First Time Out

[bluecrab]

Well I took my very first boat out for the very first time.

Anyway, the ramp was at a low angle and pretty much had the truck the mud but my 1989 s-10 handled it well. Kayaker helped us clear logs to get her in.

About 5 minutes to unload. Pulled the boat up put the dogs in then the lady.
Pushed it out and jumped in.

Started on first try, engine prrs I was expecting much louder. I went out about 200-300 feet and opened it up a little.
Something didn't feel right for the first 5-10 minutes every time I would boost the throttle.
The tilt was too high. "issue" resolved.

I was little nervous about rocks and logs and it was only about 4-5ft deep to me It didn't "feel" deep enough. I found a channel at about 7-11 feet and rode it for about 4-5 miles. Let the lady drive it for a little while. It was a little chilly but the cold never hurt anybody, I was having fun.
Saw a lot of herons and other birds, fish jumping...

about two hours later we pulled the trailer in and loaded the boat and pulled it off in about 5 minutes.

Readied her for her journey home. A gentleman in a van stopped by and complemented my boat and said "be careful in these parts when its low."

It was FUN!! I can't wait to start really doing stuff with this thing.

Here are the things I need to fix so far.

- The speedometer is broke is it even worth fixing/troubleshooting or just get a good gps?
- I would like to put an hour meter on. Anyone ever do that.
- might need to change the fuel gauge. it jumps a little but I can't remember if that was when I was underway. I will check again.
- Anyone have any computer interfacing knowledge on Suzuki engines? any engines??
- Are there DIY'ers? here with post warranty engines? What do you do and don't do? I know this is general but sometimes don't know what to search for.
- When do you take to the dealer?


I have the shop manual coming so any references there would be appreciated too.
I tell ya what I am really glad I picked a Triumph, so is my lady.

I can't wait for the next good day. My rods and reels are ready for the next time.

The lady has pics I will post when I get them.
happy easter everybody.
~blue~

[cagrove]

BlueCrab,
Where did you put in?

A couple of things...

1) The speedometer is usually a quick fix. There is a plastic tube (about 1/8" to 1/4" OD) that runs from the speedo to the engine. Check the connections on the engine to make sure the tube is connected...some times they work loose. Also there is a little hole (1/16th of an inch??) in the engine on the leading edge below the water line that can become plugged with weeds and or mud. This is where the water pressure is transferred through the tubing to activate your guage. Make sure it's clear of any debris. You can take a can of "dust off" or air hose and put pressure into the back of the guage to see if it deflects the needle. If no deflection, bad guage. Use air pressure into the hole to see if you get deflection on the guage.

2) Water depth: I know it will take a while to get used to but 4 - 5 feet is plenty of water...just be careful of logs and stumps as they can wreak havoc on the lower unit of the engine. As you get to know the water, you'll feel safer.

3) Hour meters are fairly straight forward. Just follow the instructions that come with it...you shouldn't have any problems.

4) I do the basic stuff to my engine (spark plugs, etc). If I feel it's not running right, I take it to the dealer. Also, the best time to have work done on a boat is late fall or the dead of winter...other times it may take a couple of weeks to get your boat back due to the volume of work other boats need.

Congrats on your maiden voyage, sounds like you learned a little and had some fun...that's what it's all about.

Tight lines,

[bluecrab]

Thanks a lot.
oh yeah one MAJOR lesson learned:
ANNOUNCE when the vessel is underway.

~blue~

[rkola]

Sounds like your first time out was a success. Hope you enjoy your boat as much as we enjoy our 170 DC. Couple of comments on your problems - although Chuck, as usual, did a great job of responding.

You may already know this, but on my Yamaha the speedometer only works when on plane.

The hour meter is an easy install. I believe there are instructions here (use the search engine). I installed mine in about 30 minutes, including cutting the mounting hole. While it was scary to cut the first hole in our boat, it went fine. The meter is hooked to ground, and the tachometer. This install has the meter clocking hours whenever the key is on, but 99% of the time the engine is running then.

My fuel guage jumps a little as well (about 1/8 of the range). I believe it's an electrical thing, and tied to the cycling of the bilge pump, but it's never been enough of an issue to investigate. I try to never get below 1/4 tank or so.

Ron

[bluecrab]

Thanks for the response.

So it is very possible that with my lack of knowledge I was never on plane :-)
I "felt" like I was moving the way I was supposed to but who knows.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Stereo works great, batt. charger workers nice battery I might say. Oh yeah and it came with a full gas tank. I can't wait till next time.

Sweet , sweet , sweet.
~blue~

[cagrove]

BlueCrab,
When you start out, have the motor trimmed all the way in (down). Give the boat full throttle. You will notice that the boat starts to push water (plow). Then, very quickly, the boat will ride up on top of the water...sort of skipping on it. Only the rear of the boat and the engine should be touching the water at this point. That is on plane. You can then trim the motor out (up) a little at a time which will raise up the bow a little and make you go a little faster. You should reduce your throttle a little to find a comfortable cruising speed. You can use the trim to find that sweet spot where you don't bounce and the boat seems to operate efficiently. When coming off plane, just reverse the process...reduce throttle, let the boat settle down into the water and trim the motor all the way in.

Gas gauges on a boat are not as reliable as the ones in your car...I'm not sure why, but I've never had one that was 100% accurate. Even in my current boat, unless I just filled up, it will read somewhere between 1/4 and 3/4 full. I know that if I get down to 1/4 showing on the gauge, I fill it up.

Lot's of neat things to learn with a first boat...fun experimenting finding out all the little tricks to make it more enjoyable on the water.

Enjoy the ride!

[wpschaef]

Just for info my speedo works at slow speed,at about 10mph, and the hour meter is built in to the Faria gauges if you have them. It is a small digital window in the bottom of the tach. I was going to install a meter until the service guy showed me this one. I couldn't read it at first due to condensation but it's good after replacement. I haven't gotten to the "after warrenty" part yet. My Yamaha goes for first service today. Service manual sounds like a good idea. I have my depth alarm set for 3 ft just to give me a little warning. The Sacramento/SanJuaquin rivers delta can get pretty shallow. It took awhile for me to get comfortable with WOT in 7-8ft.
Hope you enjoy as much as I do. My wife already calls it my girlfriend. Maybe that's what I'll name her.

Biff

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by wpschaef

the hour meter is built in to the Faria gauges if you have them. It is a small digital window in the bottom of the tach. I was going to install a meter until the service guy showed me this one.
Biff

Yep, some of the later versions came with the hour meter already in the Tach. My 2003 doesn't have the hour meter...I've thought about adding one or even swapping Tachs, but it hasn't made the Top Ten list yet. Perhaps this year.....

[bob_bra]

Hi, Enjoy your 170 CC! I usually use remote tanks for it takes forever to run the on board tank dry for my fishing runs range between 6-10 gallons per trip. You may wish to consider using small tanks to lessen the chance water build up in your gas if you fish only one or two times a month, especially with 10% ETOH Gas.

Also when I used the onboard tank, the gas level changed at least 1/4 tank as the gas moved around due to waves. The only time the gas guage was stable was when the tank was full or the hull was still. This is common on most boats.

Enjoy!! Bob

[bluecrab]

Hi Thanks for the response.
What about the fuel water separator does that not help with water in the fuel?
thx
~blue~