Editing Water skiing (section)

===Boat===
{{hatnote|This section describes water skiing behind a boat. For information about skiing with a cable installation, see the related Wikipedia article on [[cable skiing]].}}
[[File:Ski Nautique 200 - OB.png|thumb|left|[[Ski Nautique]] 200, widely used for water skiing]]
Competition skiing uses specifically designed towboats. Most towboats have a very small hull and a flat bottom to minimize wake. A true tournament ski boat will have a direct drive motor shaft that centers the weight in the boat for an optimal wake shape. However, some recreational ski boats will have the motor placed in the back of the boat ([[v-drive]]), which creates a bigger wake. Permitted towboats used for tournament water skiing are the [[MasterCraft]] ProStar 197, MasterCraft ProStar 190, [[Ski Nautique]] 200, [[Malibu Boats|Malibu]] Response TXi, and [[Centurion Boats|Centurion]] Carbon Pro.<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/TournKit/AWSA/Chief%20Driver/ApprovedTournamentTowboats.pdf | title = American Water Ski Association Approved Tournament Towboats, 2013 | date = 15 January 2013 | publisher = American Water Ski Association | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120916234342/http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/TournKit/AWSA/Chief%20Driver/ApprovedTournamentTowboats.pdf | archive-date = 16 September 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> These boats have ability to pull skiers for trick skiing, jumping, and slalom.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.waterskimag.com/features/2013/03/04/best-of-boats-top-tournament-ski-boats/ | title = Best of Boats: Top Tournament Ski Boats 2013 | author = Geena | date = 7 May 2013 | publisher = Waterski Magazine | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130908021150/http://www.waterskimag.com/features/2013/03/04/best-of-boats-top-tournament-ski-boats/ | archive-date = 8 September 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Recreational boats can serve as water skiing platforms as well as other purposes such as cruising and fishing. Popular boat types include [[bowrider]]s, deckboats, [[Cuddy (cabin)|cuddy cabins]], and [[jetboat]]s.<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.discoverboating.com/boating/watersports.aspx | title = Watersports | work = Boat Buyer Guide for Watersports & Recreation Boating | publisher = Discover Boating | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203225457/http://www.discoverboating.com/boating/watersports.aspx | archive-date = 3 December 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

The towboat must be capable of maintaining the proper speed. Speeds vary with the skier's weight, experience level, comfort level, and type of skiing.<ref name=basics/> For example, a child on two skis would require speeds of {{convert|13|-|16|mph|km/h|order=flip|abbr=on}}, whereas an adult on one ski might require as high as {{convert|36|mph|km/h|order=flip|abbr=on}}. Barefoot skiing requires speeds of approximately {{convert|72|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}}. Competition speeds have a wide range: as slow as {{convert|22|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} up to {{convert|58|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} for slalom water skiing, and approaching {{convert|190|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} in water ski racing.<ref>{{cite web | publisher = USA Water Ski | url = http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/divisions/skirace/SkiRacingHistory.htm | title = National Water Ski Racing Association: History and Description | access-date = 29 October 2013 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130921045857/http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/divisions/skirace/SkiRacingHistory.htm | archive-date = 21 September 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

The boat must be equipped with a ski rope and handle. The tow rope must be sufficiently long for maneuvering, with a recommended length of {{convert|75|ft|m|0|order=flip}}<ref name=boatus/> (within tolerance<ref>{{cite news|author=Risto|date=21 February 2014|title=Are You Skiing with a Short Ski Rope?|url=http://www.waterskimag.com/how-to/2007/04/18/are-you-skiing-with-a-short-rope/|work=Waterski Magazine|access-date=2 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805235205/http://www.waterskimag.com/how-to/2007/04/18/are-you-skiing-with-a-short-rope|archive-date=5 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>) although length varies widely depending on the type of water skiing and the skier's skill level. Competition requirements on rope construction have changed over the years, from "quarter-inch polypropylene rope" in 1992<ref name=manual-1992>{{cite web|last=Corson|first=Robert|title=International Water Ski Federation Tournament Manual|url=http://www.iwwfed.com/tourman/Tourman00.htm|year=1992|publisher=International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation|access-date=1 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230044/http://www.iwwfed.com/tourman/Tourman00.htm|archive-date=4 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> to the 2003 flexibility as long as the same specification is used "for the entire event."<ref name=manual-2003>{{cite web | url = http://www.iwsf.com/rules2000/rules03v1.1.htm#Rule%201%20- | title = International Water Ski Federation 2003 Tournament Water Ski Rules (Version 1.1) | editor-last = Corson | editor-first = Robert K. | date = 20 January 2003 | publisher = International Water Ski Federation | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101205020214/http://www.iwsf.com/rules2000/rules03v1.1.htm#Rule%201%20- | archive-date = 5 December 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The handle width and diameter sizes are based on skier preference, and the handle grip is a tough rubber material. Skiers will often wear gloves to assist in holding the handle at the higher speeds as well as keep from hurting their hands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterski Handles vs. Wakeboard Handles |url=https://www.wakehouse.com/waterski-handles-vs-wakeboard-handles |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=WakeHouse |language=en}}</ref> The rope and handle are anchored to the boat and played out at the stern. This anchor point on a recreation boat is commonly a tow ring or cleat, mounted on the boat's stern.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} For more dedicated skiers, a metal ski pylon is placed in the center of the boat in front of the engine to connect the skier. This pylon must be mounted securely, since a skilled slalom skier can put a considerable amount of tension on the ski rope and the pylon.