Ghost Starting Issue

2005 260 Sundancer, 4th season with the boat with a total of 700hrs (520 at purchase). Outside of replacing the risers at purchase, leaking outdrive arm, and corroded outdrive o-ring, its been fairly smooth.

Couple weeks ago I take the boat for a spin and tie it up without the cover (anticipating taking it out the next day); of course this results in a pop-up shower. Next day, boat starts without issue but I notice 1/4" water in the faces of 2 of my gauges.

Spend about 3 hours on the hook and go to start... cranks, but no start. Try again, same. And a third time, same. Frustrated I start looking for issues or anything amiss, particularly since I'd had a 3yr old flipping switches and I may have missed something. Find the cutoff switch in the "OFF" position and immediately feel relieved its not something worse. I go to start and hear a 'click' in the engine compartment but no crank. I also notice the Smartcraft gauges are not turning on, though I'm getting the customary beep when I turn the ignition to "ON". I try several more times with no luck, to include getting a jump from another boat. Eventually get towed in and try it on shore power... same, click and no start/crank.

Fast forward a week when I can get back to the boat, I halfheartedly attempt to start to see if anything magically changes and voila, starts up without issue. Tried starting on battery alone and it started without issue like a champ. My concern is getting stuck out on the hook again. Is this issue familiar with anyone? While I am glad the boat starts I would like to identify what caused the problem in the first place.

Thanks.

UPDATE: Ended up being a loose cable at the starter. Turns out the lack of power to the smartcraft lcd was a dead give-away.

That single click you hear when trying to start it is a sign that the starter solenoid is going bad.

A couple of taps with a hammer may get it to start when it acts up.

Though I would recommend replacing it before you take the boat (and 3 y/o) out again.

Sounds like water got somewhere it doesn't belong. Voltage from the key switch is easy to monitor at the slave solenoid. If it happens again try jumping the 2 large slave terminals together at the top of your motor.

scoflaw said:

Sounds like water got somewhere it doesn't belong. Voltage from the key switch is easy to monitor at the slave solenoid. If it happens again try jumping the 2 large slave terminals together at the top of your motor.

Click to expand...

Something I thought as well, though it was odd the engine cranked the first few times (with the kill-switch in OFF, unknown to me). I also opted to replace the solenoid as well as a precaution.

Updated the original post to include the solution. Ended up being a loose cable at the starter. Turns out the lack of power to the smartcraft lcd was a dead give-away.

What about the master solenoid on the starter?
cliff

New starter. I did the screw driver across the terminals there as well and the engine turned over.