First real outing since purchased

Yesterday was our first good outing since purchasing the 85 SN 2001. We were able to launch and run the local slalom course at the ski club. The boat did really well, and the wife adapted to a ski boat pretty good. Dropping after passing through the buoys still needs work. However, the perfect pass picked up the magnets and did great in the course.

We did get some great sunset pics:



The slalom course is back in the cove where the sun is setting. There was a newer Ski Nautique heading in to ski the course as we left.

Here is another view of the sunset:

Our outing, though

The outing was not without a couple of small issues that I will be searching here to try to answer.

One time when about to load, the boat did not start all the way, but the starter kept spinning freely. It did this until I started the boat again. We turned the boat off and on several times, so I guess I have an intermittent issue to learn about.

Also, I could not get a good read on the tranny fluid. I tried to take the level at the end of our outing, after running the course, etc. I could see fluid in there, and see it vibrating, but every time I pulled the dipstick, it seemed to have fluid well above the two lines. Maybe I should have checked it before running the course and all the turning, starting, and stopping?

Last thing to add, is I needed a new cover. After striking out with a Westland sharkskin ready to ship one for an 19 foot competition ski boat (it hit the window wrong and would not cover the rub rail on both sides at the window), I bought an Enduracover Custom Fit through iboats. It was actually made to order by a company called Carver Cover, who I called and talked with prior to ordering it. It came with two snaps already sewn into the bow and stern are for support poles, although the bow one seems unnecessary on the 85. It seems to fit pretty darn good. So if anyone wants to know how their custom fit cover looks on a 85 Ski Nautique, here goes:







The blue noodle in the back is because I don't want the ratchet to touch the gel coat. That would be the only fault I have found so far, is no flap to protect the gel coat back there if you do not hand tie the cover rope.

The boat seems to need a little gas from the throttle to start. What happened that time is I did not give it any gas, and it turned over, sounded like it started, then died. Once it failed to start, I could hear what I assumed was the starter motor spinning freely, but not engaging any of the flywheel teeth.

I tried pulling the key, and hitting the ignition button on the dash, which sticks, so I did not really even hit it, then turned the key all the way to the right, starting the boat again with a pump of gas.

After it started, it ran correctly up to the point of putting it on the trailer, and it shut off correctly with no continuing starter noise.

I should have it in my driveway this weekend again, unfortunately, to winterize. I will check all the wires and take readings and see if I have a voltage drop.

I know it is a year or so old battery, but I did not install it and take a great look at the wires.

Thanks.

Richard

Looking Good!

What a good looking color scheme.

Music City Water Ski Club has their course on Percy Priest Reservoir.

Not the most popular lake around Middle Tennessee for skiers and boarders.

It is on a part of the lake you do not want to go to unless your with someone that knows the lake or have studied its depths, especially without trim. Not far from the course there is an under water rock wall that would really make for a bad day if your just skimming across the water upriver with know knowledge of the lake.

If I am not there, I am usually at Tim's Ford, which is a great, deep lake.

Sweet looking set up.

Waldo

Are there any issues with pulling the starter over the winter and re-installing this fall.

I am off to uncover the boat right now and pull the plugs. 32 degrees tonight. I will winterize later.

You don't need to pull the plugs for one night's low of 32.

No problem. I don't drain for 27 either!

81nautique wrote: Hollywood wrote: You don't need to pull the plugs for one night's low of 32. Agreed but what bothers me is no two weather stations give you the same overnight temps, weather channel show 27 and local news shows 35, WTH. I drove down to storage and drained even though I'm winterizing Sunday. Just couldn't sleep without doing it.

I've had temps well into the teens for a week or more without any issues at all. Put an old school trouble light with an incandescent bulb under the engine cover and it'll put out more than enough heat to prevent freezing.

Hah, I'm with Alan, mine is still on the lift, drained it Weds night just to be safe and sleep easy. Was snowing hard this AM, calling for lows in the 20's the next couple nights. Most likely putting mine away for the winter this weekend also.