PDA

View Full Version : Reintroduction - Helix on its way to Colorado



jph3
08-15-2018, 07:18 PM
Quick history on me... Bought a boat when I was 14, and used to pay the upper classmen to haul me to the lake... bought a Ski Nautique in college and got the wakeboard team started at the school (using concrete and homer buckets to get a good wake:D). Spent my summers as a dock daddy on TableRock Lake in Branson... my wife and I lived in Maui and had a small runabout... so boating has always been our first go-to activity.

We have been in Colorado now for 15 years now, have 3 little girls all under 10... and they all love the water! Spend most of our time on Powell, and then Wolford Reservoir (in Kremmling CO) in the middle of the summer when it is warm enough for the kiddos.

Anyway, we are hopefully coming out of a bad luck streak. I bought an Epic 23V in April 2017 with a brand new 8.1L Merc. Day one, hour one, and about 3 minutes off the trailer... the motor had a real bad lope in it, so I haul it back to Texas for warranty work. Motor is blown. We miss the entire boating season last year. In November, a bad storm hits Lake Powell and takes down our Houseboat. Long story short, the Epic is STILL in Texas... and the Houseboat (shared ownership) did not have a bound insurance policy. This has been a battle of patience, savings, and ultimately now legal, which is never fun.

RIP Epic:
27511

RIP Houseboat:
27512

On to better things, we just bought a 2017 Helix last week and are excited to get it going up here in the mountains. It ships tomorrow, and comes in this weekend... I fly back on Monday and we will have it on the water Tuesday! So here's to the next round of adventures... looked long and hard at every brand out there, but this used Helix was definitely the best option for us. Have 1100 bags on the way... a new 2079 prop... and need to do the warranty transfer through Indmar. Will document our experience along the way... and any advice is always appreciated!

BigOrange
08-16-2018, 09:04 AM
Welcome to the forum and SC family! Great resources and info on here!

LAwake
08-17-2018, 01:44 PM
When and if you get ready to do some surfing, let me know and I'll give you some info on getting a great wave out of the Helix. I too have a 2017 Helix so it's been a process but I've finally got mine pretty dialed in wave wise.

yearround
08-20-2018, 12:23 AM
Welcome to Moomba, where in CO are you? in the mountains? We have not had the boat on wolford, green mountain a few times, we own a place in silverthone, but live in Aurora. would love to get on the Helix with you when you get it. we are looking to upgrade from the 08 LSV, but the house rule for the boat is it has to store in the garage.

jph3
08-20-2018, 02:19 AM
Welcome to Moomba, where in CO are you? in the mountains? We have not had the boat on wolford, green mountain a few times, we own a place in silverthone, but live in Aurora. would love to get on the Helix with you when you get it. we are looking to upgrade from the 08 LSV, but the house rule for the boat is it has to store in the garage.

We live in Edwards, but will be at wolford Tuesday-Wed this week, then back up there next week and through Labor Day. Then boat is headed to Powell for the rest of the season/winter. Let me know!

jph3
08-20-2018, 02:19 AM
When and if you get ready to do some surfing, let me know and I'll give you some info on getting a great wave out of the Helix. I too have a 2017 Helix so it's been a process but I've finally got mine pretty dialed in wave wise.

PM sent, thanks! Surfing/Wake foiling is 90% of our time, tubing the other 10% :)

yearround
08-20-2018, 02:07 PM
We live in Edwards, but will be at wolford Tuesday-Wed this week, then back up there next week and through Labor Day. Then boat is headed to Powell for the rest of the season/winter. Let me know!

we will be up labor day weekend, do not know the plans yet, will try to coord and see this ride. will be LP mid september for a fall week of fun. sent PM.

DFTR Josh
08-23-2018, 09:20 AM
Quick history on me... Bought a boat when I was 14, and used to pay the upper classmen to haul me to the lake... bought a Ski Nautique in college and got the wakeboard team started at the school (using concrete and homer buckets to get a good wake:D). Spent my summers as a dock daddy on TableRock Lake in Branson... my wife and I lived in Maui and had a small runabout... so boating has always been our first go-to activity.

We have been in Colorado now for 15 years now, have 3 little girls all under 10... and they all love the water! Spend most of our time on Powell, and then Wolford Reservoir (in Kremmling CO) in the middle of the summer when it is warm enough for the kiddos.

