Sethro

Be sure to try it again after it has had a chance to completely cool down. The other tune up parts certainly are a good idea anyway, but it'd be nice to know if you had your first bout of vapor lock.

You are likely experiencing vapor lock. A known problem with that era of Malibu...and other manufacturers for that matter. I've found propping the engine box and running the blower for a while when I know I'm going to sit for 20-30 minutes helps. There is a lot of discussion on TheMalibuCrew.com regarding this issue, and a known solution with a secondary fuel pump. If you search around on that site, you'll learn all you want to know about the dreaded vapor lock issue for your boat.

Well I've been through a roller coaster in regards to course skiing lately. Two weeks ago skied the in the course for the first time since last August (medical issues) and kept the speed at 32mph to work on timing. Ski is the 69.5 and I set it up with the factory numbers which I assume are the Chris Rossi numbers often spoke of. Ran -22 and -28 with mostly made passes. The next day sped back up to -34 and did some back to back to back to...you get the idea at -22 and made a couple -28. Was really looking forward to the year at that point, then we lost our ski site. We have since regained its use but only for a two hour window on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Big bummer. Ok more than a big bummer, as I'm really devastated about it. But better than nothing. Skied Thursday morning and didn't miss a -22 or -28 and had a couple of "counting the pass before it's made" at -32 with scores of 4 and 5. Now, for me, the consistency is like I've never experienced before. I've heard the phrase "every pass is like a snowflake" and that has been me over the years...especially the last several years. My all time personal best is 2 @ -35 several years ago, so to be so close to that with very little course time in essentially the last year is blowing me away. I've been on the same 2008 Senate-C for the last six (I think) years. I'm not good at describing my impressions with the profound technical explanations that some of you have offered. I will simply say my impressions are more speed with less effort, and it absolutely rewards correct body position which will hopefully build the muscle memory to repeat it more consistently. I'm already seeing that. The other thing that stands out is the offside turn is actually better for me right now. Perhaps I just haven't figured out the onside turn yet, but I can "make up time" on the offside which is a new concept to me.

I'll echo that...Nice work! What's up with the hand rails on a closed bow???

@UWSkier the water temp was 61 degrees

I'm happy to report it works now...or I should say it works for me now as we all know it works! Still haven't been in the course yet, just free skiing on the river. Not sure if moving the bindings back one hole from center did the trick, or if it was just more time on the ski. But I'm officially loving it now. My ski buddy gave it a whirl too. He's 185lbs but skis at 30 mph for his age, and was pleasantly surprised to be able to turn the long ski.

Thanks for the encouragement @UWSkier. I'm sure it has everything to do with me being tentative on a new ski. Ironically, I moved my bindings one hole back from center after skiing it last time. It's as close to 30.75" as one can get I think, as there is some error possible depending on where one puts the end of the tape measure and which binding is being used. I plan to ski again this evening, so hopefully it goes better. @Ed_Johnson I was kind of torn between 68" and 69.5" but this is the lightest I've been in ages, so I'm not sure if I'll stay at 220 pounds or creep back up a little.

I might be the only one to say it didn't work for me "right out of the box" but that's one of my characteristics. I simply can't switch skis and start where I left off...every ski I've ever switched to takes a few outings before I'm "used" to it. I have no doubt it's all in my head. Just free skiing on the river today and I'm struggling with the offside turn. Slack rope, tail riding, falling over....I was doing it all. I can tell I'm going to like it when I get used to it as it had moments of brilliance. But it'll take a while for me to switch the muscle memory from the last six years on the same Senate-C.

@Ed_Johnson I am 6'5" and weigh 220 pounds

So I set my Vapor up last night. I assume the 31" measurement for the front binding I used was developed with a Vapor boot, and I'm using a 2011 Strada boot. With that said, I'm only one hole forward of center, but I thought I'd ask here. Seems everyone is always talking about bindings forward usually isn't the answer for tail riding tendencies...like I have when I get in trouble. Ski is a 69.5" and I'm using a rear toe plate....should I stick with the 31" (actually found two settings 30.75" and 31") to the heal of the Strada boot on the standard aluminum plate for the "recommended" setting? It's easy enough to switch after trying I know, but I'm just wondering what others think.

