Conference vicki::boats

    
    
    	I was always convinced that Mail Order was the way to go.
    (Roger have you posted Ski Limited and Overtons addresses yet? :-)
  
    	But... I've found some pretty good deals at places like
    
    		Water Skis Plus
    		Spencer, Ma
    
    	It's a long drive from most anywhere but sometimes the deals
    warrant it and they will ship..
    
    	Another place I've heard good things about but have no actual
    first hand experience with is:
    
    		Sports Shack
    		Plaistow, NH
    
    Rick

    The Sports Shack in Plastow is owned by Baert Marine in Danvers
    Mass. Personally, I've never bought a thing from them but have been
    with friends who have. I think, just as many other marinas/boat
    dealerships, that their prices were somewhat inflated. However it
    is unfair to compare you're local marina pricing to the mail order
    folks. If you can wait you can usually land a good deal. But if
    you want it NOW you gotta pay the price. What I can't figure out
    is why EVERYTHING in the boat stores is so expensive. I found stainless
    steel hardware at my local hareware store about 40% cheaper than
    the boat stores. Who does the bigger volume.
    
    /MArk 

    Hi John, see you got time to get into lots of note conferences!
    :*)
    
    Not being an expert, but having kids who ski, I'd say your best
    bet for a beginner set-up would be Service Merchandise.  While their
    selection is limited somewhat, you can't easily beat their prices
    for a given make/model.  So, it depends on what you decide to buy.
    
       
    Lee

  Re: .2
    
    Sports Shack prices may seem higher, but maybe you aren't aware
    of one of their policies. They will happily match any price on an
    item. This includes any and all catalogs. I have found that as with
    the catalogs, some of their prices are real good, some not so good.
    But if you do a little research, it is possible to get the best
    possible price on every item you buy. If you forget your catalog,
    just ask. They have a stack behind the counter out of sight. The
    only restriction is that the item you are buying from them must
    match exactly the item in the catalog. I have bought quite a few
    items there over the years. They also have a special buyers club
    that you can join which gives you an additional 10% off the best
    available price. I believe it costs $50 per year to belong. A friend
    of mine is a member. :^)  I had him get me 4 Gold braid tie up ropes
    (25 ft, 3/8 diam.) which cost about $8.30 apiece. The usual price
    for these is from $11 up to $19 or so. 
    
    So, with a little research, you can get the best price AND have
    it now (if it's in stock). They will special order.
    
    Scott

    RE: .1
    
    >> (Roger have you posted Ski Limited and Overtons addresses yet? :-)
    
    Rick, with tongue protruding through the lips, begin rapidly blowing
    air...result: the RASPBERRY!  :-) :-) :-)  But I agree that mail
    order is great if you know what you're looking at.  The folks on
    the phone are helpful but it's still hard to get the "feel" when
    looking in a catalog.
    
    Sports Shack sounds like the best bet...you can actually see what
    you're buying and still pay mail order prices (plus since it's in
    NH there's no sales tax).  The down side may be a limited selection.
    It's worth checking out though.
    
    Now to satisfy Mr. Suter [:-)] here's the addresses of some of the
    mail order places I (and many of us noters, even Rick) have done
    business with:
    
    Overton's		Ski Limited		Bart's Water Ski Center
    111 Red Banks Rd.	7825 South Ave.		P.O. Box 294
    P.O. Box 8228	Youngstown, OH		North Webster, IN
    Greenville, NC               44512			    46555
        27835-8228	Ph. 1-800-621-6300	Ph. 1-800-348-5016
    Ph. 1-800-334-6541
    
    					...Roger...
    
    P.S.  Call Overton's and order something between now and Dec. 16th
    and you'll be entered into a drawing to win a 1989 Ski Nautique 2001.
    But don't get too excited 'cuz I'm gonna win!  :-)

    
    	If testing different skis is on your mind then definately
    try WaterSkis plus. They have a demo program where you demo any
    ski for 10 bucks (and 100 deposit - Plastic OK) and when you finally
    buy a ski every 10 dollar demo charge is credited towards the price
    of the ski.
    
    Rick

    Re: .5
    
    Sorry Roger, I already rigged the drawing.  Then I'm gonna
    pick up the boat in Greenville, drive up to Mass., sell it
    to you at a fair 8-} ? price, and then stop in Dallas on 
    the way home and buy me a shiny brand new Master Craft Pro-
    Star.
    
    Rob
    

    re .6	Yes, it seems to work like you say.  
    
    	I just wanted to add the caution that they only put mid to high
    priced skis on the demo rack, just in case somebody goes down there
    expecting to demo a $120 ski   {not that anyone in THIS conference
    would even DREAM of doing such a thing, etc.}
    
    	Reg
    

    I've been reading this note for some time now and now could use
    your help.  It sounds as if you all really know what you're doing
    so i fugure when you need help, head for the horses mouth (or something
    like that)!!
    
    My husband is interested in getting a pair of waterskis.  He wants
    something called a `combo' which I think is a pair of skis that
    can be used either slalom or as a pair.  He shops completely by
    price and I shop by quality and dependability.  He is looking for
    a used pair at a yard sale so I figure that he will be tickled pink
    with anything I could get in time for our anniversary on the 18th.
    
    Now, for the hard part.  I know that you all seem to have your own
    favorites.  What would you all recommend???  I have been looking
    in all the catalogs (ie Overtons and the like) and have seen all
    different kinds.  At BJ's in Salem, they have a pair of graphite
    skis w/tow rope for $80.� that I am leaning towards.  What is the
    difference between graphite and whatever else there is??
    
    In case you're wondering, in his younger days, my husband used to
    be considered pretty good on skis.  Now, after almost 15 years of
    marriage and the associated spending freezes, he would like to try
    again.
    
    Thanx in advance for any help.
    
    Dana
    

    I started this note and here's what I ended up with.I bought a pair
    of Connely Victory model at Hermans in the Pleasant lane Mall Nashua
    on sale from $149 for $89 less a special markdown to $69. They seem
    to work just fine.

    RE: .9
    
    Dana, I suggest you watch the newspapers for ski shop sales (I'm
    talking shops known more for snow skis).  This past weekend Alpine
    Ski and Sports in Warwick R.I. had a huge sale (called SNIAGRAB,
    that's BARGAINS spelled backwards) on everything in the store which
    included water skis (many snow ski shops carry a very limited supply
    of water skis).  My uncle went down to see if he could get a pair
    of Connelly Flex 250s which were on sale for $99.88.  I bought this
    same pair from Overton's 2 years ago on special for $110.  When
    he arrived, they told him that they had sold 32 pairs the first
    day and were sold out!  But many places will be having pre-season
    sales which will probably be like 20-50% off everything in the store
    which, by golly, will probably include water skis.  Keep your eyes
    open...it's that time of the year!
    
    					...Roger...