Maharajah ski

Barr, I don't use mine anymore because my body seems to have become too large for the ski   I have two Majas. My wife also uses an old Maja 360 as her walkaround ski.

If I were buying a Maja today, I would not buy a slalom ski. Personally, I just don't think that the wood is conducive to today's style of skiing in the slalom course. However, when it comes to ease of getting up, and a smooth recreational ride, maybe jumping some wakes, nothing beats the 360/flatback Maja. Also, the Maja Longboards, used for primarily for speedskiing, can be a lot of fun, particularly if you want to go for a ski in rough water.

After 50 years or so, Bob Maher is still making these skis by hand, and they are as beautiful as ever. BKH

Ducksoup has one. but it's probably mounted to his wall by now.Keith, Jeff and I took a spin around milton on it last summer- what a hoot!

hey barracuda,you ski at lake milton in ohio,dan in streetsboro ohio.if so well have to get to gether next summer along with any other members,

ccpb- Milton three ponds in NH, was the location for last summers' NE reunion. Sorry man, but agree, would be nice to meet up sometime- maybe at one of the planned outings or otherwise.
-Brad

I still have the Team Comp...blue/green version with the matching bindings and a full back binding.....at the time I bought it , it was the one to have...used by Bob Lapoint.

I got on it a couple years ago and it rode pretty well...they come around pretty quick. I have hung on to it because it was the first good ski I ever owned...lots of hours on it.

Wow, convo, I've got to a$$ume you are a young person. To learn more about Maherajah skis and their history vist www.mahaskis.com.

Bob Majer is a legend in waterskiing. He is credited with the first drop through fins, the first heal cup, the first double wrap boots, the first beveled edges, the first company to make different length skis for different skiers, and many other skiing innovations. He and his brother started making skis in the 1950.

During the 60s and 70s, Maherajah (and Herb Obrien's Obrien Ski company) were THE SKIS. My Dad ordered a Maha from Bob back in 1961, and paid over $100 dollars for it, an absurd price at that time. Bob LaPoint and other great waterskiing champions skied on Mahas. Both the Obrien's and the Mahas were beautiful, laminated hardwood skis. During the seventies both companies went to fibergla$$. The Mahas were black fibergla$$, and featured the bright yellow, orange, and black graphics. My Dad bought me a black Maha windbreaker when I was 8 or 9, and I must have worn that jacket to schoold every day for 2 or 3 years. I got my first Maha ski when I was 10 or 11.

Eventually, other technology moved forward and other skis and ski companies came along, but Bob Maher has continued to make handmade wooden skis for over 55 years now. Bob still makes traditional slalom skis, and the vintage square back skis, but the area where Maha is probably know best these days is the longboards. These are 8 foot long wooden skis ridden by over half the speed ski competitors.

Bob can still ski like a demon as well. He routinely skis in races here in California. A couple of years back, some guys in Michigan decided to do a Ski around Lake Michigan to raise money for charity. When the winds came up, and the water got rough, none the skiers were able to finish. Bob had been invited along to ride in the boat, coach the skiers etc.   When none of them could go any farther, Bob, in his 60s, climbed in and skied it himself.

If you ever get a chance to meet Bob Maher, see the beautiful skis he makes, or even better take one for a ride, I highly encourage you to do so.

BKH

No, just wordy with too much time on my hands. And, looking at my own post, too many spelling errors including spelling Bob's name wrong (Maher). BKH

Munday,

Folks don't tend to get rid of those longboards till they break them. I'll keep an eye out. Lots of speed skiers here, and sometimes they retire. BKH

64, I'm certainly not an expert, but in my experience, I'd say the old wooden skis chattered a lot more than the modern Fibergla$$ skis.

Comparing to an HO triumph, I'm not surprised that the ski felt fast. However, I believe that is more related to the shape of the ski than the material. If you were to ride, a modern, high-end carbon ski, such as a Goode, Obrien Sixam, of HO Monza, I think you'd find them to be even faster. BKH

Good stuff Mike. I rode a Kidder Redline during the late 80s. I think they still make that ski. I think the first fibergla$$ ski I ever rode was an EP. Funny, I'd gladly trade the modern equipment if I could have back the athleticism of my 20s. BKH

Understand David. That's why I still have my first wooden Maha. It's got a big chunk missing out of the side, and I'll never ride it again, but I'll never get rid of it. BKH

As I get a little older...the ski I reach for first now is my Maha. Still love the look feel and ride of those early 70's Mahas. They were THE ski to ride at one point. Like most of you guys, I have owned 'em all at one time or another but still love to ride my Maha.

john

I wish I could still ride mine,but 80#s to heavy since 1974.But she resides in a place of honor on the wall in our outdoor kitchen/pavilion.Lookin forward to watching my boy Trey give her a ride someday soon.

Munday

I picked this ski up a few years ago at a garage sale.......... don't know if it's what you are looking for. Let me know

Mojo,

As a fellow member of the bad back and +200 club, not to mention arthritic hands, I feel qualified to make a recommendation.

If you are looking for a ski to cruise, easy to get up, I'd say get a Connelly wide body ski. The current model is called the Pilot. However, they been making these skis for about 10 years. You can find them used. Drawback: The ski is not good for real aggressive cuts, and doesn't handle speeds much more than 28-30mph. Offered in two sizes, be sure you get the larger (475 sq. in. size).

If the eg0 won't let you get one of the really wide skis, or if you want something a little more aggressive, then I would recommend the HO Magnum. This ski is wider, but has a more traditional shape. It is 71" long, easy to get up, can handle fairly aggressive cuts, and will handle speeds up to 34mph. I have one of these skis. It's not a comp slalom ski, but it is a lot of fun. BKH