VLX 03 power question!!! struggle pulling 250lb guy?

HNRYS69 · Newbie Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 10 City: Reno NV

Heres the deal....

My buds just got a new 03 VLX wakesetter. The dealership in town sucks major ace... We took the boat out on the first day and the thing wouldnt run past idle. They get told by the dealership that "its a boat, they break" thats great and all but 45k for the top of the line doesnt break this fast. They say it was an error code in the computer that wouldnt let it run over idle because it thought it was overheating... They clear the code and take it to the lake.. Nothing. They replace the computer in it... Works for a bit then dies.... Then they change the full pump sensor and all is well again. (Customer service was the worst you could ever see after buying something BRAND NEW!!!)

So we go out for the first day (again). Boat runs great and all. We fill the sacks and drop the wedge (6 people on board, 4 dudes 2 chicks) so its not super weighted down other than the stock options..

Runs decent getting the 1st couple guys up and going but requires more throttle then last years boat (99 Xstar). So its my turn, I get my fat ass out in the water and say hit it.... Chug chug chug.... 2 min later the boat planes and I can ride. This was full gas by the driver... So Im like WTF this thing is a pig... We pull the wedge back up. Same thing, still struggles to get me out of the water. People in the boat have to run to the front so the boat can finally plane out.

So I pull out the wake skate. I about drown trying to get up and cant. Its like getting up on a single ski for the first time behind a 4cyl I/O... The 99 Xstar would only need about half throttle and it would rip even my ass out of the water like I was 100lb chick.

So what gives here malibu peeps?? Is this the biggest lemon of a boat or what?? Should we have gone with a Correct Craft to recieve some customer service?? They dont want to take it in because of the service they get from the Malibu dealership.

Thanks from the n00b~

Andy in Reno, NV

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Is the engine RPM high when the boat is trying to plane? If the engine RPM is high than the prop is spinning, a smaller pitch prop would help. Also, if a boat is weighted weird it will have a hard time getting on plane no matter what.

Look at the RPM, if the RPM goes up than the problem isn't lack of power.

Nick
________
MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROW

Tim Krasin · Outlaw Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 104 City: Houston, TX

My buddy has an '01 Wakesetter with the Monsoon and it's never had a problem pulling anyone out of the water. We had a full boat, filled MLS, and pulled two boarders up (~325+ lbs.) and I didn't have to give it near full throttle. Sounds like something is up with the engine - definitely don't let them say it's normal until you're satisfied. Go drive another Wakesetter from '03 with the same engine and see what it feels like.

wakeboarder · Addict Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 702

if you have had all those problems when it was new. there might be somthing else wrong. you might have gotten a defect

Seth Martin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 891 City: Orlando

Also check this with Perfect Pass on and off.

If it has Perfect Pass

Shawn Madison · Posted: May 28, 2003 7:14 am Post subject:

I'm 225 and it doesn't phase at all loaded down!

Good idea - Seth Martin!

HNRYS69 · Newbie Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 10 City: Reno NV

Partyb · Posted: May 28, 2003 11:20 am Post subject:

Your boat, any modern inboard towboat, should be able to pull a horse out of the water. That is what they are designed to do. Sounds to me that you still have a gas getting to the engine problem. Your boat needs to go back to the dealer. This should teach everyone hear, including me, that the quality of the dealer is a very important decision in buying a new towboat. Many of the top boats are very comparable and you can not go wrong with any of them, thereafter, pick the best dealer. It can make a huge difference in your enjoyement.

WakeMan · Newbie Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 22

Well said PartyB

Troy · Criminal Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 City: Nor Cal

If your dealership is that bad why don't you make an appointment with another dealer. I see you are in Reno, call up the dealership in Sacramento and see if they can help you out. I'm sure you would get a better response than "its a boat, they break."

Cruel World · Criminal Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 55 City: Waterford, MI

If it has Perfect Pass, make sure the throttle line is tight. Look in the engine compartment for a big black knob. There should be a sticker for tightening instructions.

When you turn on the boat it should automatically tighten, but if the driver is playing with the throttle it will slacken up and cause some problems like you described, but I don't think it would be as bad as your saying.

Lyte Skin · Outlaw Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 210 City: San Angelo, TX

i am not sure if a boat is like a car in this case, but in TX and many other states if you are not satisfied with your purchase within a certain time limit you can return the vehicle if you like.
In TX we have a 3 day window but in AZ i think its a week.
not for sure but i would check into it if you have any doubts about your purchase.

X-Star · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 253

That sucks man. Sorry to here about that. To me it sounds like your throtle cable. I have a 2002 X-Star and had a slightly similar problem. I once had a buddy drive my boat and forgot to engage the perfect pass before I got in the water. I told my buddy to engage it for me and when he did, he turned it on out of nuetral. (While he was coasting) What happened was that the perfect pass did something like adjust the throtle cable to what the perfect pass thought was the new nuetral possition. He gave it gas and the boat was extreamly sluggish until I had him stop the boat and reset the perfect pass. Once he engaged Perfect Pass while in nuetral, Perfect pass made the necessary adjustment to the throtle cable and all was fine.

You problem might not be as simple to fix, but it sounds to me like you might have a throtle cable adjestment issue or a poorly installed Perfect Pass.

JD · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 320 City: Bellingham

I agree with X-Star it sounds like someone turned on the Perfect Pass while not in neutral causing the perfect pass servo's to put slack in the throttle cables. Cruel World has the fix for you just retighten the black knob on the unit over the engine. Your friend can just refer to the Perfect Pass instructions that should have come with his boat if this is confusing.

Parks138 · Criminal Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 94 City: Wake Forest

That is a big guy to be riding on a wakeboard all i can say about is that sucks man i would be pissed if my malibu was doing anything like that

MackDaddyWake1 · Posted: May 29, 2003 5:38 am Post subject:

I have an 03 with the Monsoon 335. When I brought it home, the dealer had forgot to do something with the PP, and it bogged really bad. Not quite as bad as you are explaining, but still a headache.
I got it fixed, runs like a horse. I have all of the ballast full, 600lbs of lead, and generally 4-5 peeps in there at all times. No problems whatsoever. Other than breaking the cables on my boat lift.... I guess those things have a weight limit..

Shawn Madison · Posted: May 29, 2003 6:44 am Post subject:

Maybe the phased warmup sensor?

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

I ride behind seriously weighted VLX's all of the time. They never seem to have a problem coming out of the hole. I just got an 03 VLX 3 weeks ago, and I honestly cant tell the difference between the 335 from this year, and the 325 from last years...neither have had problems like you are describing...

Lyte Skin · Outlaw Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 210 City: San Angelo, TX

Wake upPp · Soul Rider Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 338 City: NOR-CAL

i ride behind an 02 vlx with the wedge and an additional 1500 lbs. of ballast and it handles the weight like it's not even there. we did however have a problem with the Perfect Pass in the beginning also. the servo got out of time somehow. we messed with it and got it re-calibrated and then it was fine. it would not even go over 25 mph. and acted like it had no power until we figured out what was going on. great boat tho. awesome wake when weighted right.