Are you looking for the perfect setup for your slalom water ski? We’ve put together a few tips that can help you get the best setup for your ski and for your riding ability. These helpful tips will show you exactly how to setup your slalom ski correctly.
Fin Adjustments for Slalom Water Skiing
The adjustable fin on your slalom ski is designed to help you fine-tune the performance characteristics for varying individual skiing styles, your weight, and the boat speed you choose to ski at. There are three different types of adjustments that you can make to the fin:
1. Distance to the Tail of the Ski (DFT)
A fin adjustment forward (toward the tip of the ski) lifts the front and drops the tail of the ski during an on-side turn. A fin adjustment backward drives the tip of the ski into the water and raises the tail.
2. Fin Depth
The more depth you have, the better the stability and holding power, while less depth makes the ski turn less stable but easier to turn.
3. Fin Length
With increased fin length, this drives the tip of the ski into the water during the off-side turn. While a fin with shorter length raises the tip of the ski.
Each type of adjustment will substantially change how the ski performs. The less the leading edge of the fin is out of the ski, the more the fin will keep the front of the ski up out of the water. The longer the leading edge, the more it drives the front of the ski down into the water.
The best way to accurately check the results is to use a caliper. Only one type of adjustment should be made at a time between ski session. Try not to exceed .020″ (0.508mm) of adjustment per ski session. Changing this more that that can result in unacceptable results and lead to some pretty quick falls. Once you have determined the ultimate fin position, mark and/or measure the fin position and write them down. Therefore, if the fin is accidentally bumped or moved the exact position can be easily set once again.
Wing/Spoiler/Break for Slalom Water Skiing
The wing is designed to help slow the ski down as you come into the turns. The more angle that you set on the wing, the faster your ski will slow down into the turns. The wing angle tolerances should be kept between 6-10 degrees.
Problems and Adjustment Options for Slalom Water Skiing
Here are some common problems and the corresponding adjustment options to help rectify them:
- The ski is difficult to initiate turns: Decrease fin depth and/or move fin forward.
- The ski is unstable and/or too fast into turns: Increase fin depth and/or move fin backward.
- There’s too much ski tip in the water on both left and right turns: Increase fin depth.
- There’s too much ski in the water while turning off-side, causing breaking at the waist: Move the fin forward/tilt the front upwards.
- There’s too much ski in the water while turning on-side: Move fin forward.
- There’s too much ski tip out of the water during on-side turns: Move fin backward.
- It’s difficult to initiate angle across wakes: Move fin forward.
- The ski overturns and gets too much angle across wakes: Move fin backward and/or add depth.
- The ski changes edges too slowly coming into the turns: Decrease fin depth and/or move fin forward.
- The ski is too responsive Increase fin depth and/or move fin backward
If you are unsure about anything, give us a call or drop us an email and we’ll assist you. Also, remember to follow us on Instagram for regular updates.
