Noob question of the day

[Ateam]

I have a 2006 Vride (bought about 10hrs ago)

Two quick questions:

1) I am unable to raise the ski pylon - I watched the previous owner demo it, but I obviously zoned out because I can't get it to lift into position.

2) If you are leaving your boat in an uncovered slip for a few days how do you cover your boat? I have the cover for when on a trailer but curious as to what to use in water.

Thanks so much for any advice.

[malibudreaming]

Don't own a malibu but my boat has a custom fitted snap on bow cover as well as a cockpit cover. Lots of guys don't like all the "snaps" mounted on their boats, but you should definitely cover with something when it is sitting in a slip. If not make sure your battery is in good shape as well as your bilge pump, a good down pour can fill your boat up pretty fast.

[Ateam]

Don't own a malibu but my boat has a custom fitted snap on bow cover as well as a cockpit cover. Lots of guys don't like all the "snaps" mounted on their boats, but you should definitely cover with something when it is sitting in a slip. If not make sure your battery is in good shape as well as your bilge pump, a good down pour can fill your boat up pretty fast.

Great point regarding rain. Tonight I used, what I assume is the towing cover, as there are no "snaps" on the boat. It is nice looking, says Malibu and all, but I realized the strapping mechanism is made to go under the boat - that's why I assume it is really for towing.

[Eric LX]

If the cover with the straps is like mine, it is a storage cover that you would use for basic "on trailer" storage. It fits with the straps going around the trailer rails. However, while it gives good coverage, it will blow around when the boat is being towed and can cause hazing and scratches to the gel coat on your boat. I am having a custom mooring/towing conver made for ours that will be alot like the Evolution covers and will be very tight when either docked or being pulled behind the tow vehicle.

Sorry I can't help with the pylon question.

[Bill_AirJunky]

I have a Rankin cover, and it doesn't have any straps that attach to the trailer or go under the hull. Just the drawstring that goes all the way around, just below the rub rail. Plus the 5 straps across the transom.

No matter if the boat is on the trailer or on the water, I uncover the boat by starting at the swimstep & rolling it forward ending in the bow, then folding it in on each end. Then I either stuff the cover in the spotters seat, leave it in the bow, or in the truck. Either way I can roll/unroll the cover & hook/unhook the drawstring from around the tower while inside the boat. It's not terribly easy & is a bit of a stretch, but it works. After you've done it a few times, it only takes 3 or 4 minutes.

When I had the kind of cover that has the straps that go to the trailer or under the hull, and I was keeping the boat on the water, then I usually rolled them up & zip tied them up on the side. I've seen guys use weights to hold the cover down & tight(like milk jugs full of sand), but I always built a simple PVC structure underneath & then tightened up the drawstring under the rub rail. Getting the PVC designed underneath was always interesting to keep it simple & make it work.

I've had the snap covers & hated the snaps. After the snap holes in my MC started cracking I swore I would never have another boat with snaps in it. And I've walked away from a couple of deals since.

Hope that helps. Good luck & welcome to the addiction!

Edited July 15, 2010 by Bill_AirJunky

[Chia]

I have a 2006 Vride (bought about 10hrs ago)

Two quick questions:

1) I am unable to raise the ski pylon - I watched the previous owner demo it, but I obviously zoned out because I can't get it to lift into position.

2) If you are leaving your boat in an uncovered slip for a few days how do you cover your boat? I have the cover for when on a trailer but curious as to what to use in water.

Thanks so much for any advice.

the pylon should lift turn and drop into the locked position.

[Rover1]

Congrats on the new investment, lift all the way up & turn to the left...not the top knob but the shaft.

[Ateam]

Thanks for all the info - some great advice! I will give it a shot. Look forward to more conversations with the Malibu Crew.

[Sixball]

Nothing more to add but

[wakeboy]

Welcome, if you can't lift up your pylon then something is wrong. However, if you are lifting it up and it is just going back down then all you need to do is lift it up, grab the pole and twist it (it will only twist to one side) and then once it won't twist anymore (it is only about a 1/4 of a turn) drop it down. It will sit locked in the raised position. Lift it up again and twist in the oppostite direction and drop it and it will now be back in the down position.

[Ateam]

Welcome, if you can't lift up your pylon then something is wrong. However, if you are lifting it up and it is just going back down then all you need to do is lift it up, grab the pole and twist it (it will only twist to one side) and then once it won't twist anymore (it is only about a 1/4 of a turn) drop it down. It will sit locked in the raised position. Lift it up again and twist in the oppostite direction and drop it and it will now be back in the down position.

@Wakeboy - thanks! Going to guve it another shot this weekend.

Also I looked at the evolution covers an they look pretty sweet.

[shawndoggy]

@Wakeboy - thanks! Going to guve it another shot this weekend.

Also I looked at the evolution covers an they look pretty sweet.

I've got a cheapie towing cover for sale here: http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/topic/27194-cover-for-vride-iride-w-illusion-x/

And the evolutions ARE sweet. That's why I'm selling the cheapie.