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Located in Ellensburg Washington, D3 is owned and operated by Denny and Creed Kidder. Denny Kidder is a living legend in the world of water-ski manufacturing. Denny’s designs have been used by the best skiers in the world for over 4 decades. Denny’s passion has always been the design and production of three-event waterski products. In the 80’s his Kidder Redline ruled the competitive slalom scene. The best jump skiers in the world were riding Kidder jump skis and the Kidder trick ski is still the benchmark by which all others will be measured. In the mid-nineties Denny sold the Kidder brand and started KD Skis. His new design the KD 7000 instantly became a hit. The 7000 was ultimately awarded ski design of the decade by Water Ski Magazine.

Fast forward to 2001. Denny had sold KD but the fire still burned inside to produce three event skis for the high end competitor. “ We made the decision to let the other companies worry about tubes, combos, vests and such.” “We wanted to focus on three-event hard goods for the passionate, hard-core competitors” Denny said. With the no-expense spared philosophy Denny teamed up with his son Creed Kidder. Creed has been working with Denny producing water skis most of his adult life. With that experience Creed is the D3 operations manager and runs the day to day business at the plant in Ellensburg. Denny also recruited Paul Crawford who had represented (and competed on) Kidder Products since 1992. A former National Over-all Champion, Paul and his wife Kari now handle the sales, R&D and marketing side of the D3 operation. With this small team assembled, a very small 3,200 square foot manufacturing facility was acquired. D3 produced its first ski in early 2002.

By 2009 the facility has grown to almost 10,000 square feet but the initial mission statement has remained intact. Produce, without compromise the finest three event water ski products in the world. D3 is the only company who produces jump skis, trick skis and slalom skis. We remain dedicated to the three event competitor. To date D3 Skis holds world records and continue to dominate the podiums at jump, trick and slalom events all over the world.

Welcome to D3. Dedicated to 3-event.


Denny, Creed & Paul

How We Adjust The Fin
 
Fin Adjustments

The adjustable fin on the ski is designed to "fine-tune" performance characteristics which may vary
between individual skiing styles, skier weight and boat speed. There are three types of adjustments
that can be made to the fin: depth, length, and distance to the tail.

Distance to the Tail of the Ski
An adjustment forward (toward the tip of the ski) lifts the front and drops the tail during an on-side
turn. An adjustment backward drives the front into the water and raises the tail.

Fin Depth
More depth improves stability and holding power, while less depth makes it easier to turn.

Fin Length
An increased fin length drives the tip of the ski into the water during the off-side turn. A fin with shorter
length raises the tip of the ski.

Each type of adjustment will substantially change the performance of the ski. The less the leading
edge of the fin is out of the ski, the more the fin will keep the front of the ski up. The longer the
leading edge, the more it drives the front into the water.

In order to accurately verify results, only one type of adjustment should be made between ski rides.
Do not exceed .020" of adjustment per ski ride. Exceeding this tolerance can result in unacceptable
results and quick falls.

Once the ultimate fin position has been determined, mark and/or measure the fin position. Therefore,
if the fin is accidentally moved the exact position can be easily readjusted.

Wing / Spoiler
The wing is designed to help slow the ski down as you approach the turns. The more angle you set
on the wing, the faster your ski will decelerate into the turns. The tolerances for the wing angle should
be kept between 6-10 degrees.

Adjustment Options
Problem Solution

Difficult to initiate turn Decrease fin depth, and/or move fin forward
Unstable and/or too fast into turns Increase fin depth and/or move fin backward
Too much ski tip in water on both left and right turns Increase fin depth
Too much ski in the water while turning off-side causing breaking at the waist Decrease fin length
Too much ski in the water while turning on-side Move fin forward
Too much ski tip out of the water during on-side turns Move fin backward
Difficult to initiate angle across wakes Move fin forward
Ski overturns and gets too much angle across wakes Move fin backward and/or add depth
Ski changes edges too slowly Decrease fin depth and/or move fin forward
Ski is too responsive Increase fin depth and/or move fin backward

INSTRUCTIONS:

To adjust fin settings: 1) Record wing angle and remove the wing. 2) Loosen Allen screws on the fin
clamps to allow the fin to slide with only a slight pressure. 3) Adjust to desired settings using set
screws. 4) Tighten Allen screws to hold fin tightly in place. 5) Check measurement after tightening
screws as sometimes the fin will move while tightening 6) Replace wing to desired angle using D3
Skis angle gauges.


