igkya

I second the use of Wally buoys.  Going on third year, still look like new and much safer should you hit one with your ski.

Thx @Golfguy

To anyone that has used sonar, I read there's no temperature restrictions and to apply apply at first sign of weeds and it may take 30+ days to fully work.  What would happen if I used it before weeds started to grow?

New season for me.  Skied Tahoe, 34 degree air, man made snow, but it was skiing and I was on the mountain!

Our 2005 196 SN peaked engine hours at 1,092 on the perfect pass gauge.  would be interested if there's a way to determine actual hours too.

Problem resolved.

There isn't an in-line or pre-filter just before the low pressure pump on this boat.  We took the pump out and looked inside.  There's a micro mesh/screen that was 95%+ blocked.  Simple cleaning, put back together and boat is strong like bull again.

Thanks for the input.

Put new rotor on today, it seemed like it eliminated any backfiring.  We got baselines for volts at alternator and fuel pressure, both within spec at idle and WOT.  Afetr about 12+ passes, the engine started to lose power, volts stayed at ~14 but the fuel pressure dropped from 60 to 35psi.  Since the issue only seems to happen after the engine has run for a while, I'm leaning towards both low and high=pressure pumps should be replaced vs. fuel filters (FCC fuel filter was replaced a week ago).  Agree?

The engine temp is still at 115, would this suggest that the thermostat is stuck open and simply should be replaced?

Didn't mean to imply the fuel pump would cause the gauges to go out, simply that they aren't reliable and haven't been for a year+.  I'm guessing the checking the voltage is an an easy enough thing to check with any voltmeter.

Issue has morphed from only being present while the engine was cold to now where it runs great untill it's warmed (about 12-18 passes).  It's now losing power and to the point it won't hold speed thru course. Most gauges no longer work, but from the left speed gauge, the digital engine temp on is only at 115 degrees F.  We're starting to get loud backfiring too.  Any chance this could be fuel related with the low pressure pump?

No issues for last 4 ski days, then today the engine just lost all power as we were going around the turn island.  Picked up the skier and boat ran great back to the dock when we called it a day.  I think I have access to an OBD reader, but not sure where to connect this and not finding this in the PCM or owners manual.  Any help?

Problems continued but were inconsistent and seemed to go away after the engine was warmed up... sometimes after 3 passes, sometimes it took a few sets.  I took the D-cap off and saw the points were a bit pitted and the rotor was black.  Took some fine grit sandpaper to clean them and the problem seems to have been resolved, at least for the last 2 ski days.

New filter didn't resolve the issue.  Cleaned the spark arrestor yesterday which was really dirty and on the 2nd set, the problem seems to have gone away, or at least is not as bad or frequent.

We pulled the filter yesterday, it was black.  Didn't see anything else wrong.  Test drove boat making several starts, but no skier in tow, and the problem did not occur.  New filter should be delivered tomorrow.

Ez enuff to check fuel filter, but shouldn't the problem be more constant, like driving thru course?

Boat just started hesitating on most starts, regardless if a skier is in tow or not.  Lasts for ~1-2 seconds and then gets to speed quickly with no other noticeable problems.  Any suggestions on what may be causing this?

Been on the new vapors since they came out.   I tighten the front BOA for a good connection to the ski but leave the bungee around the ankles on the loose side. Took a bit to get used to but no issues in a crash. 

No, but I like their car wash products.

@Taynton  the www is full of old and useless info when it comes to information like this. Can you direct us to some of the info you are referring to?

Concur with @Bruce_Butterfield and did a similar test driving one-hand vs 2-handed and found it much easier and less corrections when driving one handed.  Conversely, I find driving a vehicle on the highway to be easier and more controlled with two hands.

Using an elliptical machine in a backwards motion (power over speed) is similar to what @wish said about about pulling up on a a stationary bike.

I recall someone on this forum made ski racks out of PVC pipe that seemed like they worked well, but can't find the post.

We use zip ties around the Wally sinker eyes, then attach plastic hook and bungee to a sub-buoy.  The zip ties act as a safety break away point if a skier hits the ball.  

93 days, 1050 passes.  34mph, 28-35 off with a few cracks at 38

@Bruce_Butterfield While she may not be a superstar, she could be my dedicated observer any day. If she could drive, that'd be even better :)

@DW but can she drive a ski boat?