Mystery port

[borderboat]

Hi everyone! I am new to owning & maintaining a boat, but have always been a DIYer. I was wondering if someone would be able to identify this mystery port on the front of the leg on my 1993 Mariner 115 (shown in the bottom right of pic, looks to be a 90 degree hose barb plastic fitting). I just bought a 16' bowrider with this motor and am looking to get onto the water this weekend. Is this port for a speedometer? What is the broken cable in the top left supposed to be connected to? Thanks in advance!

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Mystery port

You are correct, barbed fitting is for the speedo pitot tube.

The broken cable is a stainless steel 'continuity' cable, used to reduce galvanic corrosion, replace it.

 

[borderboat]

Re: Mystery port

Thank you very much! I was assuming that the cable was there to keep something in place!

 

[j_martin]

Re: Mystery port

Thank you very much! I was assuming that the cable was there to keep something in place!

It is. It helps keep electrons in the water, so the aluminum stays with the engine.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Mystery port

It is. It helps keep electrons in the water, so the aluminum stays with the engine.

Yeah... when it's broken all the electrons leak out...

On the serious side.... That cable is stainless don't try to replace it with copper wire.

 

[borderboat]

Re: Mystery port

Thanks everyone! The boat had an aftermarket speedo bracket on the bottom of the transom, so I though maybe the connection at the motor was not working. I hooked it up this weekend (I fortunately had the correct tubing, which also works great for vacuum hose in older cars) and the speedo works fine. I will replace the cable with a stainless one. Thanks again!

 

[sschefer]

Re: Mystery port

Thanks everyone! The boat had an aftermarket speedo bracket on the bottom of the transom, so I though maybe the connection at the motor was not working. I hooked it up this weekend (I fortunately had the correct tubing, which also works great for vacuum hose in older cars) and the speedo works fine. I will replace the cable with a stainless one. Thanks again!

Sometimes they get plugged when people paint over that tiny little hole on the leading edge of the upper bullet. You'll want to locate that now while it's working so you know where it is if it gets plugged in the future.