Official 215 Express Thread

Does anyone know how to get a hold of the Manual for the OEM Depth Guage on a 2005 215 Express Cruiser?

I made the mistake of hitting the "Set" button, and now it is not showing depth. I was trying to set a shallow alarm.

I checked the OEM Owner's Manual but couldn't find anything.

Thanks.
 
garswen said:
Does anyone know how to get a hold of the Manual for the OEM Depth Guage on a 2005 215 Express Cruiser?

I made the mistake of hitting the "Set" button, and now it is not showing depth. I was trying to set a shallow alarm.

I checked the OEM Owner's Manual but couldn't find anything.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

i would think it would reset and go back to 'normal mode' once you turn the gauge off and shut down the engine....if for some reason the gauge is direct wired to the battery just disconnect the negative wire (or positive wire) for a few seconds and see if that resets the gauge....

cliff
 
CliffA said:
i would think it would reset and go back to 'normal mode' once you turn the gauge off and shut down the engine....if for some reason the gauge is direct wired to the battery just disconnect the negative wire (or positive wire) for a few seconds and see if that resets the gauge....

cliff
Click to expand...
 
Many thanks, but I tried that right away...when in doubt, reboot. It didn't work.

Really need a Manual. Any info out there??

Thanks.
 
garswen said:
Many thanks, but I tried that right away...when in doubt, reboot. It didn't work.

Really need a Manual. Any info out there??

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Operation of an accessory won't be in the boat manual. You'd have to look at the depthfinder's manual - which did come with the original packet of information from Sea Ray. Check the owner's bag for it. In lieu of that, search for it online. If you have a Lowrance 3500 series you can google that - but it should always show the depth - I'm not aware of any setting that prevents that. It is designed to simply work automatically. I believe that even setting the shallow or deep alarms are erased when the power is turned off.

If you have a different depthfinder, search for that manual.

If it's not just showing anything, check the fuse.
 
Thank you.

I bought the boat used and didn't receive any manuals. So, I don't even know what is installed. There is nothing on the face.

Is there any way to determine what instrument was installed so I can find the manual on the internet? I know that manufacturors use many different depth finders. There is nothing on the face of the instrument showing the make/model number. Do I really need to remove it to find out?

Many thanks for your expertise!
 
OK, so you're not sure then if it's original, or not?

Remove it? Possibly. It's easy to do.

Or, google for the one I mentioned - does it look like yours? There's actually not a whole lot of depthfinders - it shouldn't be too hard to figure it out. You could post a pic, too.

Sea Ray ONLY installed depthfinders with a through-hull transducer. A previous owner could have done that (or a shop), but if it's transom-mounted then it is definitely not original.

Fuse? C'mon now, gotta answer all the questions on the test so we can be helpful!
 
Sorry, the fuse is fine.

I'll post a pix.

Thanks!
 
Anyone know off hand what size blower we have on our boats? Mine crapped out and I forgot to look at the size of the tubing.

Edit:
Found it: 1 BLOWER, BILGE 4" TURBO 4000 W/CONN
 
Last edited:
Tackleberry said:
Anyone know off hand what size blower we have on our boats? Mine crapped out and I forgot to look at the size of the tubing.

Edit:
Found it: 1 BLOWER, BILGE 4" TURBO 4000 W/CONN
Click to expand...

Lucky for me it was actually the fuse that went. Prior owner had an undersized fuse. I think it takes a 7.5 amp, and they had a 5 amp.
 
Strange alarm.
When I come off plane, I get a steady alarm for about 5 seconds. Not every time, but most times. I'm thinking temp alarm because now I'm not moving as much water and motor is hot? I can put my hand on both risers ( I just had new risers, elbows, manifolds, and outdrive rebuilt, $5,000) plus a bunch of other things.....starter, bottom paint, the list goes on...

All gauges are reading normal when it happens, including temp at 170.
Faulty sending unit?
 
Tackleberry said:
Strange alarm.
When I come off plane, I get a steady alarm for about 5 seconds. Not every time, but most times. I'm thinking temp alarm because now I'm not moving as much water and motor is hot? I can put my hand on both risers ( I just had new risers, elbows, manifolds, and outdrive rebuilt, $5,000) plus a bunch of other things.....starter, bottom paint, the list goes on...

