Modernizing our 2003 Malibu ski boat!

Our Malibu feels so loved!!!
The HydroPhase RideSteady unit is completely killer!
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•Flying Sparks Garage
•Emily Williams Reeves

[@douglasarmstrong2748]

That cruise control is really cool...I wish they had that when we had our ski boat. Fun episode with baby Garfield. Thanks for taking us along.

[@VikingShipExplorer]

Greasing the wheel bearings brought back a great memory for me that I have to share with you guys. When my Family was young my oldest Daughter who was around 9 or 10 years old came outside to see what I was up to (AKA Mother's little spy). I was just starting to remove the wheels from our 28 foot tandem axle camper. My Daughter sat down beside me to watch and asked if she could help. Naturally I said yes and told her to hold out her hand and proceeded to put a large tablespoon of high speed green axle grease in it. She giggled and asked now what. So i did the same and then handed her a bearing and I said watch how I do it and you do the same as me. Well all was going great. We got all the bearings back in and the wheels on when she jumped up and said I have to use the bathroom and took off for the front door of the house. A short time later she came out the back door and that was when I heard my GF yelling my name...MY Full NAME!!! My Daughter looked at me and said oh oh you're in trouble. I said what did I do??? Well apparently there was green grease smears all through the house from the front door to the bathroom. You all know what happened next, but at least on a happy note my Daughter learned how to change a tire, grease bearings and how to use a torque wrench. Oh yea, I also have an outside clean up station now...lol. Love your videos and any content is great content. See you in the next one. Cheers.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

@@VikingShipExplorer that’s a memory you’ll never loose!!! 😂😂😂🙏🏽

[@KoolBeans426]

I will never forget a question my daughter asked me. "Dad, what is peripheral vision?" Our daughters are our FUTUREI I love my Shelby! 🙈🙉🙊😎

[@wwm0611]

Glad I am not the only one who grabs the wrong bolts/nuts or gets the wrong wood no matter how many times I measure. Love how honest these videos are!

[@dentonjamessplace4754]

Happy humpday Emily and Aaron. Have a great vacation. Later Denton ✌💚🤓

[@derekwalters6132]

When Aaron first mentioned cruise control for the ski boat I had to check that you didn’t film this on April 1st and had it sitting in the can till now. After seeing it in use though I thought how freaking cool is that. Totally awesome and Aaron’s right you lend someone your boat and you wonder how they’re treating your baby, I’ve thrashed on my boat but then again I’ll be the one repairing it. So I’m leery as well.

[@randyb-rl7cc]

What A Concept! You Two Go Have Fun And We Watch, And Sponsors Pay You!!!! Please Keep It Up!

[@vxpenfold]

Boat content + kitty = awesome episode lol

[@bobbolieu9013]

Love you both. You two are awesome to spend time with. May you all have a great time on vacation.

[@MrYeti111]

I love watching you all. team up and get-r-done ! I try not to miss a single episode.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

@@MrYeti111 we sure appreciate you!!!

[@MikeBevens]

Aaron, you’re a boss. You will try/do anything. Reason I like y’all s channel.

[@thomaswaldorf9141]

I worked for coffee trailers in the late 70's and early 80's . We built and serviced stock trailers and flatbeds. Our way of packing bearings was to push grease from the large side of bearing and a large dolup of grease in the hub. These trailers would be gone for years then come back for service. The ranchers pulled them all over NEW Mexico on washboard roads very seldom ever had a bearing failure.

[@billmitchell2932]

I agree with packing the bearings from the back side, it gives you more area to compress in the grease, I simply put a little in one palm, and slap the back of the bearing against the palm until I see grease come out the small side.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Yay, boat content! Can’t wait to see the big boat back on the water.

[@j2kinflarc768]

I am so not a fan of boats,but I’m glad I have some friends that are willing to share their experiences with me,occasionally I suck it up and tag along. I’m enjoying the “new” flying sparks garage. I’ve been around for awhile and I definitely noticed the shift after your life challenges. The vibe is so laid back, yet still some thrashing when life allows. Like I said not really into boats, but this just feels like hanging out with some friends watching what they want to do to make their and their family’s like a little better. Just wish I was their to help Be safe out on the water

[@flyingsparksgarage]

We sure appreciate you being here ❤️❤️❤️

[@martinnicholas9770]

I'm a one one boat man. If one not going fix it .Then get that other one sorted. Fish for tea and a nice car to drive. And maybe RACE.

[@martinnicholas9770]

I mean one car one boat.

[@jaredcarpenter323]

Ridesteady is legit! I installed it on my twin engine Yamaha. One of the best upgrades I made on that boat. Made any watersport so much easier and manageable. I recommend it to everyone I can. Justin (owner) is a great dude!

