THE BEST VERSION OF A VAPOR PRO EVER!
The 2024 Radar Vapor Pro Build is everything a competition skier ever wanted, designed to perform between 52-58kmh and in the slalom course to elite levels.
It’s our Pro Team’s model of choice but is also great for those looking to improve their skills at any level. By riding a 2024 Radar Vapor Pro Build you ensure that you have the best materials wrapped into the best shape on the market. Now all you have to decide is which color you like best.
2024 Radar Vapor, the culmination of all the skis we’ve created to date. Every time we build a new ski, we learn something; defining what bevel shape is best and which rocker line is most balanced is now rooted in our DNA. As we approached this new ski we reflected upon things in our past and learned from what we’ve tried before. The result is a ski that finishes the turn with more angle and speed than its predecessor and sweeps away from the wake with ease. By sharpening the bevel in the front half of the ski we created a ski that’s more intuitive as it enters the turn; this combined with narrowing the tail of the ski creates sustainable angle that can be carried from the finish of the turn through centerline. The balance you feel over your feet is a direct result of the rocker built into the shape of the ski. Our new rocker line flattens fore and aft of the wide spot providing a larger platform. This places you over the front foot with ease, making tighter, more consistent turns. Fundamentally, the lower rocker line dramatically improves feedback from the ski and leads to a more natural and intuitive feeling ride. The way this ski flows from turn to turn with the speed only a Vapor is known for will have you running more buoys than ever before. Ski it for yourself.
2024 Radar Vapor Pro Build Waterski Construction Features
PMI Core – Lightweight, high density, most response.
Textreme Carbon – Lighter, stronger composites.
Carbon Rods – Zonal flex for the optimum layup.
Bio Resin – Plant based and better.
Race Base – Earlier lines and easier turns.
Enduro Tip/Tail – Built for speed.
Radar Lab Made – Thanks Herb.
Terrain
Course / Competition
2024 Radar Vapor Pro Build Waterski Construction
Pro Build designates a PMI Core and Textreme Carbon. PMI is the lightest and most responsive foam money can buy, allowing a skier to get more attainable angle out of the turn and have the ability to hold it through the wakes. Textreme lets the ski flex instantly and consistently, giving the skier more speed from a wider point. Overall, the ski will feel like it is carrying constant speed from the first cut to the last turn which results in the most effortless ride we’ve found to date.
Shape
The first thing we addressed on the shape of the ski was the width profile, while keeping the max width of the ski the same; we added more radius to the profile to provide more pivot and rotational pull through the turn. We also added width behind the wide point to keep the ski more level and stable in the turn. This provides the ski with built in tip pressure and reduces the need to “climb” over the ski to make a turn. The ski is now able to move under the line at a quicker rate with a more natural feel. By reducing volume in the tail of the ski we were able to create more leverage that enables the whole ski to move better as a single unit through the turn. This results in attainable angle that can be carried all the way through the finish of the turn. The last adjustment in shape was the narrowing of the tip. This combined with our new rocker line enables more bevel contact resulting in a secure feeling that lets you stand over the ski with confidence to rip turns knowing that the ski will move with you from apex to center line.
Rocker
By increasing the taper of the rocker line fore and aft of the flat spot we enlarged the sweet spot of the ski even more. The flatter the rocker is underneath your feet the more improved feel and connection you have with your ski. This allows you to move yourself and the ski better as a single unit. A bigger platform also gives you the ability to be more reactive and dynamic with your movements, ultimately giving you the control to move in and out of the turn with power. The lower rocker in the front half of the ski gives a truly unique feeling. By being flatter to the water you’re able to move over the ski with more confidence knowing that there is more contact, and support built into the ski. As you move over your feet the bevel is engaged and tighter, more consistent turns bring you back under the rope and cross course to the next buoy.
Concave
We have been extremely happy with the concave we created in the last shape. The deeper concave with a steeper entry gives the speed and side to side drive a Vapor is known for having. Speed is only good if you can control it, and this concave also provides grip that allows the ski to naturally slow down as it enters the turn. This ultimately enables the ski to carry a more constant speed through the turn which improves your cadence and rhythm with the boat.
Bevel
Sharpening the bevel from your feet forward has given the new Vapor more grip and control than any ski we’ve created to date. This helps the ski decelerate so it can make tighter, more up course turns. It’s important to note that these tighter turns are attainable due to the bevel transition built into the tail of the ski. By softening this bevel behind your feet, the ski can stay more balanced so that angle and drive are able to be maintained from the apex of the turn through centerline.
Thickness
Sidewall height carries constant to provide balance. To keep the ski nimble the sidewall thickness is reduced which also produces the connected, tight turning radius of the ski
Edge Angle
The 2024 Radar Vapor width allows the ski to achieve maximum edge angle both in the turn and while cutting. This width sets the precedent in our line as the pinnacle of performance both in the course and while free skiing.
