipment... >-

	Thanks for the entry;

	There's (at least one) OS Supply suited skier in this 
conference, lotsa wet suiters (or is that  SUTER ?  (-:  ) too.
I'm using the Connelly Ice Breaker gloves with thin liners that I
bought at a divers shop.  I have the booties and hood, but havn't worn
them yet this season, I guess it gets a bit colder on the Merrimac 
than in the Pacific north west, though they say it doesn't actually 
freeze most years.  I guess they probably don't salt the ramp in North 
Chelmsford either, and the turn around probably doesn't get plowed, so
getting the boat in and out could be a problem.  {geeze, the things I 
find to b*tch about (-: , its not as if I pay Chelmsford any taxes.}

BTW, the added thickness of neoprene gloves and divers gloves makes 
them harder to curl into a handle gripping fist - too much spring for 
my liking.

	Reg

PS  At some point the cooler doesn't need any ice, right Rick ? (-:

    RE: .181  I had a funny feeling something happened to you, Don.  I know
    you're a busy guy, but you were *too* quiet!  Hope the back's getting
    better.  Your boat may be the only one left after this weekend.  Better
    check the supply of camp stove fuel and "antifreeze"!  :-)
    
    RE: .182  Good stuff, Mike.  Thanks for sharing that with us.  I'll
    have to try that dishwashing glove trick.  I still think that there
    must be some sort of material that can be used to insulate from the
    cold, resist water penetration, and still be thin enough to allow the
    flexibility required in water skiing.  Perhaps I should get into fabric
    design?  Hmm...new business?  :-)
    
    ...Roger...

	Turkey day approaches......  anyone up for a get wet session 
this friday, satur(ation)day, or sunday ?

	I might just bring my boat up to the murky_muck this 
week-end...  specially if I think there will be some familiar faces 
there,,,,,

	R	{it needs at least one person at each end of the rope}

    
    I might be talked into it.... I'm in the book in Lowell....
    
    Rick

    A friend of mine was out snowplowing this past weekend and he told me
    there was some people out *water skiing* on the Merrimack!
    I asked "Wouldn't have been a white with blue Sea Ray would it?"
    O.K. guys, Fess Up!
    Doug

    
    I get so excited when I read statements like this one.....

    >    A friend of mine was out snowplowing this past weekend and he told me
    >there was some people out *water skiing* on the Merrimack!

     
    	What a wonderful sentence.. snowplowing and waterskiing together!
    
    		:-)
    
    	Honest... It wasn't me.... there are a couple other WS crazies
    on the river....
    
    Rick

re .187		It might have been the guys that passed me around
Littleton headed south on 495 at about 4pm towing a Supra TS6M (I
think). 

	Reg

    
    
    	Moving from the 89' Nautique news note to Gumball note....
                                               
    
    	I heard from a co-worker that the temps might reach the 50s
    tomorrow. Anyone else heard similar reports? Roger, are you sure
    about that Quinsig report? The Merrimack is starting to look damn near
    frozen...?
                                            
    I'm always game.... for "just one more"
    
    Rick

>if only I could get my cousin to rent me his condo down in central Florida
>(don't know the exact location) for a week...he only wants to rent it in 3+
>month blocks.  Gonna have to slap the boy around a bit!  :-)

	Start slapping!!!!!
    
    Rick

re  <<< Note 335.190 by ARCHER::SUTER "Where will you be on December 8, 1989??" >>>
>                            -< 50 degrees anyone? >-
    
>    	I heard from a co-worker that the temps might reach the 50s
>    tomorrow. Anyone else heard similar reports? Roger, are you sure
>    about that Quinsig report? The Merrimack is starting to look damn near
>    frozen...?

	Geeze, where worketh thine co-worker ?  am weather didn't say 
anything about 50s this morning - something about snow later in the 
week though.

	I'm sure that Quinsiggy was clear at noon yesterday, I drove
all along the west edge from I290 to rte 9, didn't see ANY ice, looked 
especially nice behind Roy's marina, 'tis 100 ft deep in parts - I
guess the prop biters must float about a foot and a half below the
surface (-: 

	If we can't get up enough interest to ski, how about a little 
break-in cruise ?  Ginger brandy, amarretto, schnapps, that kind of 
activity ?  Then the break-in maintenance and winterize routine - 
don't touch any bare metal with ungloved hands or you'll stick to it 
til spring.

	What am I talking about ?;  I have a dry suit, so does Ric M.,
the macho types can get cold if they want to, or borrow my dry suit if 
they don't mind wimping out (-:
	
	R

    RE: Rick S.:  50's?  You sure he's in the same region of the U.S.?  I
    heard 35 today, and around 30 for the rest of the week.  I like you're
    buddy's forecast better, although it ain't much good if it's fantasy!
    
    Anytime on Quinsiggy is fine with me...2 minute drive from the comforts
    of home to the ramp.  Everyone's welcome to drop over for some
    apres-ski warm-up/thaw-out.  Cold beers available for those who don't
    do the hard stuff!  Reg, just name the time for the christening of your
    new machine.  I'll bring my stuff, but I might also take you up on the
    drysuit borrow offer.  Call me a wimp, but a dry wimp!  :-)
    
    ...Roger...

