Couple questions before I go out riding the first time.

[R055]

I have a 2003 maxum 1900sr with 4.3 carbed.
1. Do you hand tighten the water plug or wrench?
2. What trim level do I use/start with for the different activities like wakeboarding, tubing, cruising, riding from boat launch to dock.
3. Is trim suppose to be up or down when docked?
4. I left my stereo on and drained battery, is there a cheap charger that just charges the battery for around 20$? Don't need it to be float charger just as long as it gets it charged this one time.
I might have some more questions when they hit my head, I'll post them in this thread.

 

[ondarvr]

1. Wrench

2. Whatever works the best, down when taking off, higher when running

3. Yes

4. If you left it on all winter it's toast, just get a new one.

 

[R055]

1. Wrench

2. Whatever works the best, down when taking off, higher when running

3. Yes

4. If you left it on all winter it's toast, just get a new one.

The battery just died this week, it has full charge before, I got the boat just last week and was playing around with the radio, it was illuminating but I thought that was just from the sun and it was off, turns out it was on so battery has been dead for just 1 week.

 

[JoshOnt]

Get a car battery charger that you plug in. I have one I use before each season to make sure the battery is topped up or when I forget and leave the running lights on

 

[GA_Boater]

And take a boating safety course if you haven't. It may save a life.

 

[R055]

And take a boating safety course if you haven't. It may save a life.

I've taken the boat us course to get the boat license for washington

 

[thumpar]

I have a 2003 maxum 1900sr with 4.3 carbed.
1. Do you hand tighten the water plug or wrench?
2. What trim level do I use/start with for the different activities like wakeboarding, tubing, cruising, riding from boat launch to dock.
3. Is trim suppose to be up or down when docked?
4. I left my stereo on and drained battery, is there a cheap charger that just charges the battery for around 20$? Don't need it to be float charger just as long as it gets it charged this one time.
I might have some more questions when they hit my head, I'll post them in this thread.

1: Wrench but not overly tight
2: Down when you start. As you get on plane raise it up. If it starts to porpoise lower it a tad.
3: I would keep it down for best control.
4: Get a charger that will do both float and full charging. $20 is a low budget. My charger will do everything from float to engine start. They run $60+ dollars but that is cheaper than a battery and half the price of the fuel stop. Boats are expensive to run and maintain.

 

[redneck joe]

Fyi

Porpoise is the bow floppping up and down as you drive down the lake.

 

[bruceb58]

With the radio off, it could still be draining the battery. On my boats not only do I have battery switched and keep them off, I also have switches to the radio to turn off when to prevent the small darin that radios have when they are off.

Do your self a big favor and get a better 3 stage battery charger. It can either be permanently mounted in your boat or a portable.

Here is a portable one:
http://www.amazon.com/Minnkota-110P-.../dp/B001PTHKKS

If you are going to get a permanent model( I have these in both of my boats) you may wany to think about getting a 2 bank model in case you ever decide to add a second battery.

As far as leaving drive down when docked. As long as there is no danger of the drive ever hitting the bottom, you always want to keep your drive down. Same goes for storing on your trailer. Always keep the drive down to keep the bellows and shift cable in their relaxed position.

 

[GA_Boater]

With the radio off, it could still be draining the battery. On my boats not only do I have battery switched and keep them off, I also have switches to the radio to turn off when to prevent the small darin that radios have when they are off.

Do your self a big favor and get a better 3 stage battery charger. It can either be permanently mounted in your boat or a portable.

Here is a portable one:
http://www.amazon.com/Minnkota-110P-Portable-Battery-Charger/dp/B001PTHKKS

Same charger, same price and same free shipping. And it might qualify for the FORUM5 5% discount, too. Helps pay for this free forum, too.

 

[H20Rat]

Normally you shouldn't need an on-board charger on an I/O... I've never found the need, even with boats with large stereo's. Don't drain the battery down to start with, and if you do, just connect a charger.

 

[thumpar]

Normally you shouldn't need an on-board charger on an I/O... I've never found the need, even with boats with large stereo's. Don't drain the battery down to start with, and if you do, just connect a charger.

