Finally Splashed... Shake Down Cruise Problems

[shoelessben]

I moved last spring/early summer and with all of the chaos of starting a new job and buying a house and moving, the boat never got put in the water. So, after a year and a half on a trailer I was finally able to launch her the other night. Got her floated off of the trailer and noticed my Depth Sounder wasn't working. I launched in the evening so I had my navigation lights on, the sounder lit up, but didn't show anything. I got out to the river and opened it up. I was up on plane smoothly and quickly. Didn't go all that far and was just starting to turn back up river and the ear piercing alarm went off. Temp gauge was up around 200. I dropped it to idle and slowly made my way back up river to my dock. I kept an eye on the Temp gauge and at idle it was about 200. I am guessing that after sitting for so long my impeller seized up? By the time I got tied up in my new slip and felt that everything was properly secured it was dark and late, so I didn't have time to really look into either problem... furthermore I never messed with an impeller before so I figured I would be better served to come here first. Am I barking up the right tree?? How difficult is the impeller to change?
On the good side... having not operated my boat in over a year, it was like getting on a bike. It felt so natural backing her into the slip. I am really looking forward to this season. Too bad the wife was with me. They never seem to like this sort of adversity.

 

[papertrail]

why did you do a shakedown cruise at night?:huh:

 

[shoelessben]

I launched in the evening after work. By the time I got to the launch, got my slip assignment, got the boat off of the trailer and out on the water there was still daylight. I only took it up to speed to be sure there weren't any significant problems before going out of the holiday weekend when there is considerably more boat traffic. Due to the over heating, I made my way slowly back to the slip and docked. Having been my first time to the slip, I had to take a good amount of time to assess my situation in regards to the slip and current and tie up accordingly. I still had daylight as I docked my boat. It was during the ensuing dock line arrangements that it eventually got dark.

 

[Alegria]

Read this may give you some insights on what you are up against. Overall seems like something you might be able to do. It has PICS I love PICS!! If I remember what I read somewhere I don't think the BIII has an impeller in the outdrive like my old Alpha did so that should make the job easier for sure!!!!

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4878&highlight=impeller+replacement

 

[shoelessben]

Can I make this repair with the boat in the water?

 

[Presentation]

Can I make this repair with the boat in the water?

Is it possible? Yes. You can even find step by step in-water instructions. If you own a trailer, I would recommend you do it on land.





As to the depth gauge, mine turns on via the Acc 1 switch on the dash. Are you sure you have it turned on?

 

[shoelessben]

Thanks to all for the input. I picked up the part Friday and saturday morning my buddy and I went down to the boat and had the impeller replaced in under 2 hours. I think that after having done it once that I could get it done in under an hour now. The Impeller Replacement How-to-Guide put together by tphinney was perfect. Once again this site is the best boating resource I have happened across!!