[@jaredcarpenter323]

Install is even easier on a boat with a throttle position sensor. It's all plug and play vs. having to install a servo and linkage. Also synchronizes RPM's on twin engine units.

[@davidwatson1460]

Hope you guys have a great vacation.

[@AtlantaToomeys]

I’ve been watching you guys for quite a while now. It always amazes me that I am mesmerized watching someone work on a car or a boat, but here I am, an hour later happy for your success. Keep up the great work, and have a awesome time using that new cruise control on your vacation!

[@avflyguy]

While you guys are making the Malibu lakeworthy for another season one tip I'l like to pass on which I learned the hard way. Keep a spare water pump impeller in the boat. Used Vaseline and kept in a baggy. 10 min change out. Sold my Malibu with the Monsoon V-8 engine, electronic ignition a few years back. Took my kids to the local lake very frequently for wakeboarding. They (and I) loved that boat. Another mod was putting in a shower at the back. Tapped into a hot water line and a cold line. Got a 12v pump and mounted at the rear. Cheap shower valve and 10 ft of waterline with sprayhead on the end.. One of the best mods I did to it. Great when the water starts cooling off. Nice warm shower or cool for those baking inside the boat. Keep the videos coming. Love your channel.

[@doughamm5590]

Love the new tech for boats. I miss my dad's old boat. He had a buelerturbocraft I believe that's how it was spelt. Had a '62 Ford police interceptor and inboard jet persay. Loved it

[@JUNKEdDudek]

SWEET! I love the mods you did to the Malibu! You guys are amazing! Keep it up!

[@jenbeckman6318]

You guys are the best. I love how you explain everything. It gives us novices a hope that we can conquer some of the "things"

[@JeffFechner]

Beautiful Malibu! I love the cruise control addition! Great episode!

[@VWJawbreaker]

FYI, the PVC bunk slides are so darn nice. Added those to my bot trailer and the boat slides off so much easier. Plus when I replaced the bunks, I painted the wood black and didn’t have to use carpet.

[@chrisprieur270]

I just sprayed my carpet with ceramic wax and it lasts for months of weekly trips. Also added a Ramp N Clamp to really make solo loading and unloading a breeze. The problem I have with my rig (Xpress H18) is when the trailer is in the water where it needs to be to not load crooked my 115 won't push the boat up thanks to friction. Slick bunks makes me look way better than I actually am, lol.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

Nice product. My grandson is working on an old boat and I will mention this to him.

[@StephenKlena]

Totally enjoyed the episode ! Very informative. Thank you 👍

[@JohnWilson-ql8ks]

great video, and now cruise control, WOW..

[@markogronfors3204]

Finally something nice to watch , although it's always fun with you guys !

[@MODVP22]

Love this one! I’ve rebuilt probably a dozen boat trailers in my life-there’s tons of room for improvement on them. At least you have a Dorsey to start with.

[@jeremyarchuleta7731]

Love the videos the kids and I love watching keep up the great work guys

[@jeremyarchuleta7731]

My kids say hi to you guys

[@jb158t]

Great video! And bless you! Thanks for not editing things like that out. Keeps it real 😉

[@JUNKEdDudek]

I liked it so much I had to watch it again!

[@flyingsparksgarage]

@@JUNKEdDudek we love this 😂💪🏽

[@rdyardie]

You can adjust the camber by putting a block under one axle at a time. That way you can compare the camber to the other axle. (Put the block under the middle of the axle where you need the camber increased.) You need some weight under the axle so your boat might have to be on the trailer. You might have to bounce the boat a little because this is not an exact science and you do not want to bend the axle too much. We did this on a friend's 5th wheel trailer. He had hauled a bunch of old books and he took the camber out of one axle by driving on a terrible road. It took a few friends but we put the camber back in the axle that needed it.

[@drivingthefight8078]

I run bearing buddies on all three of my trailers… an open flatbed, and two enclosed…. Have had them o every trailer I’ve ever own … no exceptions

[@mausball]

For the oil gauges, I'd strongly recommend putting a flex line in place of the block nipple. Cantilevering that weight will cause the fittings to stress crack over time, and when they break off....yeah, that will be bad.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

@@mausball great suggestion!

[@jangrahame4891]

Love watching your prep for trip vids! Gives me an idea for my own check list to-dos.

[@scottleininger6201]

That looks like an Awesome system 🤠🤠🤠🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@taxxin]

glad to see your oil pressure is just fine!

[@jhaedtler]

Boat speedometer? Use an airspeed indicator! And compensate just like in a plane for upwind and down wind!Thanks for the videos!

[@zymmer4]

We saw you, Emily, do a KICK..over your head in a video..and you Snapped that kick..It was awsome !! You could do damage, as you said..if the need occurred. If push came to shove..whoever was with you would be fine. It is very good that you know that..your training is showing positive results.

