New Owner and New to Site

mediator

New Member
Jan 2, 2011
10
Orlando Florida
Boat Info
180 Bowrider 2001,
Engines
3.0 Ltr Mercruiser
I am a proud Searay owner, of a 2000 180 Bowrider, we live part time in Panama and the rest of the time in Texas. Our boat is in Panama and we have been having a ball, going through the Panama Canal and then into the ocean to an Island off Panama call Toboga. The boat runs great, minor issues such as the speedo stopped working after our 3rd run. Cant figure where or how to get it working. Could use some help with that.
 
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Welcome aboard!
 
Good to see another Texan! As far as the speedo goes, if it's the mechanical kind that runs off water pressure, I'd check the tube and the pick-up thats on the transom.
 
I have no idea where or what to look for on the transom, everyone tells me the same thing, but I have no idea what to look for. There appears to be nothing but the engine on the transom. So I have no idea what to look for or where. Sure could use directions on how to find it. As upi can see I am really a newby to the boating areana. Thanks where in Texas we are from Houston, and have a place in Mount Pleasant and Bonham Texas.​
 
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Spent some time in Panama City and on the Canal escorting subs through. Had a blast in P.C. Welcome aboard!!!
 
Welcome aboard
 
So I am gettting the hang of this site...sort...of...Just got a 1984 SR 210 Cutty Fisherman...Hope to gain lots of info from this club....As I know nothing about the boat. I hope to find a service manual..If any one has any ideas...please let me know..Thanks
 
Welcome Aboard!
You might want to check sea reay's web site (searay.com) and look up the model/year of your boat. They should have the owners and parts manuals available on line. The speedo may be a small plastic fin off the transom or it could be incorporated into the out drive housing (then it would be a small opening facing forward). Might have some sand/debris in the opening blocking it.
 
Re: Speedo out

Thanks for your advice, it is not on the transom, it must be incorporated in the outdrive, there is a very tiny hole about 2 inches above the bottom of the fin and below the prop on the front side would that be the hole. It is very small and not much bigger than the ability to put a paper clip in. Would that be the correct Place?
 
Spent some time in Panama City and on the Canal escorting subs through. Had a blast in P.C. Welcome aboard!!!

You would not believe Panama now incredible. looks like Miami and they are still building 40 Highrises under construction with 70 more planned. 3rd World with the people but technology is catching Panama UP.
 
Re: Speedo out

Thanks for your advice, it is not on the transom, it must be incorporated in the outdrive, there is a very tiny hole about 2 inches above the bottom of the fin and below the prop on the front side would that be the hole. It is very small and not much bigger than the ability to put a paper clip in. Would that be the correct Place?

Yes...there is a notch ABOVE the prop on the front (figuring Alpha 1)... if you hit any debris it will clog. You need to take a 1/16" or 3/32" drill bit and clean it out. When you do... you will see the trapped water flow out. I always kept a bit on board, that I could turn with my hand while in the water... it happened allot.
 
Re: Speedo out

Yes...there is a notch ABOVE the prop on the front (figuring Alpha 1)... if you hit any debris it will clog. You need to take a 1/16" or 3/32" drill bit and clean it out. When you do... you will see the trapped water flow out. I always kept a bit on board, that I could turn with my hand while in the water... it happened allot.

This is the correct advice regarding the pick up for your speedo. Just be gentle and don't use a drill motor to clear it just twist the bit in there or I use a lock extractor(I'm a locksmith so I have one) but a small paper clip with a tiny hook on the end will do.
 
Hey I want to thank everyone on here that helped I got the speedo working and just realized several other things that new boat owners need to know about. When buying a used boat, these are little irritations that should be checked and maybe replaced.

1) the boards on the trailer, if 10 years or older replace them they are rotten most likely
2) Impeller on the out drive or motor
3) Check ignition key and starter
4) Have oil changed engine and outdrive
5) Depth guage is always great to have
6) Fan Belt
7) Know how to clear the intake jet for the speedo

These are the things that drove me nuts after buying the boat.
 
Also found out that the hole on the outdrive was the problem it was clogged with mud from a very dirty Canal. I used a very tiny drill bit, and hand screwed it in the hole. I first tried a paper clip that did not work. The drill worked the best because it allowed me to drag out the mud. Now it is working great.
 
The drill bit worked great, now for another question, Today I was out and when I came back in the out drive would not come up, I tried several times and then it finally came up partially. Once out of the water the Trailer switch worked to get it all the way up. What could be the problem and can the out drive be manually raised if needed.
 
The drill bit worked great, now for another question, Today I was out and when I came back in the out drive would not come up, I tried several times and then it finally came up partially. Once out of the water the Trailer switch worked to get it all the way up. What could be the problem and can the out drive be manually raised if needed.
Sounds like a bad electrical connection somewhere. Start at the batteries and work back from there!:thumbsup:
 
Keep in mind that Tilt switch will only raise the drive so far, something in the neighborhood of half way. The trailer switch will raise the drive the rest of the way. This is to keep you from raising the drive too far while the engine is running.
 
Welcome and enjoy your new boat! It already sounds like you are and you're learning the little nuances quickly!
 
Aqau said it right. There is a tilt limiting switch on the outdrive. There is also the trim indicator sender on the drive. They are on either side right where the outdrive pivots. On my old 260 DA they would only last a couple of years as the salt water would ultimately infiltrate them and destroy their electrical capabilities. Once this occured, I was unable to raise the outdrive. If your gauge still works, you can use the trailer switch to move it up when need be but BE very careful when doing this because if you go too far up you can do serious damage to your outdrive and gimbal bearing!!!
That is what I used to do until the end of the season when I got hauled. I then would have the pair replaced. If you are trailering, you can just get them replaced at your next haul!!:smt001
 

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