Tail...MX78 update

[Gary]

Hey Gang....Ok...so I've had much more time on the Kastle MX78's in terrain including groomed, crud, powder, trees and bumps.

THIS SKI HAS TAIL....not as soft and forgiving as the Fischer Progessor 8's.....This is the kind of tail that is less forgiving and more energy....both can be good and bad....

What I found was that in the bumps or tight hard turns in the trees...the tail loads up pretty good and ya gotta be ready for it. I also found the tail does in it's stock design does not like to be brushed as readily as the P8's.

I still love this ski and the 78 underfoot. Both Ron and I approached the tail release issue differently. The stock tail is flared out and not quite pointed edges...the tails outside tips are say slightly rounded. Ron's method for allowing the tail to release more easily was to use the gummy stone up about 2 inches above the point of contact on the tail. He said that solved the problem for him. My approach was to take a file and round out those slightly rounded outside corners just a bit more and that solved the problem for me. Both our modifications make the tail comply much easier to releasing.
The tail is quite energetic....pilot beware and ready.

Great ski, great performance and must say....we're becoming very good buds!

Best, G

[Ron]

the ski is a blast for sure but it does require that you pay attention in steeper rutted trees. If you get at all in the backseat (and you will in these trees) it will instantly propel you in whatever direction your skis are pointed, THis could actualy be worked to your advantage in some situations. some slots require 3--4 super tight linked turns within about a 8-10 foot wide slot, you could load the tals to pop you around. it was good for that but in rutted steep turns (think bobsled course) with loose snow, you really couldn't slide the tails the way you need to. This is most likely not as much as an issue with an experienced tree skier used to these kind of conditions but skiing wth my bud's from up here, they both felt the tails on the 78 are a bit too stiff for this kind of terrain.  Ira skis on the Watea 84 and Dana skis the recon. The 78's were awesome in all other stuff we were hitting. Some areas were still holding ankle and just below boot and they were good.  One observation is that a wider ski stil is better for float over bramble, small branches and such. I am taking the nomads out today. Gary is taking his JJ's as well.

[LivingProof]

Gary and Ron,
A problem worthy of having.

If you can't figure it out, just put me on retainer and I'll fly in for a consult.

[Ron]

well, greg merz is here now so come on out and join in....


I took out my nomads today I just love this ski.  so funny going from 78 to 111.....   

[Gary]

Must update my Kastle 78 experience ...

This ski really is SOOOOOO stable....just so solid edge to edge....the little tail work I did FOR ME really paid off big time.

After playing in the glades finding pockets of boot high snow, it was  a ton of fun...could have been JJ terriitory as well but that day, the great percentage of skiing, the 78's were perfect.

Still hard for me to relate to 78 underfoot given how quick they are edge to edge....  but stability, edgehold and versatility get super high marks from me.

Emjoying the momment with some great gear, great friends.....and hey...it's snowing....doesn't get much better.

G

[LivingProof]

Gary and Ron,
Looking at Kastle's website and the tech data on the MX78, the turning radius for your skis can be as low as 16m for less than 170 cm length (Not sure what length you both have). Also, it's a dual radius with the shovel being a tighter radius than the tail, and, that complicates how the turning radius is computed.

The MX88 has the same design concepts, and, it turns much better than I would have anticipated.

So it seems your on-snow observations of tight turning radius coupled with straighter turning tails can be explained. Getting in the back seat - come on, you both know better! Recenter! I know, I know, much easier said than done.

I really need some Boat experience to gather data and postulate further.
 

[Gary]

Yup Mike...I did hear about that and skiing them shows off it turn prowess...I have the 168 and Ron has the 176.

My point about the tail was not so much about being in the back seat but being able to relase the tail as I dicatated.

I think it's probably a personal thing...Alice loves hers just the way it is...

Oh yeah Mike..this would have been a good week to be at the boat...conditions were tons of fun.

Hope you're making some turns on those 88's ..

Best,
g