TFisher

All - Took my 1997 malibu echelon for the first time this year yesterday. Engine is a 320 efi monsoon. Engine initially starts fine, runs fine and pulls a skier. We sit for about 1/2 an hour and boat starts and dies. Will idle for a bit, but chugs and dies under load. Backfires at least once. Also smell fuel. I had it towed down the lake as it wouldn't run for any period of time. After getting on the trailer, I pull the distributor cap (replaced about 3 years ago) and it's corroded. The whole area under the distributor cap appears to have received moisture at some point. Clean it and rotor button (quick clean) and same issue. It appears there are some electronics (ignition control module?) under the distributor cap which are corroded as well. I'm going to change out plugs, wires, rotor and cap. Given how bad the piece of electronics looked, I'm considering changing it as well Couple questions - Is that the electronic piece (suspect it to be ignition control) marine specific part or can I pick up at an auto parts store? Any other ideas on what it could be? As stated above, boat was fine until it sat after running.

I think 206 sacrifices slalom wake. Love nautiques, but for that era malibu is the better open bow slalom boat. No idea on surfing behind either.

On the topic of vapors - 1) Are they an easier transition from rubbers than other hardshells? 2) Any injury feedback (or lack of injuries)? I'm currently on a approach front and connelly draft rear. Sprained rear ankle 2x in the draft and have spent all winter rehabbing. Would prefer not to do that again and am considering vapors. Other option is to get a rear toe kicker or a large approach rear (or something similar). TF

I broke a fairly new straight line handle once (I'm about 160 so don't think it can't happen because you are light). Not pleasant (they did replace, so I'll give them that). Breaking a cheap rope or handle will ruin your day. In tow lasts longer and doesn't break. We wear the rubber off the handle before the rope on the handle wears out. If you are skiing much, you will wear out a cheap handle much faster. If you start replacing the cheap handle 3x as often, your economy goes out the window pretty fast. In addition, custom sizing is great.

I have a closed bow echelon. Nice wake for slalom, I believe open bow is the same. If you have $25k, buy an LX or LXI if you are looking for the open bow. If you want a closed bow, look at nautique as well. LXI has the wedge for wakeboarding.

LottaWatta - Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking here for some time. Your site really did have some great parties and it was generous to host the tournaments there. Just wanted to thank you for letting us ski at your site back in the day. I've been on both sides of this and pulling college kids/letting them use your site can be a thankless job. I ski 4 or 5 days a week and don't know if that would have happened w/o the college influence.

Lottawatta - Are you the site in Hamilton? Assuming so, FWIW, I skiied several tournaments at your site while in college. Thanks for hosting. Best parties at that site. Great place. We've had good college kids and morons (like the kind that don't understand skiing is expensive) at our site. Ground rules, documentation, liability and making sure they aren't taking over the lake would be my considerations. It's great to support college kids.