2024 Radar Vapor Pro Build Waterski Recommended Speed
32-36mph / 52-58kmh
2024 Radar Vapor Pro Build Waterski Riders Weight Indication
65" 49-65kg
66" 56-81kg
67" 73-91kg
68" 82-100kg
69.5" 90+ kg
PMI Core
PMI Foam is the industry leading core with its lightweight, reactive qualities. The use of PMI results in a ski that rebounds back to its original shape at a rate 10x faster than PVC which means quicker turns and an earlier acceleration out of the turn.
Textreme Carbon
Textreme is a manufacturer of a spread tow carbon which allows us to reduce weight and increase strength. It most importantly provides us a more consistent flexing and a durable ski. Textreme has been utilized in everything from America’s Cup race boats to Tour de France bikes because of its powerful attributes.
Innegra
Innegra is a dampening fiber that reduces vibration and increases strength. Innegra is woven into the Textreme to improve the performance and durability of the ski. Innegra is also utilized in many Formula 1 race cars because of its incredible strengthening and dampening attributes.
Carbon Rods
Carbon Rods allow us to introduce Zonal Flexing. These hollow tubes create stiffness and strength in the ski where it is necessary without creating change in unwanted places.
CPD Bio Resin
CPD has created a plant-based bio resin that is changing the game. Utilizing a biofuel base that has 28% renewable resources allows them to create a resin with the same molecular makeup as a traditional resin. This means the same strength and performance that you are used to all while saving the planet, now that’s a win-win.
Race Base
Utilizing a TPU base material reduces drag and increases waterflow. This allows the ski to carry more speed behind the boat resulting in earlier lines and easier turns in the slalom course.
Enduro Tip/Tail
By introducing a nylon block in both the tip and tail of our Vapors we have increased durability and made the water flow more efficiently
THIS SAYS BALL OF SPRAY AFTER TESTING THE NEW 2024 VAPOR PRO BUILD:
Since 2014 Radar has introduced a major revision to the Vapor every other year. The 2024 Vapor represents the most significant evolution since the seminal 2016 Vapor.
Is it Fast? Vapors are known as fast skis and the 2024 Vapor challenges the definition of what it means for a ski to be “fast”. If “fast” means the skier does not have to work very hard to get from side to side while making buckets of space then the 2024 is a very fast ski. During the review period, I skied more hard passes per ride and/or more rides per week than I would normally be able to because the ski requires less physical work.
Fast skis traditionally have the reputation of being at least somewhat unstable, unforgiving, and finicky. The 2024 Vapor is NONE of these things. This ski is exceptionally stable, forgiving, and easy to ride.
Especially noticeable for Off Side turns, the Vapor does not seem to tail slide or smear through apex. The front of the ski pulls the skier through the turn. Imagine driving through sharp corners in a front-wheel drive race car. The amount of inside front bevel in the water and the rate at which the ski is rolled dictates how fast and sharp the Vapor will turn. This ski naturally rides flat and tip down so having enough ski in the water is nearly automatic. If you just trust the ski, you will leave every ball with more than enough angle.
On Side turns are very much the same as Off Side. If you approach the ball centered on the ski and roll it to the inside the tip will pull under the line and send you to the other side. My personal skiing has long been plagued with poor On Side turns and the Vapor’s stable and forgiving nature ignores more of these faults than expected.
On both sides, the finish of the turn is fast, sharp, and symmetrical. If it were possible for any ski to have On Side turn mechanics on both sides of the course, the Vapor would be that ski.
This ski’s “turn from the front” behavior also shows up at gate turn-in. Rolling in from a glide the grip of the front of the ski is distinctive and offers an unexpected level of control.
I found the best results on the Vapor when I made an effort to minimize upper body movement and delay putting my free hand back on the handle after apex. If you just let the ski roll to the inside, turns will be fast and consistent. This ski does not need to be or like to be pushed unless you literally want to go 90 degrees at the ball.
From the second wake to the ball the 2024 Vapor flows out wide of the ball line dependably and without drama. The ski’s stability and consistency allows the skier to perform his/her technical takes without ever wondering what the ski is going to do.
Because of the way the ski flows out at edge-change, the skier may find it easier than expected to control rope tension off the second wake and be able to keep a tighter line from edge change to apex. I do not understand how a ski this fast can feel like this but the Vapor does it.
This ski breaks preconceptions. It has a combination of attributes previously thought impossible to be found in one ski. It is stable, predictable, fast, and with crazy sharp turns. This ski is an engineering achievement.
Historically the Vapors have been designed for very short-line skiing but have also been a surprisingly good choice for a wider range of skiers. The 2024 appears to follow this tradition and may be the best yet in terms of wide appeal.
If the 2024 Vapor does not become the best-selling Vapor of all time I will eat my hardshell boot liner.