Anyway, we are hopefully coming out of a bad luck streak. I bought an Epic 23V in April 2017 with a brand new 8.1L Merc. Day one, hour one, and about 3 minutes off the trailer... the motor had a real bad lope in it, so I haul it back to Texas for warranty work. Motor is blown. We miss the entire boating season last year. In November, a bad storm hits Lake Powell and takes down our Houseboat. Long story short, the Epic is STILL in Texas... and the Houseboat (shared ownership) did not have a bound insurance policy. This has been a battle of patience, savings, and ultimately now legal, which is never fun.
On to better things, we just bought a 2017 Helix last week and are excited to get it going up here in the mountains. It ships tomorrow, and comes in this weekend... I fly back on Monday and we will have it on the water Tuesday! So here's to the next round of adventures... looked long and hard at every brand out there, but this used Helix was definitely the best option for us. Have 1100 bags on the way... a new 2079 prop... and need to do the warranty transfer through Indmar. Will document our experience along the way... and any advice is always appreciated!
I know what storm you're talking about in Powell last year, my buddies houseboat tipped over with the entire family on board. Just 2 days ago another CRAZY storm blew through with 60+ MPH winds and all hell broke loose it sounds like. I'm actually driving to Powell today to enjoy a week on the lake.
Contrats on the new Helix, that is really my favorite boat out of the line up. The new bags with the added prop you will have zero trouble trying to surf that little monster.

jph3
08-23-2018, 09:43 AM
I know what storm you're talking about in Powell last year, my buddies houseboat tipped over with the entire family on board. Just 2 days ago another CRAZY storm blew through with 60+ MPH winds and all hell broke loose it sounds like. I'm actually driving to Powell today to enjoy a week on the lake.
Contrats on the new Helix, that is really my favorite boat out of the line up. The new bags with the added prop you will have zero trouble trying to surf that little monster.

Yeah it was a really bad storm - 4 65’+ houseboats went down just in G dock at Halls... hope you guys get all the good weather! Say hi to Nick for me from Romoboco if you see him.

Got the boat in the water yesterday and I’m THOROUGHLY impressed. I’ve surfed behind most boats and the G23 is my favorite in regard to ease of use and the wave is tall.

But I have to say, I took LaWakes recommendations on setup (still have stock bags) and the wave was a blast! Surfed 3 different boards, got my oldest up on her board... I can’t wait to get back out there. One more work trip this weekend and then I’m hitting the water for 10 days before the kids go back to school.

27571 And yes, I have some Rev 10’s for sale :)

27572

DFTR Josh
08-23-2018, 09:46 AM
Yeah it was a bad, hope you guys get all the good weather! Say hi to Nick for me from Romoboco if you see him.
Sounds like Nick is already there and I will be meeting them later today after a 6 hour drive. You have a shot of the boat on the water?

Dtbradly
08-28-2018, 09:30 AM
i saw that boat on onlyinboards. that stereo must be insane.

jph3
08-28-2018, 11:21 AM
i saw that boat on onlyinboards. that stereo must be insane.

Yes it is nuts... 8 Rev10's, 2 subs, 4 amps, 4 batteries. Day one I relocated all of the equipment to fit under the console (both port and starboard), so I gained back all of the storage space under the seats. I thought I would need to just sell it all at first, but it turned out pretty clean. Still a little wiring to clean up, but overall, the system is ridiculous.

27585

jph3
08-30-2018, 01:08 AM
Sounds like Nick is already there and I will be meeting them later today after a 6 hour drive. You have a shot of the boat on the water?

I need to get some drone shots of it this weekend.

27591

jph3
09-06-2018, 11:34 PM
People have been asking about the stock wave. I think it’s great. Settings are SUPER important, so I’d recommend the other posts on the Helix setup by LAWake.

Of course, you always want more... so I’m adding the 1100’s tomorrow and going to a Acme 2079 since I’m going to reuse my stock bags as well :)
27646

27647

LAwake
09-07-2018, 11:08 AM
People have been asking about the stock wave. I think it’s great. Settings are SUPER important, so I’d recommend the other posts on the Helix setup by LAWake.

Of course, you always want more... so I’m adding the 1100’s tomorrow and going to a Acme 2079 since I’m going to reuse my stock bags as well :)
27646

27647

How's it going my friend? I see you got it and had a chance to get out on the water some.

jph3
09-08-2018, 12:18 AM
How's it going my friend? I see you got it and had a chance to get out on the water some.

I’ve had a few hiccups inherited (prop is damaged, radio head unit froze up, some broken parts, missing parts), but it’s all good. Used boat :)

I think the wave is legit... I am looking forward to a long Powell trip next week with uograded bags and a new prop. I’ve messed around a bit with the settings, but your recommendations were 100% spot on... I just went right back to them, and haven’t touched them since.

I guess another bummer now that I think of it is the warranty transfer... $1800? Have a feeling there some fluff in there.

LAwake
09-08-2018, 01:07 AM
I’ve had a few hiccups inherited (prop is damaged, radio head unit froze up, some broken parts, missing parts), but it’s all good. Used boat :)

I think the wave is legit... I am looking forward to a long Powell trip next week with uograded bags and a new prop. I’ve messed around a bit with the settings, but your recommendations were 100% spot on... I just went right back to them, and haven’t touched them since.

I guess another bummer now that I think of it is the warranty transfer... $1800? Have a feeling there some fluff in there.

Glad you got some of the "bugs" worked out. Hopefully, the Powell trip will go smooth. Enjoy it.

Dtbradly
09-10-2018, 09:59 AM
I’ve had a few hiccups inherited (prop is damaged, radio head unit froze up, some broken parts, missing parts), but it’s all good. Used boat :)

I think the wave is legit... I am looking forward to a long Powell trip next week with uograded bags and a new prop. I’ve messed around a bit with the settings, but your recommendations were 100% spot on... I just went right back to them, and haven’t touched them since.

I guess another bummer now that I think of it is the warranty transfer... $1800? Have a feeling there some fluff in there.




$1800???? i think mine was a hair over $600

jph3
09-10-2018, 05:01 PM
Yeah, they said $600 for indmar and one hour of labor. Then $295 for Skiers Choice... and the rest was all shop labor for the paperwork? Something seems off... I am going to transfer Indmar tomorrow at another shop.

Dtbradly
09-12-2018, 09:52 AM
Yeah, they said $600 for indmar and one hour of labor. Then $295 for Skiers Choice... and the rest was all shop labor for the paperwork? Something seems off... I am going to transfer Indmar tomorrow at another shop.

yeah indmar is WELL worth it for the next 3 years. the Skiers Choice one is good for parts for another year i suppose. so 1 replaced part could easily surpass that. i may have gotten "free" labor since i bought the boat from the dealer doing the transfer

jph3
01-10-2019, 04:34 PM
Looking to make a couple changes... any feedback on adding a swing away tongue (https://www.wholesalemarine.com/fulton-3-x-5-fold-away-hinge-kit.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIopKsyYfk3wIV0LfACh2GAQn nEAQYBSABEgK9wPD_BwE) to the trailer?

And I am looking for a cheap wheel as a boat spare to the Boatmate trailer... doesnt need to match the stock wheels. Let me know if you have a good source?

I am changing my stereo up, debadging the boat and possibly adding a wrap to part of it... will post some pics of the progress.

LAwake
01-10-2019, 04:42 PM
jph3, how's it been going man? You ever upgrade any of your ballasts bag? How's your wave looking? Those settings still work well for you last season?

jph3
01-10-2019, 05:34 PM
YES... upgraded the bags, which then led to an upgraded prop again (since I am at 8k feet)... wave is awesome! Even had a buddy come over from his G23 and he was loving it... says he liked it better than his :-D. We were fully loaded, I added 1k of lead that day too, so we were slammed. Will post up some pics.

BTW, your recommendations on settings were spot on. Played with the Starboard side once, but otherwise set and forget. I have it evenly loaded, so I can go from side to side if I time it right.

LAwake
01-12-2019, 10:56 AM
YES... upgraded the bags, which then led to an upgraded prop again (since I am at 8k feet)... wave is awesome! Even had a buddy come over from his G23 and he was loving it... says he liked it better than his :-D. We were fully loaded, I added 1k of lead that day too, so we were slammed. Will post up some pics.

BTW, your recommendations on settings were spot on. Played with the Starboard side once, but otherwise set and forget. I have it evenly loaded, so I can go from side to side if I time it right.
Great to hear that my friend and glad I was able to help. Post those pictures when you get some free time. I love seeing other Helix's in action.