DW

Off topic but remember the women's slalom record via RJ is behind a TXI along with a bunch of PB's at that same tournament.  From a handle perspective, pretty sporty although may not be the most attractive:-)  Hopefully the dealership reboot for the 15 Tommy's gets done to everyone's satisfaction.

Clear helicopter tape, its purpose is leading edge of blades to minimize debris damage.  Tough stuff but not real cheap.

It appears Tommy's has filed for bankruptcy via each of the dealerships:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/report-accused-defaulting-tommy-boats-205413201.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFT-B3n3b1ZGp4uW_E4aAOv3e1IvSdbRHo7v9S0NsrqLU3F2nsKxWHGg-0vJuPytCzFUpaJynECfmuBc1uADIVg1ofdvDdK39Zx0yCmfBqRjOY6Z_hbiu9_bjRfCbIiJkF5l5J6BcA19ROe9THKMAyWwIxnUMxa3-IIhSCWotbbW

Just my opinion from the survey data, given 60-65% of the respondents in a watersports centric state like Wisconsin are in favor of wake boat restrictions, blaming others or trying to stop legislation may not be a successful strategy.  I am guessing the legislation ship is, or will be leaving port and it won't be stopped.  Hopefully there will be a way to separate the offending group from the rest that have been able to enjoy their sport on the water with at least minimal pushback.  If not, it will push 3 event / slalom farther in the niche category.  It will take effort on skiers part regardless to fend off a large net.

Are the two boats setup the same (nose high comment)?  Items to think about which rebalance weight would include front bow cover, rear seats, amount of fuel, miscellaneous stuff in back, different rear platform.  Once that is confirmed and same for both, from the sounds of it you might dig in to looking for any looseness in the steering system & rudder (looseness feeling comment).  Might take two people to grab wheel and rudder to confirm.

Buy some lottery tickets, that sounds like the one outcome that didn’t result in a very bad outcome.

It might be worth some research in to the throttle for any recalls, newer versions, etc.  Unless you found something specific, one time events are rare.

A test for a singing prop is to pull back to neutral at speed, you should hear the prop sing as the boat slows down and the trans disengaged.  That can reduce one variable in the equation.  

As desperation sets in I have resorted to ‘stitching’ the overlay back together with safety wire.  It holds very well, just make sure you poke the wire through back away from the tear.  I also have safety wire pliers that help pulling the parts together and snug.  The safety wire hole (.025” dia) won’t tear like a zip tie notch might.

DIY guard with paracord.  I find every solution has drawbacks, consider carefully what is important to you.

Sadly although one could expect it, Malibu owners are starting to report various locations being locked or closed.  The habit of borrowing and borrowing cheap money for toys doesn’t always end well.

@Hucklefin - CL championship #1 if/when AN joins Ferrari, I fixed it for you:-)  If you wanted to get on Horton’s good side you would have substituted Alonso and AM for LH & Ferrari.

You can add some vertical supports (as simple as a 2x2 ) to reduce any floor sagging.

Fantastic, thanks.  It does, however, highlight the rather extended time warp from when we absorbed ‘west coast slalom’ with the same vigor decades ago, or how old I am!  Anticipating more great episodes.

As for Ferrari - you gotta support that F1 team and your $50M/yr driver somehow and if all those tifosi are willing, well why not. 

It's a bummer that pro slalom doesn't have the following of F1 or perhaps 1 billion people cheering for the guy (Zhoe) that finished 14th in the last race.

Why would or should either the boat manufacturers, dealers or individuals reduce their price when the market is willing to pay? 

Looking at market trends over the decades in a general sense, our purchases today are bloated versions of what we or our parents purchased decades ago - ie:  compare the average size of a home, the amenities in the vehicles we drive, the cool stuff we get to ride behind the boat, etc.  There is a component of inflation & product cost that is totally buyer driven not supplier pushed.

If one talks major sport Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, although sadly pro skiing just slightly misses justifying a $50 million / year contract.

Didn’t Aussie Malibu announce a waterski OZ support thru 2030 for the TXI?

Another effective noise abatement tool is the Silent Rider muffler.  The 2 MC's on our lake with them are noticeably quieter than the inline twins.  

@jpwhit - if you jumped on a plane today, you could also catch the MotoGP race at COTA, probably one of the best motorsports events to soak up:-)  Friends, Texas BBQ, racing and skiing, what else do you need.

Why stop there when you could go for an even 1000:

https://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2021/oct/1020-crate.html

No need for a list, just get this one:-)

22 hours ago, Sethro said:

Not only did Malibu extend the partnership to 2030, they continually aired an advertisement during the Australian Nationals hinting at a redesigned TXi for 2025. At the end of the ad with very dark pics of a direct drive boat touting stronger, smarter, cleaner, better, they said….You spoke. We listened. TXi ‘25. 

Kudos to Malibu (and any mfg.) that puts in the effort & $ to improve a slalom tug, it’s such a small market we should be thankful for this.  

Perhaps down under & Europe there is still a decent ski market particularly with much higher fuel costs, and more interested in the physically demanding challenge of slalom v surf.

Great ambassador for the sport period.  Congrats.

https://apnews.com/article/olympics-safesport-abuse-ted-stevens-act-cb4398af5c3f50e94ce35fb3d21509bd

Here is the product label:
https://www.sepro.com/documents/Sonar-H4C_Label.pdf