2 hours ago, SkipGundlach said:

Anyone have an idea of where to find a VelvetDrive dipstick replacement?

A little spendy for a dipstick, but here's an option at Bake's...  https://www.bakesonline.com/walters-v-drive-oil-dipstick.html. 

You could also try contacting Walter (company) directly.  See contact info at http://www.waltergear.com/

BTW, looks like you're looking for a dipstick for a Walter V-drive, not a "VelvetDrive".  (Velvet Drive is a common marine transmission, but probably not what's in your boat. You likely have a ZF-Hurth transmission coupled with with a Walter V-drive.  There is a dipstick on each one, but from your images looks like the one on the Walters V-drive is the issue).

Best of luck!

Agreed.  Too much wheel.  13.5x17.5 was factory on those in the Acme 381, but that's not a surf prop either.  It's a great slalom prop and it's what we've run on my dad's '01 VLX (Sunsetter, same boat, just different hull tweaks) for 23 years now.  But for surfing, definitely prop down.  I wouldn't go any bigger than 14" on that older hull design.

19 minutes ago, PNWoke said:

Sorry not an oil expert.  Just know that chevron delos 15-40 is gtg in my engine, and that not all 15-40 is recommended by indmar.  I assumed it had to do with treatment or additives, it could just be a specific testing protocol/rating performed by the manufacturer.

It has to do with certain oil specifications - typically the s? rating (sm,sn, etc) or the c?-? ratings - which tend to be more of a diesel thing.

20 hours ago, oldjeep said:

Doesn't matter, since even though they say Pennzoil, they have a weight, viscosity and if it has to be synthetic.

Marine stabilizers in oil?  Uh, no.  You are looking for some automotive spec like sm or sn or???

Sorry not an oil expert.  Just know that chevron delos 15-40 is gtg in my engine, and that not all 15-40 is recommended by indmar.  I assumed it had to do with treatment or additives, it could just be a specific testing protocol/rating performed by the manufacturer.

You can build your own cable to read the data interface on your MEFI-2 ECM.  This thread has details on how to build it, and also the software: