A wake board will make it super easy to ski as well. Or even two skis works for learning. I also agree with Jim, start out in the mid 20's for speed. Give the skier a chance to start their cut, then gradually get into the left turn and increase power. Wait for the to get about straight out to the side, then cut power back (many different options here from idle speed to about 2000 rpm, depending on how you want to drive it and skier) and hard right as fast as you can turn the wheel. Wait for the skier to get to your 9:00 and start re-applying power gradually and turn back left a bit so you come back out of it in the same direction you started. Keep looking back and forth between where you are going and at your skier. It's critical to know what your skier is doing. If they fall in front of you, and you aren't watching them, there could be a problem. Skiing it, when the driver signals, look straight in the direction you want to travel (seems obvious, but normally doesn't happen). Cut fairly hard to the right. You can back off the cut a bit (but definitely stay on edge) when you get a good whip going. When the boat is about ready to accelerate, pull the handle to your right hip and turn your head to the left. This will help bring the ski around quickly. It is a tight turn at the end, especially if it's a quick one. I have felt a single skier pull my boat up on it's edge before, so I think it could be possible for a skier to cut hard enough to roll the boat with an inexperienced driver. Be careful!
Thanks guys. I'm going to study your posts and see if I can figure this out by the end of the summer. It sounds simple, but in practice it seems to be harder than it looks. We were doing the cross-wake cut, which Greg points out is unhelpful. So that was part of the problem. I also was simply not manuevering the boat properly and quickly enough. I also don't think my brother was holding the cut, or looking away, so he was slowing down too soon. The new video also helps. Great video Greg! What are the engines on that boat? I can't tell from the video.
Mark, Did you want that ATB ski I got for you? I got it in the garage now. It would make the perfect 360 ski.
Mark, if you are talking about the Backwater Gamblers video, I am pretty sure they have twin 225 mercs. I had to refer back to the pictures in this old thread. Someone correct me if I am wrong. http://www.hydrodyners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2&p=405&hilit=backwater#p405
Mark, The 6 around is one that I shot at the 2007 nationals. (There are several more). The motors are 225 Opti's like yours. You had it right Pam. jim
My brother and I learned to drive and ski the ATB (we called them boat O's) when we were teenagers with the skier on a pair of trick skis. This way the skier could pull and glide quite easily, and the whole operation could be learned at a relatively low speed. Our biggest obstacle was keeping the tow rope clear of the really tall mirror (no windshield) we have on the 18 footer..... Scott
I have been playing with doing ATB with a few members of my ski team as well. I think we are going to have to change into wet. or drysuits soon. About the ATB. If you can get a pair of short jump skis, that will make it easier for the skier. Jump skis will cut well, and almost as important, they will also glide well. I think of it this way, the skiers job is to keep the rope tight. If the rope is tight, you are always 60 or whatever feet from the boat. On a 360, after the skier passes the front of the boat, the driver just turns back and goes under the ski rope, and the skier follows the boat.