One thing after another this weekend. Should I expect days like this in the future?

[wellspun]

Went to Havasu last weekend for the first boat trip of the season, and I don't know what I did to piss off the boat gods, but they were not happy with me. I have a 07 24Ve with 35 hours on it. I purchased it as a new boat with 20 hours on it, but it had been sitting for most of it's 3 year existence at that point. I did an oil change and impeller change immediately, and had no major issues the 4 or 5 times we took it out last season.

We just put 3k into the stereo, and got it back from the shop last week. Full Wet Sounds system, window tint, and black powder coated tower. I left for Havasu excited for the season, and feeling pretty good about my boat at that point. This is where things took a turn.

About a mile from our house we notice that we've lost a tire on the trailer. Not only did we lose the tire, but the fender is hammered. Completely curled. By the way, the last trip out was an 8 1/2 hour ride back from Havasu after flipping a shackle somehow, and having two blowouts on the way home. We just had that fender repaired a month ago.

So we get up the next day, pull the fender back with another truck (it was BAD), and change out the tire. No biggie, but sucks to have to fix the other fender and tire (more $$$).

We get to the gas station, and start filling the boat. I jump in to turn the key and see where our gas is. Nothing. The nav lights work, the bilge and blower work. Nothing at the ignition. So we spend 30 mins there and discover that one of the main power cables has detached from the battery, due to not being crimped at the factory. Really?

Whew, lets get in the water finally. We launch the boat, start heading out, and I see that my speedometer, fuel guage, and taps aren't working. I forgot to mention that the stereo wasn't working correctly from the get go, with the tower speakers working sporadically. We handled that problem prior to the launch, but I should have anticipated problems due to there crap job wiring the stereo.

We keep heading out, looking for beach to pull into and check this new problem. Hey look, the speedometer works now. Um, ok, we'll take that. After being underway for 10 mins or so, the forward engine/drive area starts making noises. We lift the engine hatch, and see that there's a bit of water spray and noise coming from the front right area of the engine compartment. WTF??? Really??? So now we turn around and head back to the dock. We decide instead to go to the channel, take a deep breath, and take a look at WTF is going on. Almost immediately the engine/drive noise stops, and no water spray in the engine compartment. We stopped in the channel, took a look at things, and decided that we don't really know enough about boats to diagnose what's going on with our boat.

After some deliberation about whether to trailer the boat and blow off the whole weekend, we decide to take her out for a spin, see what happens, and go from there. From that point on, we never heard heard the noise again. We wakeboarded and cruised for a few hours then went back to the house.

While cleaning the boat, my buddy tests the taps again, and miracle of miracles, they work. So we went out yesterday, and taps worked, speedometer worked, stereo worked, and the engine sounded fine. I have a hard time believing that all these issues fixed themselves, and trying to get it in for service asap. The most concerning thing for me would be the drive/engine issues, obviously. If anyone has an idea of what that could possibly be, please share.

The weekend ended up being ok, but was HIGHLY frustrating, and I'm a bit concerned, seeing as I have trips planned for the next two weekends. They can't get it into service til next Tuesday, and since yesterday was uneventful, I'm probably going to cross my fingers and hope we get through next weekend without incident. Please tell me these kind of weekends aren't common.

[Jason B]

Once you get things shaken out, it'll be fine. Just gotta work the bugs out.

[Joeprunc]

Take a look at all your ground wires, I would bet 99% of your electrical issues are ground related.

As far as engine/drive area (not really sure what your are referring to), could you take a picture of what was leaking? Could you see exactly where it was leaking? Was it a drip, mist, or spray?

Your trailer, these are usually the most neglected boat items. If you've blown out 3 of your 4 tires, in the past month, I'd replace the 4th before it goes on you. Just because the tire tread looks good doesn't mean the tire is still good. Especially if the trailer has been sitting for three years (flat spots develop). If you haven't already I would also make sure the trailer bearings have been repacked recently.

We've all had our harsh weekends, but hopefully once you get all the bugs worked out you should be fine. Also I'd recommend if you are leaving your boat for a long time, I'd start it every couple months or so to keep things in check. Just because there are low hours on a boat doesn't mean its still in tip top shape.

