jimzonaboat

Just an update for anyone tracking this thread. So far this season I have only had this trouble code pop up one time (actually twice in the same day to be specific). I was easily able to reset the ECM with the TechMate Scan tool. I started keeping that on the boat just in case. When I got the boat back home, I reseated all of the connections: 2 at the ECM, 1 at the Pedal Position Sensor (where the throttle links to), and 1 at the Throttle Body/Air Intake. So far it hasn't acted up again this year. Hopefully that's all it took was to reseat the connections...fingers crossed!

rawinnin - good idea; I think I'll end up using the back drain also as a fill once I get a 2nd pump! But it would be a good idea to have the 2nd drain for the factory drain pump as well.

Just following up on this post and hopefully this will help others avoid what has now been a $1600 waste of money and so far a headache. When I finally got back to the States last fall and got started on some of the boat projects I had planned - I spent the majority of a day scratching my head, cussing a bit, researching online, etc to see how to install this Bimini. Keep in mind - I ordered this from Fineline/Centurion as I was told they could make one for the tower since Metcraft had gone out of business. Overall it looks good (when not installed on the boat) but I don’t think this was made for my boat; or if Metcraft gave Fineline/Centurion the schematics they are very wrong. The major things I noted are as follows: 1) There were a few set screws missing and no screws to fasten the mounts to the tower. No big deal, as I have plenty of stainless steel screws and set screws. 2) The tower already had holes drilled and tapped for the mounting brackets, however the mounting brackets for the tower have a flat surface on them, which makes it nearly impossible to have a good fit on the Evolution Tower which is curved. This makes it so that the screws carry a lot of extra torque which isn’t good on that cast aluminum tower. There are shims that I was supposed to have received - and Fineline did send them to me after I followed up with them, but even with the shims the brackets don't fit entirely snug. 3) The width of the Bimini where it connects to the mounts is way too wide. On the main part of the tower (main curved cast aluminum part), the brackets are 69” center to center. The long poles on the Bimini were 78-79” center to center. This makes it virtually impossible to mount the Bimini on the main part of the tower. You can’t actually, without severely bending the Bimini and putting way too much pressure on the brackets which will cause them to strip the screws because they can’t be flush mounted - hence needing the shims. 4) I’ve already got at least one hole stripped on the tower. I was extremely careful in mounting this as I knew in advance from others online that it was a delicate tower for the screws. Needless to say I’m pretty disappointed with it. As is, I can’t use it. I spent over $1600 for the Bimini with S&H and for that kind of money it should have fit out of the box! Basically where it stands right now, I need to find someone that can re-work the frame to size it correctly for the tower, which I'm sure will be more $$. If not this was a huge waste of money. I could have bought a lot of sunscreen otherwise. In my opinion - anyone wanting a bimini for the Evo Towers - don't bother with an OEM unless you live in Merced, CA and can bring your boat to Fineline... So much for shade this year

OK - now that I got my dang boat garage out of the way (See post here) I can finally get down to business with the custom bag. Anyone have any thoughts on the attached? These are the best dimensions I can squeeze on the port side with the Sideswipe exhaust.

Well, I got absolutely none of the actual boat projects done this past winter that I had wanted to do - like the ballast upgrade. I also haven't been on here much at all! I did manage to finish my new garage though! It took a lot longer (and a lot more $$$) than I thought. I can now keep the boat indoors, A/C, waxed and polished, and not to mention doing all the maintenance indoors in the A/C. Boat and owner are super happy and now getting out to the lake and coming back home are much easier without having to take everything out and put it back in each trip! Onto the ballast setup for surfing next!

Yea that's going to be my first step to look at all the connections. I'll let it sit for the moment though since the cover is on the boat and it's in my neighbors driveway...at least until my nice new boat garage is finally finished

Last trip of the season my Avalanche went into power reduction mode. I was cruising around and then backed off the throttle at which point I got the buzzer every minute and no throttle. I turned the boat and batteries off for about a minute and then back on and the throttle operated normally for the rest of the day. My engine information is: Year: 2006 Make: PCM Excalibur 330 Model: 15-570V-01 (5.7L 350 CID LH MPI) (GM) Serial #: 462755 Firing Order: 18436572 Manuf: 6/21/2006 I went ahead and bit the bullet and got the TechMate Scan tool from Rinda Technologies to see what was going on under the hood. This is the information it provided: Code 81 Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) Fault TAC Error, PPS 1&2 Correlation Fault TAC Error, Limited Authority In the PCM Digital Throttle Control Diagnostic Supplement (attached if anyone needs it) it lists a variety of combinations, but this exact combination isn't mentioned. Anyone experience this and what the fix was? This happened last year as well and the shop replaced the Throttle Position Sensor on the Throttle Body. Digital Throtle Control Supplement.pdf

I haven't been out at all this summer yet but.....Agree with WakeDoc on the downtime off the grid. I usually have my phone in a pelican case for emergencies, but never hear it ring or take it out. I absolutely love having a boat and am even building it it's very own garage this fall. It's so relaxing and enjoyable with family and friends and making those memories. I think it's something you have to like and be committed to though, and it doesn't hurt to be mechanically/electrically astute and like tinkering with things. That helps on the maintenance cost for sure.

^^^ "some bad tush design" ...that's not what I said LMAO

I check craigslist every once in a while. I think it would be nice to have for the room and to relax, but not for $450; especially seeing that I'm either in the driver's seat or riding, it wouldn't really benefit me much. You might see if a local upholstery shop can make you one to match. You could probably have one made, and have it embroidered with some bad tush design for less than $450. Of course, if money ain't a thang....

Looks like the oil drain line to me. I usually run it through the drain plug in the back and then hook a 12V pump up to that line after the engine is warm. Sucks the oil out quick; as Skibumm noted otherwise take a while.

uh oh...sorry to hear that RhuntIII

I had put together a little tour of Lake Anna a while ago for some of my friends new to boating. Thought I would post and share for anyone else areound central VA that might be new to boating or to this lake. I'm sure there's plenty more stuff that could be added, but what I've pointed out are the main points of interest for 1) wakeboarding/surfing and 2) drinking I don't know what else you'd want to know... Lake Anna - Tour.pdf

Looks good! Since my GF is claiming the shirt that came with the membership I'll need a couple! Will PM.

Just thought I'd link to two other posts in case anyone wanted to revisite those threads - some lively conversation to boot. See pg 2 on the first link about half way down for Centurion Rudder tunning instructions that Kevin posted. http://www.centurioncrew.com/index.php/topic/3117-boat-steering-issue/page-1?hl=tunning and http://www.centurioncrew.com/index.php/topic/2055-free-wheeling/?hl= grind on the rudder