    
    	Well, tomorrow ain't the 8th, but it's close.... I'm game!
        
    Do you think I can find booties on the way over? Reg, would you
    have the boom with you or should I bring mine?
    
    Rick

re  <<< Note 335.194 by ARCHER::SUTER "Where will you be on December 8, 1989??" >>>
>                   -< CCCCCCooooollllldddd... NNnnaaaahhhh! >-
    
>    	Well, tomorrow ain't the 8th, but it's close.... I'm game!

	OK, I'll send out a final conf to the "usual list of suspects" 
around mid morning tomorrow, will try for 1 pm, that's 13:00 milit<never 
mind>  at the ramp.
        
>    Do you think I can find booties on the way over? Reg, would you
>    have the boom with you or should I bring mine?

	Don't bother going to Roy's, he is closed this week, probably 
wouldn't have them anyway.  Gauch, USA marine, Russel's ?, I doubt it. 
I'll have the boom and one pair of booties, full length wet suit and 
dry suit, may not ski, depends,,,,,

	R

    I'm game! I got booties if you need them.
    Please send directions with the final confirmation.
    Doug.
    [Ice skating off a boom...what a concept!]

    
    	I can't get on ARCHER this morning to read my mail, 
    are we going skiing today? We must be ill!
    
    Rick

I'm there.  I'll have my booties, wetsuits, etc.  Gonna take some convincing to
get out there, though.  But I'm sure it'll happen once I'm suited up.

The real thin ice is creeping its way away from shore, probably 100 yards off
the north end as of this morning (not quite to the Rt. 290 bridge yet).  Still
clear at the ramp.  The thing that worries me is that there's no steam rising
off the lake in the mornings anymore (last year there was steam until late
December when it finally froze).  I guess that means there's not much heat left
that water!  Oh well, ta heck widit!  Let's do it.

...Roger...

	Well, we went.  There were some minor problems with the new
toy - damned thing would fire once or twice but not start.  Doug
diagnosed that (THANKS AGAIN !) and we cruised around for a bit
waiting for someone else to show up.  A trip up to the rte 9 bridge
and a little bit beyond revealed the extent of the ice situation, not
REAL bad but we couldn't get much south of Roy's.  We discovered the
sound of ice creaking and cracking from the boat's wake - weird.  Back
to the ramp and we found Roger, so we picked him up and cruised a bit
more for ride, wake and spray evaluation - but nobody seemed to want
to get wet (-:   Rick (or was it Fred next ?) showed up soon after
that, we did some more break-in cruising - after a while Rick got
impatient, so we set up the boom and Rick and Roger did their
thing(s), a few times in fact.  After we dropped Fred off we went back
and found that we could get somewhat farther south than an hour or two
earlier, (was this the spring thaw already ?) so we cut out a section
to use south of rte 9.  I found it a little scary to be driving with
someone out on the boom at a little over 40 and knowing that I
couldn't make any sharp turns, or cut the power too quickly, but the
available space was limited by 1/4 inch thick ice, some of which was
drifting around in packs<errr, "pack ice" ?>.  "Come in number 9, your
time is up !  COME IN NUMBER 9 !"   WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF WATER !

	I had a few comments about the gulls (bird brains) being dumb
enough to stand on the ice and not smart enough to perch in trees - we
suspect that they though something similar of the humans that could
have been in the big, heated concrete buildings (-: 

	I think the funniest part was at the ramp afterwards.  I had
pulled all the plugs to drain the engine and there was a few gallons
of ~150 degree water pouring out of the drain.  Three grown men
paddling around in bare feet (and wet suits) with snow and ice on the
ground - "certifiable behaviour",  I say (-:,  (-: 

	Then to cap it all, just as we were about to leave another 
suburban showed up with an older outboard boat on the back.  Rushed it 
into the water and headed out to (long-line) foot off it, this must 
have been around 4 pm (err that's 16:0<never mind>), about 20 minutes 
of daylight left.  Rick:  "I thought we were s'posed to be last !, hey 
you can't do that !"

	Reg

{When do we do it again ?}

Well, we forgot the champagne to christen the new machine, but we did give her a
thorough break-in.  Two guys footin' within the first 5 hours of engine time.  I
guess that boat knows what it's in for!

Thanks to Reg for a fine December ski.  These things are good for the soul but
bad for the wallet (potentially).  Boy that '90 Nautique is a beauty, Reg (even
if it is faggy blue :-)).  Gotta get me one!  And then, Reg let's me try his
drysuit.  Now I gotta get me one too.  It certainly does keep you dry, and it's
really buoyant too.  So let's see, $20k + $250 = $20,250.  Where's my checkbook?

Hey Reg, any scratches from the ice crunching against the hull?  Didn't like the
sound of that...

...Roger...

Looking forward to another one if the lake stays liquid!

RE: Note 335.200    

>> Rick (or was it Fred next ?) showed up soon after

That's OK Reg, you can use my real name this time.  I told the boss
I was sneaking out for an hour for a boat ride.  


