Crestliner 1650 Console Instruments

[Seatabria]

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Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2025
Posts:

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I just picked up a 2016 Crestliner 1650 Discovery side console boat with a Mercury 50 ELPT outboard. The console dash is a blank plate with no instruments and I would like to install something such as RPM, speed, etc. It appears that the unit has been pre wired for some data from the engine as there’s a multi conductor cable connector labeled “Smartcraft” hanging underneath the console. Does anyone know what data is available via the Smartcraft plug and what’s the best way to get the information displayed? Mercury sells a lot of instruments but I’m not sure what will work with this setup or if there’s any aftermarket 3rd party options available that would be better? Looking forward to hearing your ideas!

 

[Texasmark]

What I would do since I fix my stuff...it doesn't go to the shop!
Get a service manual for your engine. Ebay is where I get mine. Dig around inside the manual for wiring harness information. Usually there is a schematic diagram of engine wiring including wire color codes that goes to an external plug (inside the engine on Port side usually). On my recent engines it had 8 pins.

Inspect the color codes on the wires in the boating wiring harness that are connected to these pins. Like the red wire in the engine is 12v power to the external control box and is connected to pin 8 for example and in the boat wiring harness connected to pin 8 is an orange wire with a green stripe, or red wire also....whatever it is.

Go to the console and follow that color coded wire and you have your source for whatever is on that engine supplied wire. Shouldn't be that much of a problem. If you get into an instrument mating problem, like the new instrument has an xyz connections and the boats wiring harness has abc, then dig around and find a wiring hardware supplier, find a mating connector....they are out there if you use popular instruments....and splice it into you boat's wiring harness. Piece of cake!

 

[StewartL]

The Smartcraft plug gives you engine data like RPM, trim, voltage, and fuel flow.

The simplest solution is a Mercury Smartcraft gauge. It plugs right into that existing harness.
Look for a Smartcraft Tachometer or an SC1000 model. It's a direct plug-and-play fix for your blank dash.

 

[redneck joe]

Welcome to the forum. I'm no help here just wanted to say hello.

 

[Texasmark]

Welcome to the forum. I'm no help here just wanted to say hello.

Hi!

 

[Texasmark]

The Smartcraft plug gives you engine data like RPM, trim, voltage, and fuel flow.

The simplest solution is a Mercury Smartcraft gauge. It plugs right into that existing harness.
Look for a Smartcraft Tachometer or an SC1000 model. It's a direct plug-and-play fix for your blank dash.

Great information. Much simpler that what I suggested....course I had no idea what you suggested existed......not up on today's improvements.

 

[airshot]

With everyone having GPS on board, I think speedo's have gone by the wayside. GPS is far more accurate anyway. I wouldn't waste my beer tokens on a speedometer.

 

[redneck joe]

With everyone having GPS on board, I think speedo's have gone by the wayside. GPS is far more accurate anyway. I wouldn't waste my beer tokens on a speedometer.

i will be using my pitot tube in (I think) a novel way. My motor has it built into the lower unit and atm it just shoots up in the aire next to the pee stream but i'm going to plum into the livewell with a pedcock so when i'm running it puts freah water in for me without me having to think about it.

 

[airshot]

My motor has the built in pitot as well, but it clogs often, I just gave up on it..pressure Speedo is not accurate anyway...

 

[redneck joe]

My motor has the built in pitot as well, but it clogs often, I just gave up on it..pressure Speedo is not accurate anyway...

Yeah, but it is there so why not.

 

[Texasmark]

i will be using my pitot tube in (I think) a novel way. My motor has it built into the lower unit and atm it just shoots up in the aire next to the pee stream but i'm going to plum into the livewell with a pedcock so when i'm running it puts freah water in for me without me having to think about it.

Just how many GPH do you expect to get out of that tiny tube and only when the boat is moving forward?

 

[redneck joe]

Just how many GPH do you expect to get out of that tiny tube and only when the boat is moving forward?

More than none. I'll still have the pump as needed but more than none is better than none plus it won't out fill the 3/4" drain line.