Can't wait to receive and try mine! Thanks again, @skidawg

The only thing I see you haven't checked is the exhaust hoses from the manifolds to the mufflers. I once had a Supra (Indmar Conversion) that had overheating issues. I tried many of the things you mentioned already, but found the baffles inside the exhaust hose had collapsed causing flow restriction, obviously. Didn't find the problem until I was standing on the dock and watched my dad take off and noticed no water coming out the port exhaust flapper.

I've searched high and low for the radar factory blem thread. I remember there was a website even. Could someone please direct me to the website of the BOS member that was selling the Radar blems? Thanks!

I had the injections as it was deemed worth a try. I had two opinions that surgery was probably necessary, with both doctors saying try the shots as maybe they'd help. They had zero effect on me. Zero. So I had the cervical fusion.

I still have my Nevin LRS vest with the built in brace. I really like it. Damn thing shrunk though...but I'm approaching the weight I was at before it shrunk, so I might just get to wear it again. :) I actually searched on and off for a long time looking for a xxl leftover stock somewhere as my xl was always a little snug. I thought about posting a want ad but never got around to it.

My first boat, technically, was a canoe I purchased in 8th grade after saving my mowing money for what seemed like forever. But the "real" first boat was this 1988 Supra Comp. I loved that boat, bought in the summer of 1996 with 120 hours. Sold in fall of 1998 with almost 400. Previous owner had a new Supra Comp sitting in the driveway, so he was ready to deal.

I have moved to a rear toe plate and I'm going to stick with it. I have two Radar Strada bindings (one 2011 and one 2012) that are both left foot forward on rear plates...size 13-14. Just throwing this out there, anyone have right foot forward Strada bindings sitting around that would like to trade? They are both in good shape, the 2012 hardly used.

Also from northern IL, I hear you...heck, I was skiing on the river last weekend. But I saw the forecast and pulled my dock and rails Sunday afternoon. And winterized the boat. We didn't get fifteen inches though.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o216/sethro324Sethro/Malibu%20Pics/459_zps3bra12jn.jpg 98 Echelon

That is very tempting Ed. I've been a size 13 since 8th grade, but a narrow foot. Would you consider a blank sale with that rear toe piece instead of the rear binding?

I'm thinking about buying a new trick ski. My late 90's 44inch Obrien still works, and I don't need a ski, but I have to think a bigger ski would help me. I see that D3 will custom make a ski, and if I'm buying a new one I might as well get it made for me. I am 6'5" and weigh around 250lbs, and ski at 19.8 mph. I wouldn't mind being able to slow down a bit, but it's not comfortable on my ski to do so. I'm certainly not advanced, and could score around 1000pts I guess according to my talented trick skiing neighbors. I can do toe back/front and toe wake back/front, but that's it for toe tricks at this point. So what do you think...what would be the optimum length for a ski custom made for me???

98 Echelon

You're welcome @markchilcutt, but I feel a little bad about accepting thanks for something that will benefit me so much. :) I'm trying to talk him into a road trip ASAP to go pick that boat up, but I'll settle for the current plan I guess.

Mark, your buyer is my next door neighbor. I believe I've convinced him the trick wake/table will be pretty much just like my boat...98 Echelon. He's used to a much smaller and more abrupt trick wake on his current boat, but your table will be much nicer. I've tricked quite a bit behind a 2005 LXI and it's as good as it gets in my opinion. Weight and watching the gas level doesn't create that much of a difference...unless we're talking a bunch of extra weight/people then it gets pretty large. Did you upgrade to StarGazer, as in the boat has the paddle wheel sensor for trick speed control? We ski on a river quite a bit, and the paddle wheel sensor is a must for tricking in a current. By the way, I'm so excited about this boat I can't think straight.

I'm sure the names have changed, but I will share a lifetime hull warranty experience I had with Malibu a few years back...I'll just copy and paste my post from a few years back: I thought I would share an experience regarding the Malibu Boats plant in TN, and specifically dealing with a warranty issue on a 10 year old Echelon that I purchased new. A couple of years ago, I noticed the floor sinking between the stringers and the gunnel, starting at the observer's/driver's seat running all the way back under the gas tank on both sides. The floor had a concave appearance and dipped roughly 1/2 inch. In addition, the flip up piece covering the mufflers and the drive shaft was failing...the honeycomb material (I think) was breaking down. I realized the problem didn't affect performance in any way, but it definitely bothered me. I decided to call the factory, and I got John Sisson's name as the man to explain my problem to. I made the initial phone call last June, and prepared myself for the worst, as I was skeptical of the response I would receive as the boat was 10 years old with 650hrs. I had my arguments all thought out in advance. I spoke with John, and he immediately told me that was obviously a problem and something Malibu would fix. John said it was rare, though something they had seen (and fixed) in the past. One possible explanation to the problem was not getting the two part foam under the floor mixed EXACTLY right, allowing the floor to settle over time. He stated there might be some labor costs as the warranty was materials only, but added he would work with me on that. I was basically told that whenever I could get my boat to TN, they would fix the problem, and suggested the winter layup for obvious reasons. John told me he would have Kerri Johns contact me so we could set up some kind of plan. As promised, Kerri contacted me and we set up a tentative plan for sometime around the end of September. I didn't want the boat going in foul winter weather, and I figured I could just use the other boats in my group of skiing friends for the estimated two week turn around for the repair. Well the time came, and Kerri found a truck that would be passing through my area and I was going to meet the truck along the highway for the driver to pick up my boat. She couldn't promise the quick turn around as there were some promo boats ahead of mine, so I asked if we could just go ahead and wait till it got colder, which wasn't a problem. I ended up taking the boat to my dealer in early November as they were receiving a shipment of boats, and mine could tag along as a "back haul" to the factory to save shipping costs. I told Kerri not to hurry as the extra garage space for the winter would be nice. As everyone knows, the boat building business took a dive and for various reasons Kerri explained the boat would probably be at the factory for much longer than she anticipated. I again thanked her for keeping me updated, and said I would patient as I enjoyed the extra garage space and didn't really want the boat traveling on messy winter roads anyway. I caught wind of our own GalaxyToad going to the factory for a tour, so I asked him to check on my boat if he got a chance...he did and took a picture of it sitting on the lot, which was a nice touch. After the repairs were done, it became quite a juggling act to try and coordinate the shipping back to my area...not many new boats leaving the factory for mine to hitch a ride with. Fastforward to April and I received this e-mail from Kerri: Hi Seth. We are getting close. It will leave this week, I just don’t know the exact day. We’ll deliver to Munson so they can offload it since I have to make this a 2 boat load to keep expenses down. I’m thinking it will deliver this Thursday or Friday. Would you be able to p/up quickly? Munson is busting at the seams right now getting boats ready for the season. I will be in touch soon. Thanks! Oh, and since we deemed this to be completely warrantable and your boat is in such immaculate condition, we know you’ve not been abusive at all with it and we’ve decided to take care of all warranty repairs and transportation costs. We just apologize that it even happened in the first place and that we weren’t able to get to the repairs as quickly as originally anticipated. Thank you for your patience. Kerri R. Johns I was figuring I would have to spend somewhere around $800 for the round trip transportation to TN, so to me this was like hitting the lotto. The transportation costs included Munson's hoisting the boat to/from the semi trailer (twice) and Malibu's heat shrinkable shipping covers for both trips. I picked the boat up at Munson's and was overwhelmingly pleased with the repairs. The new carpet matched very well and I now have a removable rear floor section like the newer boats instead of my old hinged section, which I was never very fond of. In addition, my bilge was cleaner than when I sent it to them, so the small details were taken care of as well. I just wanted to share the unbelievably positive experience I had with Malibu. Will I buy another Malibu? No doubt there....just as soon as I can convince my wife that we NEED an 03-06 RLXI or 99-04 SSLXI. Or better yet convince her a new boat straight from the factory is necessary...someday that day will come. Seth