Funny you guys should bring this up because I spent a good part of my day yesterday cursing the Malibu Speed Control. Every time I shut off the boat, which is after every rider, it would turn off. Of course, I would never remember to turn it back on before the next rider gets pulled out of the water, so I would have to work the throttle manually until their first fall.
Obviously, this would be almost a non-issue if I was able to turn the speed control on at any time (which I believe I was able to do with my previous Perfect Pass) as some here have said they are able to do, but I found that I would have to be at a very low speed to do so. After a certain speed, it wouldn't let me turn on the speed control. Very frustrating.
So when I saw this thread, I busted out the manual for my VLX. There is a setting in the computer where you can set the default to "Speed Control On" or "Speed Control Off" when you start the boat. I just tested it in the driveway and I changed the setting to "Speed Control On." Now my speed control is automatically turned on whenever I start the boat.
Upon further reading, I found out that if the actual speed of the boat is within six mph of the set speed, you are not allowed to turn the speed control on. The only way to engage speed control on the fly is to reduce your speed so that you are at least six mph below the set speed and then you can turn it on. I guess you could also increase the set speed until it's six mph over your current speed and get the same result.
It's amazing what you can learn if you just read the manual!
I will be much happier the next time I head out on the water.