>> certifiable behaviour

Yeah, the guys at Gauch Bros. Marina did look at me a little funny 
when I stopped in to ask them where the boat launch is.  Their end
of the lake is completely frozen.  The customers at McQuales
restaurant certainly seemed to enjoy the show, and fortunately no
accidents were reported up on the route 9 bridge.

I was only able to stick around long enough to see Rick Suter footin'.
As soon as his feet hit the water the grin was wiped right off his
face, and he remained speechless until he climbed back into the boat.  
He was last seen looking for some bigger tennies to go over those 
booties!

Nice boat Reg!  Don't worry about the "fbb" comments, those colors 
are right in style now.  Now that you've gotten just a taste of it,
the four months 'til April is gonna seem like forever.

Rick W.  (Only_18_weeks_'til_spring_launch)

    
    
    	Ah yes... and the secret words are "Don't remove your booties!".
    
    	A very nice afternoon spent in a very nice new toy (Thanks Reg).
    I'm really impressed with the difference between my 87' and Reg's
    90' Nautique. The 90' is like driving an entirely different boat.
    It's so quiet that a conversation really can be carried on from
    front to back seat (less snow ski hats, whadya say Doug?)
    
    	The PCM Power-plus 351 with it's 13X14 prop screams out of the
    hole. I think my arms will feel the effects of the gear reduction
    and the bigger prop! Better start buying shirts with longer sleeves.
    
    	Hey guys, what's this piece of ice doing on the swim platform?
    
    	Correction: It was 2 grown men in wetsuits and 1 grown man in
    a snowsuit. And yes the 2 in wetsuits did enjoy splashing about
    in that warm engine water.... :-)
    
    	About that guy with the attitude that showed up around 
    sixteen hundred.... we never *actually* saw him foot. As far
    as we know he just went to the bridge, sat around then returned.
    Yeah that's all he did.... WE *WERE* LAST!!!!
                        
    Rick
    
    BTW: The attendees were Reg, Roger, Doug, Rick and Fred

    
    
    	Did someone say NEXT outing? Aren't you going to winterize
    that boat Reg? If it doesn't warm up soon, there will be only
    ice until spring...
    
    	I'm always game for another outing.....!
    
    Rick

Roger, are you coming out?  This weekend would be best, but can arrange 
next weekend no problem.

Rob

RE: Rob...

It looks like the 17th.  Management is doing a cirle jerk up here trying to
figure out the "optimal" time when our visit can accomplish the most.  So
arrival on the 17th and work on the 18-19th looks like the current schedule.
I sent you mail yesterday on GIMLEE::RC with more detail.  I'll forward it to
ELMAGO::RCURTIS in case it got lost somewhere between Maynard and Aluquerque!

...Roger...

Hey Rob, did you and Chuck hit the lake?  If so, rub it in..what did I miss?

For the rest of the noter crew...there I was, in Albuquerque, it's 50 degrees
out, sun is shining, and I gotta catch a plane back to frigid Boston!  Rob's and
my schedule just couldn't synchronize.  I arrived on Sunday, worked both Mon.
and Tues. and had to leave on Wed.  On Monday Rob says, "Hey Rog, Chuck and I
are going skiing on Wed."  I say, "Of course you gotta pick Wed."  Oh well, so
it goes.  Guess we'll have to try and beat Rob for the first of '90 (which won't
be easy unless we don't tell him when we're gonna ski until after we do it!) :-)

...Roger...

Yes guys, Roger wimped out.  He could have been part of the last ski
of the decade group, but noooo, he said he had to attend a meeting
on Wednesday.  Oh sure!  I think it must have been too hot for him
here.  Official temp. at the lake for Wed., 59 degrees.  Water was 55.
I was going to use a little sarcasm and say, "It wasn't that great,
we saw a cloud," but sorry, we looked all day and didn't see a single
one.  So how was it?  Maybe just a hair short of great.  There was
this little 5 mph breeze blowing off and on.  I managed to get in a
couple of footers' in between breezes, so I guess the day was great
enough.  Also, I decided to try one of the things coach Roger told
me how to do.  I was last seen at 3:00 Wed. afternoon, sliding down
the beach on my butt, no skiis, yelling "Roger used to be my friend,
but I'll have to kill him."  8-)  Just kidding.  You were right Roger,
it is easy.  I slid down the beach, hit water, and came right up on
my feet first time.  Thanks!  We had a nice day, sorry you missed
it Roger.  I'll be keeping my eye on the "Ice Out" note in the spring.
I'll be wishing you easterners a, dare we dream, March 15th ice out, 
but can't have you getting out there first.  For now, time to get 
out the skinny boards and head for the mountains.

Rob

    A ski club in Macon GA skied into the new year.  That's right. 
    New years eve at midnight they were skiing in Macon Ga.  Water temp. 42
    degrees and air a little warmer.
    
    Nelson

    	Since we are now in a new year not to mention decade, I've created a
    new official "1990 Water Ski Season Note" This note is now write
    locked.
    
    	The new 1990 Water Ski Season note can be found at note #580
    
    								-mike-