Mine will drain over time because of the stereo. It doesn't take long. Unless the engine is running you don't charge the batter from it. While sitting it doesn't matter what kind of engine/drive setup it is.

 

[bruceb58]

Normally you shouldn't need an on-board charger on an I/O... I've never found the need, even with boats with large stereo's. Don't drain the battery down to start with, and if you do, just connect a charger.

I have 2 Oddysey AGM batteries with a 2 bank onboard charger on my 24' Wellcraft. I run a bait tank all day and if I am not running the engine enough, one battery will come back depleted. Would not want to be without it.

I have an onboard charger on my outboard powered Pontoon boat as well with 2 batteries. It sits all winter with the onboard charge on 24/7 keeping the batteries full.

 

[bruceb58]

Same charger, same price and same free shipping. And it might qualify for the FORUM5 5% discount, too. Helps pay for this free forum, too.

Kind of interesting that iBoats won't sell these to California residents due to some 2013 efficiency law we have. I looked at some other sites that sell these and they don't list the same restriction.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have a 2003 maxum 1900sr with 4.3 carbed.
1. Do you hand tighten the water plug or wrench?
2. What trim level do I use/start with for the different activities like wakeboarding, tubing, cruising, riding from boat launch to dock.
3. Is trim suppose to be up or down when docked?
4. I left my stereo on and drained battery, is there a cheap charger that just charges the battery for around 20$? Don't need it to be float charger just as long as it gets it charged this one time.
I might have some more questions when they hit my head, I'll post them in this thread.

1 - wrench, about 2 flats past finger tight - your trying to seal the hole, not lock down the world
2 - I suggest you get someone to show you how to use the trim and when. down fully for hole shot, up as needed to get boat to plane where you want it. I actually wore out the trim switch on the boat. it is used as often as the throttle is.
3 - depends where you dock. if in shallow water, up, if in deep water down.
4 - cheap chargers are junk. get a good battery charger and a battery shut-off switch.

 

[drrpm]

If you know an experienced boater who can give some tips for driving the boat it will really steepen the learning curve and be a lot more fun for the people on the other end of the rope. Starting and driving is a bit different for every kind of towable. It makes a bigger difference for skiers and boarders and you need to figure out how to tune your driving to the skills and size of who you are pulling.

 

[oldjeep]

1) I always put it in finger tight and then have to use a wrench to remove - get yourself one of these and it comes with an extra plug
http://www.iboats.com/Plugmate-trad...494753--session_id.451110952--view_id.1182660

2) Down all the way assuming the water is deep enough and then trim it up to achieve the ride you are looking for
3) Depends on water depth - all the way down if you can since it makes it easier to steer
4) Any car charger works in a pinch - or you can mount something like this in the boat (I run a prosport 12 in mine)
http://www.iboats.com/PROSPORT-GENE...494753--session_id.451110952--view_id.1144320

 

[OllieC]

I have a 2003 maxum 1900sr with 4.3 carbed.

1. Do you hand tighten the water plug or wrench? I use a wrench, firm but not tight.

2. What trim level do I use/start with for the different activities like wakeboarding, tubing, cruising, riding from boat launch to dock. Down while launching to plane - then raise completely while planed and adjust for listing.

3. Is trim suppose to be up or down when docked? doesn't matter - down is easier to control.

4. I left my stereo on and drained battery, is there a cheap charger that just charges the battery for around 20$? Don't need it to be float charger just as long as it gets it charged this one time.
I might have some more questions when they hit my head, I'll post them in this thread. As others mentioned, get yourself a good onboard waterproof charger like a Guest. Then all you need to do is plug an extension cord in.

Also, if you have room, get an extra battery and a Perko Dual Battery selector switch. There is plenty of info on iBoats or youtube on how to install one of these. Make one battery your "House" battery (lights, radio, sounders, etc.) and the other dedicated for "starting". This way you won't be stuck somewhere if you run that Batt down.

Hope this helps

 

[R055]

Alright, another think I noticed today whike draining the water because it's suppose to get cold next couple of days is there is weld on starboard side by drain plug, is that a cracked block? I'll post pic in couple minutes

 

[R055]

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