First day out newbie questions

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

First photo might tell a bit about my questions, rest are just eye candy to get clicks

Had a fun first time out with the new/used boat today. Ran very well, VDO instruments were intermittent, have to look into that ground problem to start with I suppose. Temp never much off the peg, then after sitting for a period of time swimming turning key on shows temp just below half, Suspect thermostats stuck open. What are any other signs of engine running too cold? (risers were hot but not burning hot to touch by hand) Power steering belt squeeled a bit while turning for a second then for the last 20 minutes pretty much all the time, assume just needs a new belt? just dressing? (seems like a cop-out) or possibly something worse (power steering pump on its way out?) otherwise it really ran well, started every time, no fumes at shutdown, shifted and turned well.

Now to the biggest hassle of the day, most likely a rookie mistake but thats why I am here taking advice, had a lot of problems getting boat OFF the trailer, took three of us pushing to get off, I should have known it would be just as hard to get it back out, but I chalked it up to dry carpets or something. So fast forward three hours and time to take it out of the water, I was expecting it to be a PITA but assumed I could muscle it on with the winch. Wasnt gonna happen, got it about 3/4 on and couldn't budge. Brought the car as deep as comfortable into water (front wheels touching, rears above the axel and up to the bumper) and it helped a tiny bit, but ended up pulling it out of water and having a merciful person help me pull it on with a rope and his truck.

My first thought is the combination of a poor tow vehicle (Volvo XC90 SUV glorified car) and a ramp not very steep. There is another ramp that is supposed to have a steeper grade, but its another 20 minute drive, going to try it there next time either way. Probably didnt help at all filling up fuel tank on the way to the lake.

Overall it was a great few hours, pretty bummed it was such a pain to get it on the trailer, well over an hour of cursing, pulling and embarrassment, it was so difficult I was worried about the winch strap failing.

Thoughts opinions and words of encouragment welcome. Its times like this when forums like this are invaluable, hope to be able to return the favor sometime. If anyone wants to know about flying airplanes I'm your guy.

boat first time 2012-550 by millerjont, on Flickr

boat first time 2012-549 by millerjont, on Flickr

boat first time 2012-508 by millerjont, on Flickr

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:59 pm

A sticking thermostat or one that doesn't close all the way will result in the engine idling at about 100-120*f (160 is normal). You could well have a gauge problem.

About the trailer, well you learned why no one uses bunk trailers on the North Shore of Long Island, we have 7 foot water depth tidal changes every 6 hrs. You probably need a roller trailer unless you can find a steeper ramp. I have a roller trailer(galvanized of course) and I put a 9 foot long tongue on it. Never get the jeep tires evev wet.

rpengr · **Posted:** Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:38 pm

Welcome, and contrats on you boat purchase. What size & year?

I would not call that a rookie mistake... I would call that a poor excuse for a boat ramp. You are doing the best you could considering the lack of slope.
I back my tandem trailer in until the top of the fender is down to the waterline, or no more than 1" of fender sticking out of the water. Then I can drive the boat on with only moderate power.
The ramps in my area are steep enough that with the top of fender down to the water, the back bumper of the tow vehicle is about at the water's edge. On the shallowest ramps, I might get the back tires wet, but usually no more than a inch.
I would suggest using the other ramp, but if you must use this one, then you probably have to convert it to a roller trailer as LouC said, and get a heavy duty winch strap.
Regarding the XC90... that should be adequate for towing your boat, unless you are driving long trips through hills or mountains. It would not have had anything to do with your launch problem, unless you didn't have the traction to pull it out?
Also, for on-road safety, make sure your trailer brakes are in good working order. This is especially important if your tow vehicle is relatively small compared to the boat (as mine is).
Power stearing belt probably just needs tightening (or replacing if it is thin). Failing PS pump is usually indicated by a whining sound, not belt squeel.
Thermostat sounds stuck open to me if it ran cold. Don't worry about the tempurature when you turned the key on after sitting (engine still off) ...just check the temp after restarting and the water has had at least 10-15 seconds to circulate.

ric · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:11 am

Ramp too shallow. Find a steeper ramp

Pedropup · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:51 am **Posts:** 104

Feels good to find out it wasn't you, doesn't it!!!!

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:07 am

rpengr wrote:

Welcome, and contrats on you boat purchase. What size & year?

jontmiller wrote:

Greetings from CT,

I picked up a 1998 Horizon H200 with the Volvo 4.3GL.

I would look for a different ramp. Roller trailer or not, you won't have a pleasurable launch and retrieve at the ramp you pictured.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:49 am

Agree with all above posters, that ramp is barely suitable to launch a canoe. My temp was 160, changed the T-Stat, now it is 150. I would change it out regardless, it is a 10 minute job and should be done every other year anyways....

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

Thanks for the replies (keep em coming) I drove around on a busy Sunday (without the boat) and quiried a few who had similiar size boats to mine, sounds like I just picked a bad ramp, suitable for small fishing boats and kayaks (and 16 foot glastron's from my youth)

ardy · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 2:16 am

rpengr wrote:

I back my tandem trailer in until the top of the fender is down to the waterline, or no more than 1" of fender sticking out of the water. Then I can drive the boat on with only moderate power.

You actually did very well to get it on and off the trailer in that depth of water.
As rpengr says " find a ramp where you can back the trailer in until the top of the mud guards are level with the water, then it is a piece of cake to launch and retrieve.

Gresh24 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 10:18 am

Wow, I agree with everyone else, that's no ramp. I'm surprised you had enough water to get it in (and especially out)...

Drive the extra 20 mins to a real ramp.

weather · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:57 pm

Yep, not a ramp. However, you could buy a Jeep Wrangler, lock the axles in 4lo and drive in till the water is deep enough. Even a stock Jeep will venture into 30" or so of water. :shock:

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