2 hours ago, hawaiianstyln said:

if the steering is stiff, the cable needs to be replaced.  The direct drive on the response does make this much easier.  Unscrew from the rudder side, unscrew the 4 bolts on the rack and pinion side that is attached to the steering wheel and it will pull out.  

https://www.themalibucrew.com/index.php?/forums/topic/56100-steering-cable-change-lxi/

The write up by oldjeep is great! 

After disconnecting the steering cable from the rudder, turn the rudder back and forth by hand to ensure it is not binding and the problem is indeed the cable.

Before you spend the money on a cable, please confirm that it is just "stiff" and no pulling to one side when at speed?  If so, that is rudder pre-load and is normal for an inboard slalom ski boat.  

If it is just stiff in general, and more stiff at speed, then disconnect the end of the cable from the rudder tiller and see how stiff it is by moving the steering wheel.  Then check the rudder for smooth rotation...there is a chance your rudder bushing is damaged and is binding and the cable is fine.

You need a new cable as said.  Tape/attached the new cable to the old and pull through after you detach everything.

56 minutes ago, IXFE said:

For sure I don’t know specifics on Tommy’s situation. How could any of us… private company and whatnot. But I do have quite a bit of experience both raising large amounts of commercial debt and managing debt on corporate balance sheets, servicing that debt, refinancing / re-pricing that debt, credit ratings, interest rates, etc. I have loads of respect for you, 85 (always have, I think you know that) so take this as simply me sharing some of my experience and principles I’ve learned (and am now applying here, a close but not exactly identical set of circumstances)… 

In my experience, commercial credit isn’t driven by volume or wow factor. It’s driven by RISK. That is all the banks really care about. “Am I going to get my money back?” is what they care about, not an impressive or inflated growth rate.

People make this mistake all the time when they do a large commercial debt raise… “I’m gonna show these guys how awesome my growth rate is and how much market share I have.”  They fail to understand their audience; lenders are not equity investors. Growth is not what banks care about. They would rather see SLOW, steady top-line growth and LARGE free cash flow that is BANKABLE and not susceptible to the way the winds blow. “Hockey stick” top line growth actually scares them. 

I simply don’t believe Tommy’s has steady, consistent cash flow (like 20% - 30% demonstrated over years). I also think the bank knows this industry can and does flip on a dime; they have long memories. And think about the pitch… “Uh, we need to increase our credit line because Malibu wants us to sit on more inventory.” It takes the bank about 30 seconds to do the math and assess the risk of that increased inventory turning stale. 

I also believe that if they just recently raised their credit limit, it wasn’t likely done for free (it never is cuz the leverage ratio changes and not in a good way). All that is factored into the bank’s risk model. And as Tommy’s asks for more it’s a simple calculation… what is the implied debt to earnings/fcf ratio? What is the risk profile of the industry? The higher those variables go … well, so goes the juice! 

100% speculation on my part, but I think it’s founded on sound lending experience/principles. For all I know you own a bank that floors ATV or something and I’m way out of my depth. lol. 

I understand (and agree) completely.  I was just pointing out a collateralized $20M floor plan to a 17 store dealership chain didn’t seem unreasonably risky.  When that goes well over 9 figures, I agree a lot starts changing.  

EDIT:  And thx for the compliment!  Same here.

1 hour ago, JasonTucker said:

Drilling 5/8" holes in this transom was maybe the scariest thing I've ever done.

I'm scared to drill to install Phender Pros, and that's above the water line!   Nice job on the lights, show us some in use pics next!