Just bought 1985 Skeeter SF115 and have bunches of ?'s

[Pageracing1]

I just bought my first bass boat. It is a 1985 Skeeter Starfire 115 with a Johnson 120v4 engine on it. I bought it from a local guy that said it had been rewired recently and that the engine had been rebuilt as well. He put all new coil packs on the engine along with new wires, plugs, fuel lines, fuel filter..etc.

My questions are involving some switches and wiring. I took a picture to show the switches that I'm talking about at the front of the boat. I know that the trolling motor needs to be replaced because when I hooked up all the wires it would barely turn. Also when you turn the prop by hand it feels like it's almost locked up and squeals when turning. I know the one plug is for the trolling motor to plug into. And right beside it is a switch that says charge 2 12v and run 12/24v. I'm confused as to what that switch does and how it works. The switch feels like it should be replaced as well and I don't know where to get one at.

Beside that is the aerator switch and tilt up and down which works properly still and then there is the broken courtesy light which I can't find a replacement for either.

Basically everything else works fine with the exception of the trim up and down switch on the throttle control needs to be replaced soon. The switch still works currently but it's about to break by the feel of it.

Also I have several other various questions:

How much fuel does the gas tank hold?

What is the best 2 stroke oil to use with this engine? (Johnson V4)

How do you turn the idle down on the engine? (It idles high enough to make noise when you put it in gear)

How fast should this boat run?

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

Here are a few pics of the boat and the switches I am referring to.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Just bought 1985 Skeeter SF115 and have bunches of ?'s

My questions are involving some switches and wiring. I took a picture to show the switches that I'm talking about at the front of the boat. I know that the trolling motor needs to be replaced because when I hooked up all the wires it would barely turn. Also when you turn the prop by hand it feels like it's almost locked up and squeals when turning. I know the one plug is for the trolling motor to plug into. And right beside it is a switch that says charge 2 12v and run 12/24v. I'm confused as to what that switch does and how it works. The switch feels like it should be replaced as well and I don't know where to get one at.

Beside that is the aerator switch and tilt up and down which works properly still and then there is the broken courtesy light which I can't find a replacement for either.

Basically everything else works fine with the exception of the trim up and down switch on the throttle control needs to be replaced soon. The switch still works currently but it's about to break by the feel of it.

Also I have several other various questions:

How much fuel does the gas tank hold?

What is the best 2 stroke oil to use with this engine? (Johnson V4)

How do you turn the idle down on the engine? (It idles high enough to make noise when you put it in gear)

How fast should this boat run?

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

Here are a few pics of the boat and the switches I am referring to.

The 2-12 charge is where you can plug in a battery charger to charge the 2 batteries it should have, it is or should be wired for 24v to the front.
The middle will be 12v only and the down will be 12v/24v run.
Make sure how many batteries it has.
It should hold about 18 gallons of gas.
Any good TCW3 oil will work.

 

[Pageracing1]

Re: Just bought 1985 Skeeter SF115 and have bunches of ?'s

Thanks SpinnerbaitNut for the answers.

The previous owner actually kept the batteries for his other boat. I know it has about 6 different sets of positive and negative wires in the back but I'm really not sure what is what with the exception of the big wires being for the engine cranking and trim.

I see it has a place for two batteries on the left side and one battery on the right side. I guess I will have to do some experimenting to see what runs what.

Also where can I get a replacement set of switches at? Are these style switches something that an Advance Auto Parts would carry? I have no idea on the amperage rating on any of them.

Thanks again

 

[Pageracing1]

Re: Just bought 1985 Skeeter SF115 and have bunches of ?'s

Ok update on the boat wiring:

I have bought two new deep cycle batteries for the boat. (one marine starting and one marine trolling)

I found out which wires are for the accesories like the bilge pump, aerator, engine starting, engine trim and fish finder. They all are ran off of 3 sets of wires on the right side of the boat in the back.

Well there are 3 sets of wires on the back left side of the boat also. For some reason I have to have all 3 sets hooked to one battery in order for the trolling motor to work. I have tried wiring it in all different configurations but ONLY all 3 sets together will make the trolling motor work. Also the trolling motor will ONLY work on the 24V setting on the unit itself. The switch on the front of the boat will be in the 12V setting though and doesn't matter which position you put it in.

I was hoping someone would know why I have to have all 3 sets hooked up for it to work? And also why it only works with the trolling motor set to 24V when it is indeed only one 12V battery hooked up?

Also where can I get a replacement 3 position switch from like the one up front that is for the trolling motor?


Thanks for any and all help guys as it's much appreciated.

 

[donnydodad]

Re: Just bought 1985 Skeeter SF115 and have bunches of ?'s

Ok on the left rear there needs to be 2 batts, both the batteries should be side by side. then there should be one wire too the positive on 1 batt, one wire ran to the negitive side of the 2nd battery! Then mine just has a short 10 or 12 inch peice of wire that has a eye connecter on both ends that goes from the neg on the first batt, too the positive on the second batt, inturn making the system a 24 volt for or trolling motor to work in 24 v mode..I have the a 1984 SS Starfire as well with yamaha 150 hydro tec v6 on it .. I bought it last winter and have been restoreing and am almost done minus my new skeeter seats i have and carpet , gauges need some work to lol been a very learning experience ,,Donny strange donnydodad@msn.com

 

[Flowconpc]

Re: Just bought 1985 Skeeter SF115 and have bunches of ?'s

Ok update on the boat wiring:

I have bought two new deep cycle batteries for the boat. (one marine starting and one marine trolling)

I found out which wires are for the accesories like the bilge pump, aerator, engine starting, engine trim and fish finder. They all are ran off of 3 sets of wires on the right side of the boat in the back.

Well there are 3 sets of wires on the back left side of the boat also. For some reason I have to have all 3 sets hooked to one battery in order for the trolling motor to work. I have tried wiring it in all different configurations but ONLY all 3 sets together will make the trolling motor work. Also the trolling motor will ONLY work on the 24V setting on the unit itself. The switch on the front of the boat will be in the 12V setting though and doesn't matter which position you put it in.

I was hoping someone would know why I have to have all 3 sets hooked up for it to work? And also why it only works with the trolling motor set to 24V when it is indeed only one 12V battery hooked up?

Also where can I get a replacement 3 position switch from like the one up front that is for the trolling motor?


Thanks for any and all help guys as it's much appreciated.

Hi Pager

I have the same setup at the bow of my Starfire 115 , all of the wires are connected at the bow but where will I find the opposite ends of the wires to
hook up to my battery ? I am extremely new to boating and need some help in connecting these wires , can you help ? All wires at the bow are color coded but are not powered yet except for the trolling motor.


Thanks

Flowconpc