Unless you have inspection requirements, there should be no need to ever pull the plug, especially the transom plug. 

On 6/4/2024 at 1:01 PM, Moulton9 said:

There is a valve or T of some sort between the bag and hull but I haven’t investigated it much. I will take pictures and see what everyone thinks.

Ok, lets talk how it works.

Once the hard tank fills the in the back you have a big hose that starts filling the soft bag. If this is plugged the water will go upfront to the drain smaller hose and run out the side of the boat. (This drain hose has a check valve that doesn't let it go into the soft bag) (See pic)

Now this is the tricky part If you have the soft bag and the bottom hose not plugged it will fill the bag with water then it will go out the drain passing the check valve.

((((BUT if the check valve is stuck it could possibly put air in the bag))))

Also if you look at my pics you will see that the hard tank drain hose goes way up to help with hydrostatic pressure. 

Make sure your check valve isn't upside down also. See my pics

Check Valve

Y

Drain

Bag and over flow

On 6/3/2024 at 12:34 PM, shawndoggy said:

IIRC don't the 8.1s have a "taller" trans ratio (like 1.2:1 instead of 1.5:1)?  In that case I'd go with an agro 15" prop like the acme 2419.

this is correct, i have the 15"x12" (i think its the 2419) on my 247 8.1

Get four larger bolts and a big socket to use the v drive to get it off. Here is how I got mine off. 
 

@MattZ As Nick55 pointed out there were two Illusion towers in 2008 the X and XS and I assume you have the XS. Besides the shape the main difference with the racks is that the X tower racks through bolted on the tower while the XS has threaded inserts.

Years ago, I replaced my wake forks with some surf forks from Star One and reused the existing swivel base. Doing a google search it looks like Star One has changed names and now is Titan Wake but run by the same folks so you might want to reach out to them. I remember them being super helpful in getting me the correct forks.

Let me know if you have any questions on your new 2008 as I've made just about every mistake you can think of.