[wellspun]

It was the very front part of the engine compartment, all the way at the bottom, on the right side. It was spraying a bit, nothing too dramatic, but was worrisome none the less. The rattling/knocking sound seemed to be coming from the drive area located right in front of the back seat in the center. It did this for approximately 3 to 5 mins, disappeared, and never returned through the rest of the weekend. I have NO idea, and worry that it's a sign of something bad to come. Hard to rationalize that it worked itself out completely, and won't be an issue in the future.

Again, I can't get it in to have someone look at it until after this weekend, and I have a family trip planned this weekend. I'm planning on using it this weekend, and if there's ANY sign of trouble, pull it from the water immediately. Like I said, we used it all day yesterday, from Windsor to Topac and back, then back to Copper Canyon (a good stretch, if you know the area), and never had an issue.

[Domsz06]

well your electrical problems sound like a loose ground like was stated before. I had one loose ground on mine from rewiring my stereo and once I found it bamn thing never had an issue. Boats are harder to ground since you always have to go back to the battery.

Take a picture of what was leaking in the engine area.

Replace ALL tires. there was a member on here that said trailer tires are only good for 4-5 years, since they sit so much it makes them go bad. You think they are ok, but they are not. Also DO NOT CHEAP on tires. Get the correct rated one's for the load. Could be you didn't have the correct one's on there (not saying you did or didn't, but the previous owner might not have put the right one's on since correct load weight tires are expensive due to thicker sidewalls)

You will get it all worked out and she will run like a champ. The worst thing for a boat is to sit. Those that sit for a long time always have issues, you have it so use it.

[talltigeguy]

You will get it all worked out and she will run like a champ. The worst thing for a boat is to sit. Those that sit for a long time always have issues, you have it so use it.

I have said many times on this forum that if I were looking at 07 boats, one with 35 hours and one with 250 hours, I would be more concerned about the 35 hours boat. Because things like this happen. Boats simply need attention and when they sit, then this kind of crap happens.

Good luck with getting all of the bugs worked out. I have to think any kind of spraying hose did not fix itself and you need to climb in there and find what is happening. Sounds like the days of 35 hours in 3 years are over...so that will be good for your machine.

[Dave S]

Don't worry, you just have to work the bugs out. I have an 09 Z1 I got in October and have had a few issues that I am working out as well with about 27 hours on it now.

[jwanck11]

If you've been sitting too long, your legs will fall asleep and things will stiffen up. Getting up might be hard, but once up and around it gets easier to move about.

Same principle applies.

[G-MONEY]

remember a bad day on the boat is better than any day at work.

[Domsz06]

I have said many times on this forum that if I were looking at 07 boats, one with 35 hours and one with 250 hours, I would be more concerned about the 35 hours boat. Because things like this happen. Boats simply need attention and when they sit, then this kind of crap happens.

Good luck with getting all of the bugs worked out. I have to think any kind of spraying hose did not fix itself and you need to climb in there and find what is happening. Sounds like the days of 35 hours in 3 years are over...so that will be good for your machine.

Exactly my point

Don't worry, you just have to work the bugs out. I have an 09 Z1 I got in October and have had a few issues that I am working out as well with about 27 hours on it now.

indeed

If you've been sitting too long, your legs will fall asleep and things will stiffen up. Getting up might be hard, but once up and around it gets easier to move about.

Same principle applies.

good thoughts.

[jschnip]

remember a bad day on the boat is better than any day at work.

How True!

[GIZMO]

my guess on the noise and water spray is the pss seal. Possible sitting so long it lost its adjustment or picked up some corrosion on the mating surface?

[chuckhoenig]

Guys,

Forgive my lack of proper terminology....You may have a loose or missing plug on the cooling system. Mine are blue, and are located in various locations along the water lines. I imagine that with the motor running, and pressure in the system you could have water spraying out in a jet.

Chuck

[chuckhoenig]

Completely disregard my previous post. Now that I see the pic, it definitely isn't that.


Chuck

[wellspun]

I'll mention that to the service shop when I drop it off on Tuesday. Weird that it would start doing that, then stop 8 minutes later and not happen again over the next day and a half of serious usage. Has me a bit concerned for this weekend, but I don't have a lot of options, and I'm not going to cancel the trip. I guess we'll take her out, and at the first sign of a problem put it back on the trailer.

I also think it's a ground problem, and hopefully we fixed that (there was a wire hanging free in the battery compartment after the stereo work, which we handled). The only thing still not working correctly is the fuel gauge, which is stuck on E.