A few “new to cruiser” questions

I’ve been an open bow boat owner for 12 years, but finally made the move to a 2004 320 Sundancer last December. I summerized a few weeks ago and still getting accustomed to the boat. This site has been a great resource and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge. I have several questions that I’m still researching answers for, but I thought I ask a few that are bugging me at the moment.

BTW - I have 350 Mags less than 300 hrs with V-Drives. Fresh water lake in KY

1). My port side engine seems to run around 159-161 and the starboard runs around 154-156. Is this normal for there to be a 3-4 deg difference?

2). This is the first inboard twin engine boat I’ve driven. The steering wheel has approx 3/4- 1 inch of play. Also it turns smooth, but not easy like my last power steering single eng I/O. Normal?

3) At idle port is 600 and starboard is 630.

4) Kohler Gen starts great cold when I leave the dock. Runs smooth with and without load. We stayed on the hook this weekend and the gen needed a few tries to start in the morning. I let it run for an hour or so while we had breakfast. Then at lunch I tried to start again with no luck. Any suggestions? I realize this last question can have multiple solutions. Just tossing it out there.

TIA.

Answers based on my opinion:
1) Close enough for government work. Anyone's guess how accurate the senders/guages are. Probably running a 160 deg. thermostat, so if you go several degrees higher than that, look for issues. Invest in a infered thermometer and check the engines/riser temps from time to time. Note any changes.

2) Should turn easy. Check the steering system, probably hydolic, for oil etc.

3) Again close enough for government work, imo.

4) no clue.

Same as Golfman on 1-3. #4 check/ change out your fuel filters. Should be a regular sized can filter from fuel tank and then an inline style near the gennie.

Maybe???

One thought on number 1 - if you don't know when your impellers were last changed it might be a great idea to do that now. Typical replacement should be every 2 years but I know lots of folks that let them go much, much longer

Regarding the generator, start by changing the spark plugs which is a very common fail item. Most, especially Kohler, users go 1 heat range hotter.

Also, on the generator, it's not good for them to run without a load. If you want to run it, turn on a stove burner or something to provide a load for it.

And do not start or shut down with a load. Doing so will ruin the voltage regulator.

Close enough for government work, haven't heard that one in a long time, my dad used to always say it.

Regarding the temperature difference, one of your engines may be heating your hot water tank as well, that engine will run a few degrees cooler.

mrsrobinson said:

Close enough for government work, haven't heard that one in a long time, my dad used to always say it.

Regarding the temperature difference, one of your engines may be heating your hot water tank as well, that engine will run a few degrees cooler.

Click to expand...

"good enough for the girls I run around with"

Another oldie...but goodie.

Stee6043 said:

"good enough for the girls I run around with"

Another oldie...but goodie.

Click to expand...

Birds of a feather…

When I run my genny I turn on the battery charger, water heater and AC to load it up. I'm on my third season doing it this way and so far it's working. The generator needs to be run so even if you're not planning on running it all day run it for an hour just to put run time on it.