Waterskiing with the Aerotec

Max... · 21 September 2015, 10:00

With thanks to Nick H. for the skis.

We finally got the time and weather to get my young son up for his first proper go as Saturday was at last that rare thing in the UK this year - a weekend day with - shock horror - flat seas and even some sun.

And it proves again how much fun and how capable a little 12ft rubber boat with 15 horses on the back can be. Easily pulled him up and he had a great time until he was too knackered to do any more. Takes me back as I was about his age when I started and only wish I could get out there too but it might just struggle a bit more with 75 kg on the end of the rope. Not sure we'll get another go this season, planned to pack the boat away and go out on a high but next weekend doesn't look too bad so will maybe hold off. Still a couple more sessions next year maybe and I think he will be fine to drop one and start skiing properly, ie on one! Somehow I doubt the 15 will make a deep water start on one possible even with him at only 35kg.

Any locals may recognise De La Warr in the background. After this we dried off and went round to Sovereign harbour for an Italian followed by a trip past Eastbourne Pier and onto Beachy Head to search for flotsam and jetsam. Bear Grilles territory - unbelieveable amount of wood, floats/drums and rope gets washed up here and you could make the mother of all rafts. Back all the way at WOT flying off a lovely slightly bigger following sea - great days.

Mollers · 21 September 2015, 10:37

Brilliant!

Best keep him underfed until next season. A growth spurt and the 15hp may struggle.

Nick Hearne · 21 September 2015, 11:41

Nice one Max, glad to see them getting some use

Looks like you had a cracking day out

Fenlander · 21 September 2015, 12:41

Excellent fun Max. Oh how I wish we hadn't scheduled work/visitors for the last two days so we missed that weather window.

Max... · 21 September 2015, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Excellent fun Max. Oh how I wish we hadn't scheduled work/visitors for the last two days so we missed that weather window.

Thanks chaps and thanks again Nick.

We can only get out at weekends now (kids at school obviously) and we were owed a day like that - last three times we've been down the front it was beautiful blue skies, flat water but for various reasons we could not take the boat. Spent all yesterday morning washing down/rinsing everything ready for the packaway but might hold on a bit yet - could be some nice crisp days on the way...

UK Outlook for Saturday 26 Sep 2015 to Monday 5 Oct 2015:

High pressure is expected to build across the country from the south over the weekend, bringing a spell of mainly dry and settled weather across central and southern parts. Further wind and rain may affect northwestern areas later in the weekend, perhaps extending to other parts at times. Dry conditions are likely to prevail through next week and into the following week, particularly for central and southern areas...

UK Outlook for Tuesday 6 Oct 2015 to Tuesday 20 Oct 2015:

There is a chance that generally settled conditions could continue into the second week of October for many parts of the UK bringing largely fine and dry days, though a risk of fog in places overnight, which may be slow to clear during the mornings.

NemesisUK · 22 September 2015, 11:04

Looks like a jolly good day out

How old is your lad, I've got a 9year old and a 15hp and was wondering if I could get him to waterski? Also where did you attach the rope?

Max... · 22 September 2015, 11:51

Thanks, you'll be fine with a 9 year old on fat junior skis (and much older), no worries, my son is around 4 or 5 stone.

Bridle:

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/towing-...tml#post634234

sunsport · 29 September 2015, 20:25

hi will ad my tuppence worth can pull up to 65 kg on a wide boy mono ski in fresh water or up to 80kg on wide boy skis,that is on a 380 with two lightweights on board and a tiller steered yam 20 or pull 90kg on a ringo but a tip if you are fitting towing eyes, is to have them as high in the transom as possible as it improves your pull out also keep your bridle as short as possible and have your ski rope fixed to the centre not sliding as this will start steering the boat when the skier crosses the wake . best off all a whole afternoons skiing on a tenner

Max... · 30 September 2015, 06:32

Thanks for that, there is hope for me yet then at 73kg.

I will have to get a 25 and a new wetsuit, been a long time....

Tim in Yorkshire · 30 September 2015, 12:27

Did some wakeboarding behind the SR4 on Sunday, great fun, first time in 14 years... A little choppy at times which added to the challenge, the speed may have been a little excessive at times as on one wipe out I didn't have chance to close my eyes before face planting.

My body is still aching 3 days later, I'm getting old!

sunsport · 20 October 2015, 22:03

quick update re skiing .fitted steering gear due to wife not being comfortable with the tiller also removed 20hp yam and fitted 30hp 3 pot and remotes tried high pitch prop ,very quick without skier on but not great pull out .tried smaller pitch prop of 20 on 30 and found pull out was superb tearing the handle out off your hands if you didnt feather the power on but top end not so good looks like i need a prop midway between.freind tried narrow competition slalom ski and could drag the boat down but on mid lx wide ski didnt lose revs.again skiing all afternoon on less than a tenner ,happy days

sunsport · 20 October 2015, 22:27

a few pics,not bad for end of october

Max... · 14 June 2017, 10:47

Nice pics - still hoping to get behind the Aerotec myself as I have some truly fat skis but need a 25 first.

sunsport · 14 June 2017, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max...

Nice pics - still hoping to get behind the Aerotec myself as I have some truly fat skis but need a 25 first.

Would recommend putting a thirty on with forward controls for towing adults easier for less confident to tow skiers. Also means the helmsmans weight is keeping the bow down and keeping the boat more stable. I find a heavier skier doesn't pull the boat about as much as it does if you are sitting at the stern. Cheers

Max... · 02 July 2017, 17:32

Well, first time skiing for a long time yesterday - conditions were wonderful, barely a breeze but NW so water was wonderful.

You can mono behind an Aerotec with a 15 - my son's first goes at dropping one and transitioning to mono (ie *proper* waterskiing!) Best go was later on in the afternoon but he cracked it.