So to recap....

[toyotafreak]

Wazzup over the past six months?

You had me frothing over the idea that there might be hard tanks in every S22. Cal's back (in a Chevy), Pete's switched to an S, the UK guys are up & running, TRD took all the v-drives, the TMS parts are on sale and still big duckets, but best of all, you guys are still going strong!

Pete, can you spare a few comparisons between the E and SX? Are you running Bearing Buddies on your new trailer?

Generally, how are the boats holding up and how are resale values doing?

How bad is it to struggle to get 50 hours a year in SoCal?


Hope all is well with you all.

[cyclone]

DEREK!

Where you been? "bout time you checked back in! I know you would have been going nuts about the possible tanks in S22's, and the info provided about the factory SX systems.

I really like the SX so far, it is a very different boat but I am starting to get used to it. It handles totally differently than my E22, weighted and unweighted. It is more agile than I would have suspected, and drives really well with the ballast full.

The storage situation is wierd. There is more storage but there's not a lot of accessible, useful storage. Under the big side seat is about it, so everything goes there. The cooler is almost useless without a hinged cushion, so I filled it with lead:)) You are totally right about the boats needing more weight up front to trim properly, esp. with ballast full and everyone sitting in back.

Seating in the V drives is awesome, so much space, big swimpad, etc. I had people out on both boats this year, they all prefer the SX.

As for the wake, I'm just starting getting it loaded up enough to get a good wake. I had full ballast and 9 people on board the other day, it wasn't even crowded on the boat and the wake was incredible. It has more of a lip than the E22. It was very large, I may have pics of it. It is not cupped like the E22 wake, but is very large and consistent. It is very firm, the width is about the same as my E22 at the same line length.

Gas useage is not drastically different than the Ddrives, still barely uses any. It is nice to have the big gas tank, fewer trips to the pump.

Anyway, welcome back. PM me your cel number, I owe you a phone call.

[wakejunky]

So what's the deal with TRD taking v-drives? I cant seem to find a solid post about it anywhere. Any info would be appreciated.

[Bitzco]

So Fest is off at Wakeboard camp with Shawn Murray and Travis Moi (sp). Travis was part of the team that helped develop the Toys. He told Fest yesterday that the vdrives were not made to really be wakeboard boats but mulisport ones. It just turned out that ballasted they throw a pretty dang diddily ang good wake. Perhaps Fest, the Malibu traitor, will enlighten us more when he gets back. He's learning inverts this week from the best. He said he's learning so much that he told Travis he's been riding with the wrong guys. He means me, oh and you too Javman.

[Bitzco]

Pete,

You will find that the SX doesn't get the same mileage. It is still good but the difference in the 1.2 vs 1.4 ratio matters. Fest always got better mileage in his S than I did in my SX.

[javman]

Now I am going to get all nervous next time I go out with Festivus.  Last Week when we went out it was so dang windy and wavy that I don't even think I went outside the wake.
Toasty 54 degree water.  Hey about 3 degrees warmer than the week before.

My old S was definitely fuel thrifty.  The new BU sucks down about a third more Fuel.
My partner still has the S and I know that he hasn't had the chance to pull it out of storage.
He had a ton of Drive train issues last year with the Shaft and such.  I think he finally ended up having a new shaft put in again.  That's two in 8 months.  One time over the fourth it actually sheared off all the coupling bolts. 

Gotta Hate those Shaft issues............................................................

[epicfire]

Shaft issues ?!!? Drive train issues ?!!? Please elaborate.

[javman]

Okay here's a quick synopsis. 
Fall 05 Lake powell + underwater invisible rock = smashed prop, missing rudder (almost) and bent drive shaft.
New Stuff installed and boat ran fine for the rest of the fall.
Spring 06- holiday weekend.  Boat loses power and the diagnosis was a lost Bolt that holds the Prop shaft to the transmission coupler.
A few weeks after that the prop shaft completely sheared off the coupler to transmission bolts.
after about 10 hours in the shop they determined the new prop shaft was bent. 
I sort of remember shop banter about how far out of whack the engine and transmission were.
Ordered a new one and put it on.
So far seems to be doing ok.  Though no major boating trips to test it.

[cyclone]

Hitting that rock knocked sheot sideways. I know, thank you Captain Obvious!
A Boo would be just as screwed if you did the same to it. I need to dig up that really excellent doc I found on shaft alignment, you can do it yourself if you have basic tools and some time on your hands.

[phenom_1819]

Hi Derek!  Yes, I went Chevy.  It was needed because I have to tow at least an hour up and over hills every time I use the boat -- as well as the 4runner did, it was time.  I love the Avalanche, except quality-wise it is nothing close to anything Toyota makes.  The thing makes weird noises constantly, and has already eaten up about $2k at the shop, and I've had it 9 months.  The weirdest noise is from the exhaust (I'm guessing it's the catalytic converter? A weird grind/humming sound at about 1200 rpms).  The fuel mileage has dropped a full mile per gallon since I bought it 20k miles ago (which I think may be related to the exhaust noise...but what do I know).  I would find out what's wrong, but I don't want to know until I get a few other loose ends tied up. 

Regardless, I knew better than to buy a Chevy at 60k...

[cyclone]

We should bug Derek until he attends the west coast thang with us. I got his plane ticket.

[toyotafreak]

Sorry, not up to speed on the roundup. But hey, I've got a ticket or two as well. And a gut. But hey, bought a Flame with the hinge tech Torqs last year so as to not be quite so ghetto (actually it was so my guests would have something they could fit into).

Cal, two words for you: Tundra 381. (horsepower, that is). 400 ft-lbs I believe. And you'd need a stick to beat the women away with. Hey, anything you buy's gonna make noises, even our beloved Sequoia has some issues (drive indicator light is out, fuel gauge craps on occasion, sunroof squeaks, garage door opener lights are intermittent).

Pete, I love my ice chest. Had to remove the gas tank back in '03 to install a drain in the ice chest, but dang, it's within reach of the driver seat and keeps a lot of drinks really cold all day. On one hand I agree about the storage thing, but in a way it's kinda okay. My biggest complaint is the v-drive cover latch system. Somebody's going to throw their back out on that one day.

Here's how we roll: Couple of those cool dock lines and some wipies and trash bags in seatback net. - Lines and shoes go in the lockable cubby that has the hatch latch in it. - Various first aid kits, etc. in stbd aft cushion. - Extra ice chest, spare prop kit, tool box, and four flat fenders in stbd v-drive locker. - Soft ice chest for lunch and snacks, floaty toys, sun shades, football, masks, chick bags, etc. in port v-drive locker. - Extra towels under port aft cushion. - Purses, clothes, other required goodies under port cushion. - Ice chest. - In walkway cubby, extra life jackets, fat sacs, pumps, big spotlight, whatever other food, purses, bags etc. - Port bow cushion is empty for guests to have all to themselves (although everybody uses the aft side cushion). - Center cushion has couple hundred pounds of metal. - Stbd bow cushion has box anchor with line, beach stake with line, and extra line. - Helm holds my fat a$$. - Trunk has usually two boards, and I have one above the driver.

Got a lot of reading to do around here!

[krejciman]

Derek,

You thinking about getting the new Sequoia?

[toyotafreak]

I'm broke, broke, broke, flat broke. Wife's got the 03 Sequoia, btu I'm still running the 95 pickup everyday.

Have you guys redone the Sequoia on the new Tundra chassis already? That should be pretty cool.

[krejciman]

They should be out in December....  with all the Tundra big stuff on them.