Thanksgiving on the water

We've had a fantastic group for this Thanksgiving week in Orlando. It was great to have the Johnson's and the Pachelli's from New Mexico, the Nugent's from Ireland, Joyce Latham from the UK and Gerad Kolthof from Holland. We all had a great week on the water, Steve Nugent celebrated his 50th Birthday this week and Nicola cooked a very special Thanksgiving dinner for 24 guests.

Princes Pro-Am Booby Prize

Joyce Latham from Thorpe Park Ski Club London, after only competing for a few seasons, was part of the Team that came in last place in the 2008 event. Do to her circumstances she could not take her booby prize of 3 days free training at our Skool until this Autumn. Joyce also arrived in Orlando after having taken a fall at the Seaton Classic in early October where she has sustained an injury to her shoulder. Not having skied for six weeks Joyce was pretty low on confidence and endurance as you can imagine, but she got out on the water the first day and pushed through 3 sets. We worked on new technique totally aimed at safer skiing with the intent to improve performance over time. The fundamentals were in need of work and an explanation to re-assure her this was the first phase of her training at our Skool. Joyce really started to get to grips with here new stance on her ski and by the third day, even though she was very tired and low on endurance she started to put together her best skiing with great control and a major improvement in her performance, which I believe will all play out for her in next season tournament calendar. Great skiing Joyce with your new stance following your ski in both directions!

Thanksgiving in Orlando

What a great week on the water with friends. Thanksgiving is not a tradition in the UK, but after spending a few with family and friends over the past few years, I think we should introduce this as a holiday everywhere. We have had our friends from New Mexico, Ireland, Holland, Michigan and the UK with us this week and for some it's an annual trip now.

All together having a great thanksgiving dinner for 24 friends!


The Hohnson's & The Pachelli's


Sam Finn & Alix stuffing the Turkey!

Birthday Celebrations

I met Steve Nugent and his wife Muriel at the World Cup Championships in Enniskillen Northern Ireland 3 years ago, after they watched that event they told me they were going to start water skiing and that they would one day soon make it out to our Skool in Orlando Florida for some lessons. He also told me that when they were ready, it would be a trip of a lifetime as they had not traveled far from Ireland in the past.

I got a call from Steve at the beginning of this season, saying that they would be coming out this November and Steve had chosen this particular time because it would be their trip of a lifetime to celebrate Steve's 50th Birthday. We all had a great day celebrating Steve's Birthday.

Steve and Muriel Nugent, Ireland


Steve getting ready to cut the Butter!


Happy 50th Birthday Steve

MasterCraft Factory Tour

How many guy's does it take to roll out the fiberglass in a MasterCraft boat in layup construction?
MasterCraft have least 8 trained personnel roll out the first layup of chopped glass that goes straight onto the back of the Gel coat. The only chop strand coat used in MasterCraft construction process, it is done that way to ensure all gelcoat is covered completely and no air pockets are left.




Each layer of pre-cut Fiberglas mate laid into the mold is also rolled out by at least 8 personnel. An Expensive process but worth the results, as MasterCraft build the best finished product in the business.

MasterCraft Factory Tour

'Norm' talking about the superior pumps and components that MasterCraft use in their boats compared to their competitors


Norm talking about how MasterCraft use a steel yoke in the construction of their walk-through open bow boats and backing plates on everything that is bolted on the boat, nothing is screwed, it's all bolted.

MasterCraft Factory Tour

MasterCraft Assembly lines, where the best built tow boats in the world are made!
MasterCraft are totally open to their customers, dealers and competitors on their factory tours. Nothing to hide and everything to show off, this is the sign of a company who is proud of what they build and believe it is the best built product in the market.


MasterCraft molds only build 20-30 pieces before they are taken out of the production line and renovated, unlike their competitors that only renovate their molds after 50-70 pieces.



MasterCraft carry more tooling than their competitors so they are able to pull the tooling from production after making less pieces, this ensures the highest quality in their finish.