Water Sking Season is here...

[M Jones]

Do not try this....

[N96337]

Re: Water Sking Season is here...

It's actually done quite a bit and relatively safe (other than the fact that they're doing it in formation), if you don't get too slow. The lodge I used to work for in AK did it with a Single Otter to get into one of the strips they used for fishing. It's pretty fun to see people's faces when it's done!
If you really want to see some good jobs of it, go to http://www.bigrockslongprops.com/
JH

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Water Sking Season is here...

I have done this on the Berlin Reservoir with our J-3, I was taught to hold the brakes too , is that necessary?? I would set the left wheel, then the right and away we would go hydorplaning along...
I flew a ship a PA-18 with gear on backwards and a single ski out out front that would retract a bit in flight. He used it for pipeline patrol. I could start about 20 ft back from the water and merely blast off to the water, a combination of front ski & hydro planing would get me out and back the same way... Anybody know anything about the single ski that actually went out under the prop?

[N96337]

Re: Water Sking Season is here...

I've never heard of that setup Forrest..but I'd sure love to see some pics! The guys that I've talked to, that do the water skiing on a regular basis all say NOT to hold the brakes... that's the easiest way to end up on your back when you get to the land or it falls through just a bit... that "Big Rocks and Long Props" DVD is pretty interesting, and they do a great job of explaining what they're doing and why... well worth the $$.
JH

[Robert Lees]

Re: Water Sking Season is here...

Taylorcrafts are not immune either...but apparently airliners are!

[Robert Lees]

Re: Water Sking Season is here...

Good thread here (five pages) and LOADS more photos of the formation Harvards in South Africa.

Rob