54 minutes ago, TomH said:

(clip)I've taken to tubing from the V to the loop (anywhere the ski can touch during a start) 

(clip)Aluminum knitting needles with the end cut off at a 45 make good fids for rope/handle building.

I've found that a dead large ballpoint pen end, or even a dead sharpie with the point and wick removed, works just fine, and there's usually one I won't mind sacrificing if I don't already have one set aside for the purpose ☺

Like Tom (also) said, however, particularly for students, sliding some vinyl tubing onto each leg (and the bar of the EZUp) of the handle line, including the stem, goes a long way toward keeping it alive longer...

Boat's being picked up soon, after the already-addressed dead-after-successful-sea-trial starboard blinker, and overheating-after-50-miles bearings on the trailer IS addressed; I can't wait to start building my EZUp and hope that my son discovers where he put my custom HO 72" ski with the (also custom) XXXL Sasquatch bindings which actually will accommodate my great understanding.

11 minutes ago, 23LSVOwner said:

I imagine Malibu would still send them parts for warranty situations.

While I'm not sure how it exactly works in the boating world, typically the dealer has to purchase the parts, even if warranty.  After the repair is made the dealer applies for warranty reimbursement, which would incude the parts and the labor.  If the bank owns their boat inventory, chances are they, or another bank owns the parts inventory.  The banks may not be interested in taking on any new inventory even if under warranty.  The only other option is operating capital, which there may not be much!

13 minutes ago, Craig98 said:

So to piggy-back on this, yes, the FW store contact numbers will go directly to Lewisville BUT they still can't order parts.  But, if the parts are there, they can work on boats.  I will say the guys are trying to help out as much as possible.  It sounded like the employees were in the dark as much as customers.  I hope everyone who had boats at any of the Tommy's locations were able to get them before they were locked!!  Apparently, new ownership is in the works, but how long that will take is anybody's guess.   

I imagine Malibu would still send them parts for warranty situations.

On 5/3/2024 at 9:50 AM, familyfun said:

As of this morning, the Lewisville location is staying open, and in fact I was told that the Fort Worth techs are transferring over.  This could obviously change at any time, so I imagine there is some risk.  And again, if they don't have the necessary parts in stock locally, I doubt they will be able to do the repair.

So to piggy-back on this, yes, the FW store contact numbers will go directly to Lewisville BUT they still can't order parts.  But, if the parts are there, they can work on boats.  I will say the guys are trying to help out as much as possible.  It sounded like the employees were in the dark as much as customers.  I hope everyone who had boats at any of the Tommy's locations were able to get them before they were locked!!  Apparently, new ownership is in the works, but how long that will take is anybody's guess.   

2 hours ago, justgary said:

Just a slight clarification here for the OP.  "By wire" is generally taken to mean electronically.  This boat definitely has mechanical linkages for throttle and shift, so it is not "by wire".

Oops, meant to say last year BEFORE shift by wire.  Definitely two cables on the '05.  '06 went to the electronic throttle control.