[@patdghop]

We would love to see you guys skiing and wake boarding

[@stymiesnerdly771]

One quick tip for Aaron, @34:29 one trick I’ve picked up is that using a rubber spatula/scraper from the kitchen is a great tool for getting behind interior trim panels without using anything metal, such as a screwdriver, to pry out stubborn panels. Yes, they make trim tools, but sometimes you need more flexibility like a rubber kitchen tool can provide. 👍

[@longspr1]

OUTSTANDING 💯

[@Iambigus]

Measure the distance from the centre of the hitch to the same point on each side of the front axle. If the distance is the same, you can measure the centre front axle to centre rear axle. Move axle if needed.

[@lesliebarnett-tx3jf]

I love watching you two from new Zealand great job

[@bobbolieu9013]

I love watching you two work on things, and it doesn't matter what things are. I remember a time that I was packing the front bearings on my brother's '63 Mercury Comet that I was keeping for him while he was in Germany. She got to be a great helper. She really liked worked on my 4x4 '78 F250 because she could almost walk around under the truck. Funny thing is that she has shown her husband about doing maintenance on their vehicles. Now the whole family works on things.

[@fltmedic469]

Love your videos! Shoot a laser across the centerline of the axle and check spindles for square

[@johnmedici6655]

You two make working on your projects look so easy! I loved this video working on the boat because it didn't involve cars this time, plus I loved the extra long video!

[@hughrs]

Last but definitely not least.... it's easy for people to sit back and pick apart what we do, if a customer does it to me I nicely pass them my tools and say " would you like to do it ? " 😂.... they usually just say sorry no and walk away lol

[@ivisonr]

❤u guys and I still ❤my jeep.

[@fendert1384]

Recently bought a new boat trailer. The trailer has "Vault" HLS bearing buddies,which are oil-bath similar to what tractor trailers use. First I've heard of these and hoping they hold up .

[@realslacker6110]

The interior of your boat really does look amazing!

[@somguy2u]

I actually recently bought a 21 xti as well and have been restoring it. Weirdly rare boat 🙂

[@spikestubbs210]

Sweet upgrade.

[@scottleininger6201]

Bless You Emily 🤠

[@jamesreardon8585]

I actually set up my spare wheel like you but mounted it on a spare spindle and bearing set up so you are ready for any problem, also makes the trailer towable off the ball for shallow water recoveries. ie disconnect trailer and attach a strap to get out of a pickle

[@waynejennison5290]

Enjoy your trip and family time guys, you deserve some down time.

[@bobbolieu9013]

Bahaha, I love your wave sound effects Emily. That was funny.

[@melvinrawlings1457]

Great content as usual. I just love that interior and the color scheme of yalls boat. Anyways keep up the great content. And much love to ya guys from Maryland❤❤❤.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

@@melvinrawlings1457 sure do appreciate the comment and love 💕

[@melvinrawlings1457]

​@flyingsparksgarage yes always. Thank u guys for providing us with great content and doing what u guys do best. Love yall again ❤❤❤

[@ravineshprasad5531]

AAron, i saw the triangle pendent hanging on you in this episode!!!!! one more reason to keep watching.

[@seanfxsho]

The Blue scotch loc cause many problems with the wiring,, best to use marine connections otherwise you wire spend hours fault finding with green wire etc,, love the video guys good job,,

[@dansoenen8331]

Dang that trailer looks spiffy!! Since the carpet I sent worked out so well, how about I load up my trailer with ALL the other stuff sitting around my shop and pole barn and drop it off. Gosh it would help you guys so much to ALL that stuff I’ve been collecting for 45 yrs. Great idea huh? I thought you’d like it. I’ll get started loading. 😊

[@flyingsparksgarage]

@@dansoenen8331 bring it on Doc!

[@stephenkaine7572]

It's a boat trailer the more grease you pack in it the least likely water reaches the bearings if any leak occurs

[@RebeldryversGarage]

You would think working on a Malibu engine, with it right in the middle of the boat would be easy access. I have the same challenges trying to film working on my boat.

[@AlbionAndEvelyn]

52:41 my wife and I just started launching our boat this year, good to know there is a chance we will stay married after our launches 😂

[@juneladden5151]

Saw the video I loved it have tons of fun with your family

[@x35mmman]

You look AMAZING with the baseball cap on. Never make comments about your look but today I had to take a minute to say this. Did you hear me say God Bless You three times when you were sneezing?

[@flyingsparksgarage]

@@x35mmman sure do appreciate that!

[@bobjones9727]

Why don't you just say it? She is absolutely gorgeous!

[@x35mmman]

@@flyingsparksgarage just to let you know i have 39 years experience of photography first 15 was making comp cards for models

[@elwoodsummersjr596]

Great video , happy boating , PS Emily is as beautiful a ever .

[@bengone3349]

Nice work!

[@martinmicheal4595]

Take a nap I know what that’s code for my wife and I are the same way lmao

[@steveroy6334]

Sometimes I wish I would just set up shop in the Home Depot parking lot

[@jamesmallinger9555]

Have fun with the boat ,❤LoveJim J&R mobile service and God Bless Y'all and your critters

[@larryhetzer7475]

The old guys call it ”palming a bearing” been doing that since I was a kid. Don’t know if it makes a difference but I hold the bearing upside down from your video. The Bearing Buddy applies spring pressure to grease in the hub. The hub can “suck” water in when launching the boat in cool water without a little positive pressure in that hub.

[@ToddSpringer-ue8lo]

Great job guys looks good

[@Bannimann2]

I learned to pack roller bearings the exact same way by my grandad, almost 60 years ago, and I've never had a bearing fail on me, so we must be doing something right 😊- although I would've backed the center nut off a tad more than Aaron did, it seemed a bit too tight for my taste. 😅

[@avflyguy]

I learned that way years ago and still like it as a preferred way. Even pack wheel bearings during annual inspection on my airplane the same way. Some of the newer breed of mechanics think I'm nuts.

[@davestewart9146]

Love the boat videos, such a cool setup, thanks 😁👍

[@almonjacob3496]

I know your way will work, and you've probably been doing it that way for years, but if you turn the bearing over and scrape the grease in from the backside it is a larger opening and it packs the bearing faster. That how we did it in the motor pool with bearings the same diameter of a coffee can.

[@josephvantreeck2989]

thanks!

[@arthursilva6140]

Technology is a wonderful thing. Enjoy the lake and keep doing what you're doing.🤣

[@truckcampinglifemag]

Emily, Bless you! x 3.

[@uwbernie]

just a warning the vibration from trailering and boat life in general usually makes those blue scotch locks fail. Much prefer making a Y with all crimped and heat shrunk connectors.

[@richardharvey8939]

Great video and content as always 🎉

[@michaelforsyth9607]

I have fished that lake all my life the weekends are terrible with boat traffic.

[@Nine_Finger_Wrenching]

We should get together. I could race you in the Seadoo Speedster 🤣 Loser buys the beer. Ouachita is only couple hours from us.

[@busrsq]

The GPS antenna would of worked just as well behind the unit, the ones I fit work well under plastic/glass/fibreglass

[@edb8120]

Good call on the tires. They would be fine for local use but not on the highway. You don't use Bearing Buddies on the trailer wheels? Finding heavy galvanized hardware to use on trailers can be difficult. Regular galvanize will not last long at all. You don't need a spedo on a ski boat, tach only. That is how the driver holds speed.

[@edb8120]

Sorry that I jumped the gun on the Bearing Buddies. Looking great. Yes boats can be a full of random parts and configurations.

[@douglasvidra]

Another great video guys i watch every one of them stay cool be safe God Bless.✌️☄️💥 R.BKTS.

[@danfrombam]

Great episode. Great instructions and good editing. Looking forward to what’s next.

[@Duaneoca]

That gimbal was working overtime in the closing comments!

[@shanewright6958]

Another great video 👍👍

[@DennisMcGrew]

great as always great content very entertaining

[@chappy5538]

Looks like your ready for your vacation have a great time

[@dannymusgrave4516]

When you use bearing savers put the seal on back words so it can push the water out

[@carolhofbauer2450]

Love your channel saw you at Iola Car Show 2024

[@andrewfletcher5584]

Great episode! Am curious if the kitty made the trip to Iola with you guys...

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Nope! My dad is keeping it at his house, he likely won’t want to give it back!

[@andrewfletcher5584]

@@flyingsparksgarage that's good because he looks like a smart kitty, judging by his taste in rims!

[@bobmiller9058]

Ha ha “somebody” ran of the edge of the concrete at boat ramp and dinged the axle

[@daveterry4909]

It sure would be great to see you too start a family of your own, I believe you would be great Parents.

[@bobtucker8875]

Very interesting 🤔 content guys, thanks for sharing 😊. Can't wait for the next time out 😜.

[@renoflames]

Great Movie.

[@joehensley321]

It’s such a pleasure “hanging out” with you guys. Is that Cheeto the mini Cheetah?

[@timmys.adventures_]

The bearings pack way easier if you turn them over

[@garyhay695]

Just drop the bearings into a small plastic bag with the grease and squeeze / force the grease into the bearing no mess no tool and it gets the job done, more grease the better just keep it clean of sand or grit and thats a winner.