All gauges are reading normal when it happens, including temp at 170.
Faulty sending unit?
Click to expand...

Be sure the drive fluid reservoir is completely full...when the bow goes up and down from going on/off plane the fluid level fluctuates in the reservoir....if the fluid level is a little low it can trigger the alarm....

cliff
 
Tackleberry said:
Strange alarm.
When I come off plane, I get a steady alarm for about 5 seconds. Not every time, but most times. I'm thinking temp alarm because now I'm not moving as much water and motor is hot? I can put my hand on both risers ( I just had new risers, elbows, manifolds, and outdrive rebuilt, $5,000) plus a bunch of other things.....starter, bottom paint, the list goes on...

All gauges are reading normal when it happens, including temp at 170.
Faulty sending unit?
Click to expand...

I have the same issue and can’t figure it out either. My gauges are all reading normal, drive lube is full. My alarm will only go off after a run at 3500 rpm. Anything lower between 3000 and 3200 there is no alarm.
 
CliffA said:
Be sure the drive fluid reservoir is completely full...when the bow goes up and down from going on/off plane the fluid level fluctuates in the reservoir....if the fluid level is a little low it can trigger the alarm....

cliff
Click to expand...
My reservoir is full, and disconnected and capped.
It was leaking last season, so my mechanic said just cap it off.

I would get the low fluid alarm last season when it leaked down. Same sounding alarm this season.
 
H2ONUT said:
I have the same issue and can’t figure it out either. My gauges are all reading normal, drive lube is full. My alarm will only go off after a run at 3500 rpm. Anything lower between 3000 and 3200 there is no alarm.
Click to expand...
I don't go over 18 knts, and about 30 seconds after coming off plane, I get the alarm.
 
With the drive fluid sensor out of the equation, the only things left on that engine of that era is oil pressure and engine temp. The oil pressure sensor could be getting flaky or there could be an obstruction somewhere in the raw water cooling system as normally coming off plane should not cause the temp to rise like that. A common place for obstructions are the oil cooler, fuel cooler (if you have fuel injection) and, most likely, the t-stat housing.

The only other things that cause "horns" are the CO detector and the depthfinder.
 
Tackleberry said:
My reservoir is full, and disconnected and capped.
It was leaking last season, so my mechanic said just cap it off.

I would get the low fluid alarm last season when it leaked down. Same sounding alarm this season.
Click to expand...

Not a great idea...the positive pressure created on the fluid throughout the drive from the weight of the fluid in the reservoir acts to keep water out of the drive in case there is a leaking gasket or seal in the drive...the fluid would leak out of the drive thus preventing water from entering the drive....this acts to protect the drive internal components from corrosion and to insure they are lubricated properly...by watching the fluid level in the reservoir you would know if/when you have a leak in the drive and can make repairs before any damage is done to the drive...

IMO I would also consider finding a new 'mechanic'....no competent mechanic would suggest making the fluid reservoir inoperative for the reasons above just because it was leaking...replacing the reservoir is a very simple job.....

Good luck...the 215EC is a great boat...we really enjoyed ours...

cliff
 
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Looking for a swim ladder for a 96 215 express cruiser.
Numbers 46 through 50 on the attached.

anyone know where to start online?
 

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Mine is definitely an after market replacement but it had it when I bought the boat so I don't know where it came from. It works very well though. Similar to this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amarine-made-Stainless-Steel-Telescoping-Ladder/dp/B00COCD2BG. You want at least a couple of rungs under the water when extended for ease of boarding (especially in an emergency).

One problem - my ladder tilts inwards toward the transom when extended rather than holding at 90 degrees to the waterline. This does make boarding harder. I am looking at stand-offs to deal with that but if you can get one that holds perpendicular to the swim platform, that would be well worth it.

Best
Eddie
 
Took out maiden voyage on our 96 215 Express Cruiser Saturday. What a great boat!! We’ll probably only get out another time or two, but can’t wait till next year!!

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