Slalom Ropes

[Inliner]

I have had some problems recently finding a rope for my wife who is training for disabled competition. I have a rope (a Masterline to be exact) that I have used for some time. It has served me well over the year or so I have had it. I wanted to get my wife her own rope so we don't have to keep switching between her handle and mine. It was too much of a pain the rear since I run at least 15 off and she is still running a 70 foot line.

After her use of the rope, she said that the boat was surging. Since I was behind the wheel my first instinct was that it wasn't the boat. A friend of mine skied her rope and told me it was like a bungee cord. I switched her to my old Masterline and took her Straightline figuring I was going to see what is going on. I figured I would be able to stretch since I pull the living crud out of it when I ski.

I started out this weekend on my wakeboard. I figured I would go ahead and begin stretching it out. BIG MISTAKE!!!! Every time I would pull the rope to cross the wake it would bungee me across like a hellion. I switched back to my static line and saved it for the slalom ski.

Once I switched to the slalom ski, I promptly pulled the living whee out of it. Slaloming it handled very well. It was smooth in the transition and didn't jerk my arms off on the cut back and acceleration. My question is, how many others have seen this in a rope and what do you do if you are looking for a line with less stretch for beginners? This rope feels like a bungee cord in the straight ahead position and God forbid you actually pull on it. Can I expect this rope to stretch in eventually to make it usable or should I consider seeking another Masterline?

[TheBeeZ]

I have felt the bungee cord feel when I began to ski better but I just lived with it. Then I seem to hit a wall as far as getting better with my skiing. I had a very good skier go with me to diagnosis my problem. His very first comment was "you need to get a new rope". I was getting too much stretch which was pulling me off balance and out of position. The bottom line is get a new rope.

[Inliner]

I have one more rope here I will try. It is a ProLine still in the factory holder. If it does the same thing I will replace my MasterLine. I finally found a place that has reasonably priced MasterLine ropes. Most places here in Orlando don't carry them anymore. They all carry StraightLine or ProLine.

[Tremp Moomba]

Many of the "cost effective".. ropes are bungee cords. Typically a good sectioned rope will hold pretty well. I don't think use will strech the rope and make it better. The best place for that rope is tied to an achor.. should hold your boat in rough water cause it will strech with the waves.

[Inliner]

Orginally posted by Tremp Moomba

Many of the "cost effective".. ropes are bungee cords. Typically a good sectioned rope will hold pretty well. I don't think use will strech the rope and make it better. The best place for that rope is tied to an achor.. should hold your boat in rough water cause it will strech with the waves.

Unfortunately the rope wasn't exactly "cost effective". I paid good money for it figuring that I would get a good rope for the money.That just wasn't the case.

[BensonWdby]

Somtimes it is hard to tell with ropes. I bought a rope from a Mastercraft dealer years ago, it was a brand name rope at the time. First day out I snapped the handle in two. Now that stung.... Turned out it was just a wood core with foam wrap.

Actually most of my ropes have been given to me lately so not sure about who is good or not. My general guidelines:
1. Don't buy from a department store (Target, Sportmart, erc...); 2. Get multi-section rope; 3. Talk to dealer about them and let them know you will be back if to springy.

Good luck.
Dave

[JayG80]

http://www.jlbmfg.com/intow.htm makes custom ropes and handles at a low price for the craftmanship. I like the larger diameter handles.

Jay