GrivetteDesigns
Introducing The Generation 7 Slalom Ski by Maherajah
Our new Gen 7 is named to commemorate our 70th year of building the highest quality competition-quality skis in the industry.
The Gen 7 incorporates the optimum composition of the highest quality materials to provide the right combination of flexural and torsional stiffness for smooth tight turns and eye-watering acceleration.
Construction:
The Gen 7 starts life as a high pressure laminated sandwich incorporating a combination of beautiful hand-selected hardwoods, softwoods, and both unidirectional and bidirectional carbon fiber layers strategically sized and located to optimize both flexural and torsional stiffness. Each piece of this sandwich is selected parametrically to meet stringent specifications. Additionally, the core section contains additional proprietary structural elements that allow for controlled torsional flex while maintaining flexural stiffness. These layers are pressure laminated with structural epoxy resin under 10 tons of pressure and allowed to cure per time and temperature specifications.
Profile Shape:
Derived from decades of building high performance skis, certain profile features have been researched, refined, and optimized. From the broad forebody section transitioning to the fast taper—a combination that allows fast hook turns with blazing acceleration… To the full radius edges—allowing fast, effortless edge changes….To the full width, extra deep tunnel concave bottom—allowing extreme roll angles with no slip-out.
Unlike the manufacturers of carbon fiber composite skis, we are neither size, nor shape-constrained by expensive molds. Once the blank is pressed and cured, it is profiled using a CNC router for perfect repeatability. This also gives us the flexibility to make customer-requested changes to the basic profile shape to suit individual skiing needs.
Rocker & Flex Pattern:
The smooth, variable-radius rocker allows seamless transition from pre-turn, through the turn, and into acceleration. Additionally, the flex pattern is controlled structurally and optimized for the inherent asymmetry dictated by the difference between your off-side and on-side turns.
The Dry Edge:
One more unique feature of the Gen 7 is a recessed relief of the top edge that reduces the wrapping of the water flow over the edge on tight turns that historically impacted the side of your rear leg.
T
he New “Endo-Clamp” Binding:
The new Gen 7 ski is so unique and revolutionary, it only seemed appropriate that we should introduce our new “Endo-Clamp” platform binding to complement it.
In recent years, water ski makers have been aggressively migrating snow ski boot designs into the water skiing world. And, as would be expected, they have been encountering the same issues as originally encountered in snow skiing including pre-mature release of the boot from the ski vs. the more injury-prone, retarded release settings.
Drawing on our ski racing heritage, the “Endo-Clamp” binding purposely ignores this snow ski binding design crossover and instead has further evolved the fixed binding concept.
Narrow Profile:
We were the first to invent the “side clamp” binding in 1976 which was immediately copied by the major ski manufacturers. The original motivation for that binding was for the racing side of our business wherein racing skis were getting narrower and we needed a narrow profile binding to fit them properly. But at the same time, we had to have a binding that could properly retain the skier’s foot at speeds over 140 mph and still release with minimal risk. The inspiration for the Endo-Clamp design was based on our original side clamp designs. Its further evolution followed the economical availability of CNC machining.
The resulting binding is the narrowest configuration ever produced. It is easy to enter while providing maximum lateral and longitudinal support. This unique innovation provides comfort for those long practice sessions and yet provides a high degree of confidence in the event of the inevitable fall.
Cross Strap Retention:
Again, drawing on our racing heritage, the Endo-Clamp binding incorporates dual cross straps with our new single pin buckle system. Unlike the old days of fixed cross straps that required soap to get into, or even the more modern bindings that use either the archaic shoe lace tightening system, or the ineffective Velcro system, our cross-strap system makes it easy to enter the binding and just as easy to secure the cross straps for maximum support and comfort.
The Cantilever Mount:
As a further innovation, our new “Cantilever Mount” method minimizes the effect of the binding boot presence on the ski’s flexural pattern. Most bindings are assembled in the form of plates that are then subsequently screwed down to the ski’s surface. These plates are generally stiff in nature and can adversely affect the ski’s originally intended flex pattern. Our new Cantilever Mount configuration minimizes the surface area in contact with the ski’s surface thus allowing the ski to flex as required and as intended.
The Gen 7 Changeable Fin:
We have long been intrigued by the current practice of adjusting fins in the field or on the water using a micrometer. This whole approach just seemed impractical and too imprecise to our engineers. We were further puzzled that while so much importance was placed on LE (Leading Edge position) and DFT (Distance From Tail) measured in thousandths of an inch, that adjustable fins would not allow these parameters to be varied independently—moving DFT forward would necessarily move LE forward. Decreasing or increasing fin depth would also affect exposed blade area. If all these separate parameters are so important then they should be able to be varied independently.
The approach used on the new Gen 7 is based on our decades of building top performing skis. Instead of an infinitely adjustable fin blade, the new Gen 7 fin possesses easily changeable blades. The blade that comes installed on the ski is our factory-optimized D-blade shape intended to perform well for most skiers. Each blade is CNC cut for precise repeatability. It possesses a very specific DFT (Distance From Tail), a specific LE (Leading Edge distance), a specific FA (Fin Area), and a specific FD (Fin Depth).
A CNC-machined billet fin block locks the blade in a precisely repeatable position. The blade is easily and quickly removed and replaced with an alternate blade.
Just loosen two set screws in the fin block, drop out the blade, pop in the new blade, tighten the set screws and try it immediately. No scribing, no note taking, no measuring.
The Wing:
The Generation-7 fin is provided with a traditionally-shaped adjustable wing, the use of which is entirely optional and wholly dependent upon your performance level.
Since their inception back in 1978 credited to Jay Schnitzer, wings and their efficacy have been the subject of much conjecture. Our own testing has clearly demonstrated their presence only becomes beneficial at the shorter line lengths beyond 32’ off. Think of it like having a rear wing on an exotic sports car that only begins to have any effect at speeds above 150 mph. Until then, it’s all about looks at the expense of unnecessary drag.