First, I'll set the stage:
I have a 2002 Glastron SX175 with the 3.0 Volvo Penta. I bought the boat this spring and it has been great. It is my second boat so I am not a complete newbie (so I thought). I am pretty handy, but leave the big mechanical stuff to the experts.
So yesterday, I go to the marina where I have the boat at a slip for the summer. The weather isn't great so not many people there and I am really only there to go the gas pump and fill up while it is quiet. I take off the covers and start the engine on the first turn of the key. I let it warm up to about 140 degrees and then decide to take a small loop to warm it up before I pull into the marina area for gas. It is running perfectly as usual never skipping a beat until it all of a sudden stalls. I try to restart and it turns over, starts to fire, but nothing. So now I am wondering if I am out of gas as this is the lowest I have ever had it and I don't know how accurate the gauge is (it shows a little less than 1/4). I decide that SHOULDN'T be the issue and proceed to pump the throttle and give it a try. Again it fires, starts to rev and then dies out. After this sequence for a few times, I concede and decide it is not worth trying 100 times when something just seems wrong and I am lower than usual on gas. I bust out the paddle and go up in the bow and start paddling for the gas pump.
A guy pulls up and offers a tow. I thank him and he pulls me about 500 yards into the gas pump. I fill it up and it takes 17 gallons. The tank is 23 so empty is now crossed off the list. I try to start again, put the throttle at full and it starts to fire, then backfires and smokes a little. The real kicker is that I turn the key and no beeps, voltage doesn't show, BUT all accessories work and the starter isn't even bogging down. I move the boat out of the way of the pump and ask a kid that works there if I can have a mechanic take a quick look as it seems like a fuse or something electrical that is not working and not allowing it to run.
The punchline:
I walk up to the garage and describe my issue to a mechanic. He ponders it and says "it sounds an awful lot like the safety lanyard is unhooked. I'll send someone down". I get a sinking feeling in my stomach, jog down to the boat and sure enough the safety lanyard is NOT fully unhooked, but the clip that holds the button down has popped out past the plastic clip that is supposed to depress it. I press the little button in and slide the clip slightly until it positively snaps. Again, it wasn't off just off center enough to engage the safety system. I turn the key, it beeps and fires first try. I hang my head as the mechanic makes his way down and tell him thanks for the guidance, I am all set. I also let the kid at the gas pump and the mid 50's pontoon boater (nice guy that could have been on the brochure for a pontoon boat company) know my issue. Both grin and head on their way.
I was ex-static that instead of a mystery electrical problem that could be difficult to diagnose or leave me stranded on the LARGE lake, I am back to 100% and I will NEVER forget to check the safety lanyard again!!
I have a 2002 Glastron SX175 with the 3.0 Volvo Penta. I bought the boat this spring and it has been great. It is my second boat so I am not a complete newbie (so I thought). I am pretty handy, but leave the big mechanical stuff to the experts.
So yesterday, I go to the marina where I have the boat at a slip for the summer. The weather isn't great so not many people there and I am really only there to go the gas pump and fill up while it is quiet. I take off the covers and start the engine on the first turn of the key. I let it warm up to about 140 degrees and then decide to take a small loop to warm it up before I pull into the marina area for gas. It is running perfectly as usual never skipping a beat until it all of a sudden stalls. I try to restart and it turns over, starts to fire, but nothing. So now I am wondering if I am out of gas as this is the lowest I have ever had it and I don't know how accurate the gauge is (it shows a little less than 1/4). I decide that SHOULDN'T be the issue and proceed to pump the throttle and give it a try. Again it fires, starts to rev and then dies out. After this sequence for a few times, I concede and decide it is not worth trying 100 times when something just seems wrong and I am lower than usual on gas. I bust out the paddle and go up in the bow and start paddling for the gas pump.
A guy pulls up and offers a tow. I thank him and he pulls me about 500 yards into the gas pump. I fill it up and it takes 17 gallons. The tank is 23 so empty is now crossed off the list. I try to start again, put the throttle at full and it starts to fire, then backfires and smokes a little. The real kicker is that I turn the key and no beeps, voltage doesn't show, BUT all accessories work and the starter isn't even bogging down. I move the boat out of the way of the pump and ask a kid that works there if I can have a mechanic take a quick look as it seems like a fuse or something electrical that is not working and not allowing it to run.
The punchline:
I walk up to the garage and describe my issue to a mechanic. He ponders it and says "it sounds an awful lot like the safety lanyard is unhooked. I'll send someone down". I get a sinking feeling in my stomach, jog down to the boat and sure enough the safety lanyard is NOT fully unhooked, but the clip that holds the button down has popped out past the plastic clip that is supposed to depress it. I press the little button in and slide the clip slightly until it positively snaps. Again, it wasn't off just off center enough to engage the safety system. I turn the key, it beeps and fires first try. I hang my head as the mechanic makes his way down and tell him thanks for the guidance, I am all set. I also let the kid at the gas pump and the mid 50's pontoon boater (nice guy that could have been on the brochure for a pontoon boat company) know my issue. Both grin and head on their way.
I was ex-static that instead of a mystery electrical problem that could be difficult to diagnose or leave me stranded on the LARGE lake, I am back to 100% and I will NEVER forget to check the safety lanyard again!!
My 4th time out this year
