acpilot

I am wondering if anyone else has had issues with their vehicles running bad after launching their boats. I have a Dodge Durango and it tends to stall once or twice after I launch. When launching the boat my tail pipe is just in the water as you can hear it bubbling away. I never shut it off of course. Anyhow, it will pull away fine, however, if I come to a stop in order to go into reverse to park the trailer it will usually die. Starts right up, but may die again once or twice again i.e as I pull away after disconnecting the trailer. I'm not sure if it's pressure builing up, or some sensor getting wet. Just fishing for ideas. And yes, I've already got the "it's a Dodge" answer from my lake buddies!

I just replaced my Faria Speedometer with a new one which was sent to me under warranty. I just plugged in the 4-5 pin connector in the back and the red and black wires just as they were attached to the old one. Took it out on the lake for the fist time and the speed was out by about 5 mph until 15 mph and then it pegs at 50mph. I know the exact speed because the Perfect Pass is bang on as I checked it with a GPS. I could always just use the PP, however, I am the type that likes to have everything working properly. Any ideas?

The ramp is not steep at all, hence getting the tail pipe in the water to get the boat off the trailer. It does it with all levels of fuel in the tank. Again, my guess is something is getting wet or something to do with the tail pipe/muffler getting wet.

Awesome, I'll give it a try at the lake next week. I don't have the old guage as I had to send it in, however, I'll just loosen the dash and take a screw driver with me on the lake and try them all.

I am again curious on this thermostat issue. I am going through the Mercruiser info that came with the boat and it is showing I should have a 71C/160F thermostat. I am just wondering why I am running at 175F as are others? Did the engines not come with 160F thermostats?

Yes the perfect pass is connected to the paddle wheel.

No, I don't get a check engine light. It will stall once or twice after a launch. I have started revving it a bit thinking maybe that will help clear it.

Thanks for the info so far. The temp issue I am glad to hear is okay as it will run at 175 all day. I mentioned before that it drops 5 degrees when I'm at idle but come to think of it , it may be only a needle width or so but I'll keep an eye on it. The hesitation during acceleration I believe and hope is only a clogged filter. The reason I am suspecting it is that it ran awesome the first 1/2 hour or so and then I noticed the unsmoothness when at speed. I am planning to some methyl hydrate ( I believe that's what it's called) In the tank. Change the fuel water separator filter to see if it clears up. I am also going to change the inline fuel filter as well. Anyone had this issue and can pass on some advice it would be great. I am curious if people have changed the inline fuel filter where they have bought them, the type theve used, and since my boat is at the lake and not at my home, the fuel hose size as well because I'll probably need to know that to grad a filter. If all this doesn't clear it up I 'll do the cap and rotor and plugs.

I am wondering what other are doing to stop water from pooling on their boat covers in the rain. I have never had an issue and have used the Taylor-Made pole and strap kit under my cover for a few years. During the off season it is inside, however, during the summer when not in use it sits near my travel trailer on the trailer. Hence indoor or under cover not an option. Anyhow, as anyone from the Pacwest can relate we have had a load of rain lately. I just heard from a fellow camper that he just bailed about 15 gallons of water off the cover at the bow of my boat. I guess with all the hard rain it was too much for the straps. Anyhow, I was wondering what others do, ie. PVC supports etc. Looking for ideas.

Evolution Covers Guy's name is Cory and everyone who has one swears by them.

The tire thing is great advice, however, it will vary with the miles you tow and the climate your in. Here on the wet coast we don't need to worry about them drying out and cracking. Now as far the brake fluid in the reservoir, is it just standard brake fluid?

bccollins Don't beat yourself up. I have done the exact same thing. I am guessing you bought the tall Moeller Fluid Extracter. Mine was to have a screw on dip stick adapter which wasn't in the box. I ended up putting the small tube down the dip stick hole and then using a rag to seal it. What a mess! I think I will use your method next time or I am going to try and buy or manufacture a screw type adapter for the threads on the dip stick for a good seal.

Wiggles Looks great with the stickers removed. I think the only reason I keep mine is for the "I'm a pilot and I have wings on my boat thing". Anyhow, was that pic taken at Grant's Narrows near Pitt Lake? How is the boating there? I've always been nervous about Pitt Lake since I almost ran my old stern drive up on to a sand bar. Have you been to Alouette yet this year?

I was wondering if anyone knows what size tires and bolt pattern are on the VM Custom trailers. My boat is still deep in storage and a place in town has trailer tire and rims on sale. Since mine didn't come with a spare I thought I might pick one up. I took a look at them today and they are the Carslile Tires also came with my trailer. Just not sure of the size. Thanks

prv321 Thanks for the info. I can't believe that I have been trailering this long and didn't have a spare. For a guy who is mocked by his friends because he has every safety and security device known to man on his boat I can't believe I have tempted fate this long. I could only imagine the wreck I would have been if I had a blow out and had to leave my Baby at the side of the highway while I go looking for a tire! Anyhow, thanks again for the pics and I believe I am going to mount it just like you have.

prv321 Great idea and thanks for the pics. That is perfect, I was always thinking of the trailer frame and never thought about bow guide support. Any problems with the bracket sliding down because the support is round and not square? Also curious how long you've had this set up and if you have had any issues with the weight of the tire and road vibrations being too much for the support weld? Thanks again

I just picked up a couple pair of these car dollies so I can move my boat around in the garage. I have always been maneuvering my boat around by hand and I think it is very hard on the trailer's tandem wheels as they end up parked with side stress on the ( not aligned straight). It is also a pain and a 2 person job as well. I saw these on sale and think it will make things alot easier. For all the Canadians out there I bought them at Princess Auto since they are 1/2 price this week at $50 for two.

Thanks for the tire size answer. Now I need to focus on the best place to mount the spare which won't interfere with loading and unloading the boat. Any pictures or ideas would be great. Thanks in advance.

I am also curious of how different people have mounted the spare tire on their trailers. If anyone has some ideas or photos of the best place to mount for ease to get to and away from the chance of hitting it during putting the boat back on the trailer. Thanks.

I have an elite bowrider and am thinking about adding a little bling. I have seen on the net that a guy is selling the chrome dash insert and switch insert. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they have done this , and are they fairly universal. I will post a pic of my current one. Mine seems to be set back and the ones I see are more straight but the screw positions look the same. Any help would be great.

This is what I was looking at buying and curious if anyone has tried it or knows that it will fit. Thanks

Never less than mid grade here. It is funny though, when pumping gas in the truck I have a scowl on my face but when I move ahead 25' and start pumping the expensive stuff in the boat I have a huge grin.

Wiggles Welcome to the site. I must say I am also a fan of the orange and that graphics package. Maybe see you on one of the local lakes.

Dreamer The new boat looks awesome! It is always nice to see another Canuck on the forum. Anyhow, I am wondering if you can fill me in a bit on Shawnigan Lake. My in-laws are in Cobble Hill and I have thought about bringing the boat over and rpping the kids and their cousins around but I wasn't sure about Shawnigan Lake. Is it super busy? Any areas which should be avoided due to hazards or shallowness etc.? How about the best launch to use and good areas of the lake to use for watersports. Thanks

Totalperformance Nice boat and welcome to the family of lower mainland Centurion owners. Just as a note I bought my Perfect Pass Wakeboard Pro brand new off the net. Just keep your eyes peeled to Ebay. We do our boating at Lake Whatcom, I'll keep an eye out for your boat.