WOW! Didn't know this was here!

[trobinson017]

Holy cow! I've been posting to iBoats for a couple years now and never knew there was a Seaswirl specific forum! Sigh, that's about the same luck I have fishing; I find 'em once every couple years.

Anyway, I have a 1999 21' Seaswirl Striper CC with a Johnson 130 Oceanpro outboard. I actually bought it in 2003 as a new boat, first owner. The boat was in a Texas holding facility cuz the dealer there was filing for bankruptcy. It was released from holding in 2002 and bought up by a dealer here in Florida. I then bought it from the dealer in 2003.

I've had a lot of problems with both the boat and the motor. Most are/were minor but annoying. My biggest issue thus far has been water in the bilge area. I'm still working that out and it's getting better as I discover, remove or fix things. I should say this is my first boat so I'm still learning. I've only had to call SeaTow twice.

One major question I have is about the oil injection system. Does anyone else use this? I'm not really sold on it. For one, with two batteries installed I can't see the level in the oil tank, so I have to guess how much is needed (no gauge). Also, I'm concerned about the injection pump failing and not getting a warning alarm. What is the consensus on this? Do most who have it still use it? Or have many of you that had it removed it in favor of mixing the oil in yourself? I'm leaning toward removing it.

Anyway, even with it's problems it's still a boat that gets us out on the water. As a matter of fact, the tides up high enough now so I can float it off the lift.
With that, I bid you all "later" and glad to have found this forum!

 

[Backlash]

Re: WOW! Didn't know this was here!

I've got a '90 Striper 210 with a Johnson 150 on it. The VRO has never been a problem, in fact I wouldn't be without it. You might run a search on the topic as there are differing views on the subject.
Backlash

 

[Chris1956]

Re: WOW! Didn't know this was here!

Troll, I have the 1998 21' Dual Console with a 150 Johnny. Your motor should have the System Check feature where a special Tachometer will provide lights and a horn warning for low oil, no oil, overheat and fuel restriction. See if you have about a 8 pin female connector under the dash. if so, you can get a System Check Tach from Faria, and other manufacturers. There is no provision for a oil level gauge. You may plumb the oil fill to a thru hull fitting like the gas cap, and fill it from the splashwell, if you like.

I have had the boat two years, and the only issue was that the hatch in the bow port seat cracked (my sister in law's butt cracked it). I never replaced it and two weeks ago, my 350# friend's butt cracked the fiberglass of the port bow seat. That was an ugly repair, but it is cosmetically acceptable.


It is hard to see the oil level in the resevoir, but since I only need to fill it a few times a year, it isn't worth changing it. The oil injection has worked quite well. It is not hard to know if the motor is getting oil, I have plenty of smoke.

My hull also has many places where water is trapped. As you get on plane, most of it runs to the bilge where it is pumped out. I do not know where the front fish box drains to however. I will guess it just drains into the hull, and the water gets trapped.