New (used) boat problems

[Btuvi]

I bought a boat (2002 20' Hydrasport)which was supposed to be in good working condition across the board. Not the case.

Trim tabs switches are reversed. Left is right and up is down.

Recently installed gauges said to be working do not.

After market guages-tach and fuel guage do not work. Volt seems to work as does temp in that they do register and stay in one place. Psi (whatever that is) has drops of water inside and I can't tell if it is working or not.

Though I didn't notice at the time there is no kill switch. Boat dash/controls recently refurbished for sale and apparently kill switch was left off. I did buy a lanyard though so if it weren't for absent switch I'd be good to go.

Since I have to take to Merc dealer for engine problems I will have kill switch installed.

I'm concerned though that guages may need to be replaced and because of extensive mess of wiring will cost me dearly for them to trace. It has to be done I suppose but I've discovered that guages are extremely expensive and wiring ain't easy.

Oh, yes there are no navigation lights on bow. More expense.

New fresh water pump not working. Fuse, maybe?

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New (used) boat problems

I bet you now wish you had done an on-water test before purchasing this boat. When a seller says "It runs perfect" but won't let you test it you can bet your bottom dollar it doesn't run at all. None of the issues you are talking about are serious IF you invest a little of your time "learning" about your boat. If you don't want to invest that time then yes, these are expensive repairs since it is going to be 90% labor. If the gauges were new as stated, they should look new. No -- gauges are not terribly expensive in the grand scheme of things. You simply need to shop. Just so you know, PSI can be water pressure (outboard engines) or oil pressure (I/O or inboard). If you suspect a fuse is bad check them. Costs you nothing -- except for the fuse if it is bad. At the very top of the electrical forum are a couple sticky notes that contain instrumentation diagrams.

 

[dingbat]

Re: New (used) boat problems

I bought a boat (2002 20' Hydrasport)which was supposed to be in good working condition across the board. Not the case.

Trim tabs switches are reversed. Left is right and up is down.

This is wired correctly.

To push the Bow down, starboard = lower port side tab
To push the Bow down, port = Lower starboard side tab
To pull the Bow up, starboard = raise port side tab
To pull the Bow up, port = raise starboard side tab

 

[45Auto]

Re: New (used) boat problems

Come on Btuvi, run it like it is. I can't imagine the great stories we'd get in a year or so about adventures with trim tabs, non-working guages, kill switches, and lights!! The guy probably sold it to you that way just to give you something to write about!

 

[Btuvi]

Re: New (used) boat problems

In my defense, Silvertip, though I don't have as much of one as I would like -

I did test drive the boat and did understand that gauges and things weren't all working properly. However, despite my disappointment, this was not a deal breaker - especially after driving for 14 hours to pick up boat and having a committment that required me to conclude deal and drive home immediately.

But my real problem was that the engine did not run properly so we took boat to Merc dealer who found problem and fixed it according to computer and engine test on muffs. At that point I had no more time and concluded that I could accept dealers judgment that all was well.

After getting boat home I took the boat out a couple of days later and discovered that problem had not been fixed so my main thrust is to deal with that. Boat is at local Merc dealer now and I have been called in to review problems - which scares me to death. I'll let you know how that goes.

I'm not opposed to learning all that I can about boat and expect to do so with help from forums. However, you have seen enough of my posts to know that, mechanically, I have no knowledge or experience and difficulty understanding how to get from point A to point B if the line is not very very straight. I do not, for instance, understand such simple things as ground wires. There are no wires running to the ground and I can't even imagine how that is possible when on the high seas. (OK! I'm exaggerating but not as much as you might think.)

Thanks, Dingbat, for info on tabs. Once I get boat back in my hands I'll try to figure out what you mean by what you say. I have difficulty grasping the idea that pushing the down switch means up and vice versa but I'll get it.

I suspect that stories will be forthcoming and it won't take a year.

Thanks all for your input.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New (used) boat problems

I have difficulty grasping the idea that pushing the down switch means up and vice versa but I'll get it.

Ayuh,....

Quite Simply,...
You're looking at what the Tab does,....
Not what the boat will Do....

 

[azlakes]

Re: New (used) boat problems

Boat is at local Merc dealer now and I have been called in to review problems - which scares me to death. I'll let you know how that goes.

Hey Btuvi, so what did they find?

 

[HONKER1]

Re: New (used) boat problems

Hang in there BTUVI....This is like going into a dark room, but with the help of this forum the members will start turning on small lights for you so you can see. This will give you the opportunity to learn a small part about this boat that may come in handy out on the water for emergency repairs.