Thanks to flytime and that
AWSOME boat of his (it not only looks good, it runs perfectly) we had a good day on El Cap; couldn't find much good water but didn't matter that much since haven't been on a ski in so many years; after knocking some rust off of myself with some unsuccessful starts, I got a good long run in (although a little choppy) until I gave out; my wife put me to shame by getting up a lot quicker than me (and it's been longer since she's skiied than me); as flytime said, my 7-year-old skiied the most on the trainers (1st time), my 15 and 12-year-olds tried for the 1st time and will likely be actually skiing the next outing (both were really close, especially the older).
beerjet: You don't owe me those boat sodas yet; once I get the carb rebuit and it runs steady, I'll have to get it in the water to see what shape the pump is in (hopefully that won't be the next rebuild). However, you did say you'll buy the first round of boat sodas (plural; don't try to downgrade that to "a drink" now

) if I get the boat in the water in any condition.
Flytime and I will probably do that on Hodges; will keep you posted.