How we measure depth


How we measure distance from tail, flat


How we measure distance from tail, needle


How we measure length tips
Slalom Ski set up information
 
 Slalom Ski Factory Recommended Fin Settings

Recommended settings for Fusion, Fusion GS, Z7 ST & ST Diamond Slalom

Needle Flat Wing at
Wing at

Size Length Depth From Tail From Tail 34 mph
36 mph
Binding
62" 6.885" 2.485" 0.760 0.72 7 degrees
8 degrees
27.5"
63"6.900"2.490"0.7650.7257 degrees8 degrees28"
64" 6.905" 2.495" 0.770 0.73" 7 degrees8 degrees28.5"
65" 6.910" 2.505" 0.775 0.735" 7 degrees8 degrees29"
66" 6.915" 2.510" 0.780 0.74" 7 degrees8 degrees29.5"
67" 6.920" 2.515" 0.785 0.745" 7 degrees8 degrees30"
68" 6.925" 2.520" 0.790 0.75" 7 degrees8 degrees30.5"








Recommended settings for X7, X7 Pearl and X3 Slalom

NeedleFlatWing at
Wing at

SizeLengthDepthFrom TailFrom Tail34 mph
36 mph
Binding
64"6.910"
2.500"0.770"0.730"7 degrees8 degrees28.5"
65"6.920"
2.505"0.775"0.735"7 degrees8 degrees29"
66"6.930"
2.510"0.780"0.740"7 degrees8 degrees29.5"
67"6.940"
2.515"0.785"0.745"7 degrees8 degrees30"
68"6.950"
2.520"0.790"0.750"7 degrees8 degrees30.5"
69"6.960"
2.525"0.795"0.755"7 degrees8 degrees31"




Recommended settings for Z7 & Z7 Diamond Slalom

Needle Flat Wing at
Wing at

Size Length Depth From Tail From Tail 34 mph
36 mph
Binding
62" 6.880" 2.480" 0.770 0.720 7 degrees8 degrees27.5"
64" 6.890" 2.490" 0.780 0.730" 7 degrees8 degrees28.5"
65" 6.895" 2.495" 0.785 0.735" 7 degrees8 degrees29"
66" 6.900" 2.500" 0.790 0.740" 7 degrees8 degrees29.5"
67" 6.905" 2.505" 0.795 0.745" 7 degrees8 degrees30"
68" 6.910" 2.510" 0.800 0.750" 7 degrees8 degrees30.5"

Recommended settings for Nomad RCX Slalom

Needle Flat Wing at
Wing at

Size Length Depth From Tail From Tail 34 mph
36 mph
Binding
62" 6.88" 2.480" 0.770" 0.720" 7 degrees8 degrees27.5"
64" 6.90" 2.490" 0.780" 0.730" 7 degrees8 degrees28.5"
65" 6.91" 2.495" 0.785" 0.735" 7 degrees8 degrees29"
66" 6.92" 2.500" 0.790" 0.740" 7 degrees8 degrees29.5"
67" 6.93" 2.505" 0.795" 0.745" 7 degrees8 degrees30"
68" 6.94" 2.510" 0.800" 0.750" 7 degrees8 degrees30.5"




Recommended settings for Nomad RC Slalom

Needle Flat Wing at
Wing at

Size Length Depth From Tail From Tail 34 mph
36 mph
Binding
63" 6.89" 2.502" 0.760" 0.710" 7 degrees8 degrees28"
65" 6.91" 2.512" 0.770" 0.720" 7 degrees8 degrees29"
66" 6.92" 2.515" 0.775" 0.725" 7 degrees8 degrees29.5"
67" 6.93" 2.517" 0.780" 0.730" 7 degrees8 degrees30"
68" 6.94" 2.520" 0.785" 0.735" 7 degrees8 degrees30.5"

Recommended settings for X5 Pro, Pro Rose & CX Slaloms


Needle Flat Wing at
Wing at

Size Length Depth From Tail From Tail 34 mph
36 mph
Binding
63.5" 6.90" 2.505" 0.770" 0.720" 7 degrees8 degrees
28"
65.5" 6.92" 2.515" 0.780" 0.730" 7 degrees8 degrees29"
66.5" 6.93" 2.517" 0.785" 0.735" 7 degrees8 degrees29.5"
67.5" 6.94" 2.520" 0.790" 0.740" 7 degrees8 degrees30"
68.5" 6.95" 2.525" 0.795" 0.745" 7 degrees8 degrees30.5"
69.5" 6.96" 2.527" 0.800" 0.750" 7 degrees8 degrees31"

Speed and line length can affect settings

 Ski Binding Placement
Measurements are from the back of the heel rubber on front boot to tail of ski

 How we measure the fin
Factory fin set-up will be within .010 of recommended settings.
Final adjustments may be made to accomodate personal style and preference. 
Fins are set to factory spec's but the three point allen screws have not been adjusted
to the final locked position.To lock your final settings in place slowly tighten
(with the fin blade tight in the box) the two allen screws on top of the box
and the rear allen adjustment screw so they are all snug against the fin blade.
After doing so re-check measurements to be certain they have not changed.

Please visit our web-site  www.d3skis.com  for photos of each measurement 

Ski Preparation 
We use a mold release in our production process.
Your ski will feel smoother and more consistent if you clean the ski bottom with a mild cleaner and sponge.









D3 Custom Skis
807 Prospect St #4
Ellensburg, WA 98926


Phone: 916-714-9389
E-mail: [email protected]
www.d3skis.com




How we measure binding position


Wing in stock or middle position


Wing in bottom position


Wing in rear position
Tech Support
  Slalom Ski set up information

Printable (cut-out) Wing Angle Gauge

Where Can I Try a D3?
 
DOWNLOAD A PDF OF WHERE TO TRY A D3
How do I contact you?
  Please click here for our company contact information.