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I had a strange failure where the transmission and engine come together. The boat (2005 Response LXi) made a noise like something hitting a pully and then it started to make a screeching sound. The noise was coming from the starter area so I removed the starter and found a piece of wire in there that looked like a piece of heavy coat hanger. I took this piece of wire to the dealer and they said it was a failure of the dampening plate that resides between the trans and the flywheel. The boat is running fine with no vibration but he recommends changing it immediately. If the springs in the dampening plate come loose they can do more harm. I was also told the old design has the exposed springs while the new design has the springs enclosed. So now it's time to change out this part. I know I need to support the engine and separate the transmission. Has anyone had this problem and can anyone recommend any shortcuts or procedures that will make this replacement go easier? Thanks.

Some of you may have seen my other posts on this boat from hell. I'm a new boat owner and this first one is a 1996 sunsetter lx. I knew it had some issues, mainly bent prop shaft and rudder issue. When I back it into the water to test run the engine (which incidentally has water getting into the oil ?) I notice water seeping back out of the small louvered vent into the engine compartment which I think connects it to ducted air coming in from the observer seat area. I'm guessing this is a hollow stringer and I've heard that a cracked water box will leak into the stringer. Has anyone here repaired the water box ? I've also heard that a fiberglass repair is too rigid and will not flex enough and the the remedy is to grind out the waterbox and coat it complete with 3M 5200 because it will flex and is water tight. Any experts on the site ever made that repair or paid to have it done?

Does anyone know when they did away with the hydrophonic box on the response (closed bow) or response lx?

Can anyone advise me if my 2003 Wakesetter VLX VDrive has a Hydroponic Dampening System.