www.iFourWinns.com

My beloved bowrider has finally let me down!

I believe she knows that I want to get rid of her and she's rearing her head in protest. Had a prospective buyer coming this weekend but now she sits on the trailer.... same thing happened when I sold the H200, I had to put $600 worth of parts on her between the deal and the pickup because he bought a running boat! It needed a fuel pump and an engine mounted water pump.

Here's the current situation....
My boat had sat for the last three weeks in the creek slip without being started or me even going to see her (neglect?). Last Sunday we finally had opportunity to go see her and she wouldn't start, just clicked at the starter. A couple of hammer taps on the starter and she fired right up. Assumed the starter was just sticking from lack of use and went on our merry way. She restarted after our swim and at the dock several times.... yesterday she turned over slowly but fired. Went out to our local cove (2 miles) the kids went swimming I had a couple of beverages while soaking up some rays and then it was time to go... No start. I tried the tapping of the starter again several times but to no avail. I ended up having to call my neighbour with his 32' carver to come tow me back to the boat launch, get my trailer and load her on. A process that took three hours with wet cold kids on board and my patience very thin....
I'm not convinced it's the starter though... I am going to start by putting the batteries on a charger and bring them up to full capacity, they currently run are only at 12.25 volts. We've had alot of rain lately so the bilge has probably been running alot plus the boat has just been sitting. this is a pipe dream though because my booster pack didn't help the situation yesterday. If that doesn't fix it then I'll have to yank the starter and have it tested, rebuilt or replaced.
Oh the joys of boat ownership...But thank God for good neighbours. Did I mention that the only other boats anywhere close or going by us were sailboats? Who knows how long I would have been stuck out there.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

It happens to the best of us. I got our first tow two weekends ago. SOunds to me like dead batteries though.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Yep...I am going to go with dead batteries as well.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I don't for sure know if your boat has one...but the older OMCs have 2 solenoids in the starter circuit...one is the normal starter solenoid on the Chevy style starter and the other is an assist solenoid that is mounted up on the engine bracket with the trim solenoids....in fact this solenoid is the same as the 2 trim solenoids...

The way it works is that when you turn the key on...the yellow/red wire from the key energizes this solenoid and then it sends battery voltage to the starter solenoid...so a rusty connection on any of the terminals of both solenoids can cause this...I had this issue recently and since I got a click (then it would always start) I checked the assist solenoid first...the terminals looked a bit rusty so I cleaned them and no problem since...

I got a remote starter switch (it is a momentary switch that you hook up to the solenoid to bypass it to start the engine)...next time it clicks I will hook this up to the assist solenoid...if it then starts I know its the assist solenoid if not its probably the starter solenoid itself...

of course look at all your battery terminals first including the grounds....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

+1 for LouC's comments. My buddy with a 2002 H260 has had a starter solenoid fail twice. Both times had symptoms close to what you have described above. Check this $14 part first before pulling starter.

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

Thanks guys...
I haven't had a chance to do anything yet since we went to help the in-laws build a deck for the last three days but I did take the day off tomorrow so we'll see what happens. I'll search for the assist solenoid first while the batteries are charging.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I checked everything and couldn't get the starter to engage by jumping power directly to it.... so I removed it and took it to the rebuilders. The starter was severely corroded and will need a rebuild. I should have it back by Friday.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Had the same thing happen on an old Thundercraft a few years ago, got it rebuilt in Bayridge off McKay St.

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2000 235 Sundowner
Previously 2007 Horizon 190
2004 Chevy Avalanche Z71

Astro Alternator & Starters on O'Connor Drive are doing mine.

BTW, I noticed you have moved.... Almost pulled in one afternoon but your truck wasn't there when I was coming back from Joyceville Pen.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Well we are finally back up and running. I had the complete motor assembly on the starter replaced. It cost me $322 CAD with the taxes. I installed the rebuilt unit on Friday night and have yet to run the boat in the water but she started in the yard. The old starter was corroded solid... Probably something to do with the boat almost sinking July 1

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive