About Michael Bouchard Expertise Ski Boats and Wake Board Boats - Maintenance, Buying, Comparing. Questions on Barefooting, Waterskiing, and Wakeboarding.
Experience I've been skiing for 32 years, barefooting for 10, and wakeboarding for 10. I have competed in tournaments and have also run tournaments. I own a Ski Boat Dealership and have a lot of experience with many different types of ski boats.
Expert: Michael Bouchard Date: 7/28/2006 Subject: O'Brien 64 Competition repair?
Question I grew up skiing on a wood O'brien 64 competition...nearly everyday till I was about 25. left the life for 25 years and now live on a lake again...got up last week first time but now notice that the tip of my ski is separating...can I repair this?
Answer You may be able to but - I would not.
It is not the split I'm worried about. It is the general integrity of the ski itself. I've seen skis break between the front and rear boots in competition before. These tend to be serious because the boots twist both ankles in different directions (the incident I witnessed broke both ankles). You probably don't have boots in a ski of that vintage so that is probably not as serious a problem - but that is something that has always worried me.
Ski technology has advanced an incredible amount since your ski was produced. You could probably ski twice as good on a new ski (especialy the new carbon fiber extra strong/thin skis).
If you really want to try to repair it you can glue it with a few clamps to hold it together till she dried well. You will have to then seal it with something so it does not split again right away. You may also want to consult a specialist in the area (like a wood furnature maker).
