Newbie with a 2012 180le

Banoe · **Joined:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:41 pm **Posts:** 10

Hi, all I just bought a h180le with a 3.0 Mercruser I/O. I have about 10hrs on it and I like it a lot seems like a great boat. I have only a couple of minor issues with it. One is the fuel gauge is not working so figuring out how much gas is in the tank is a bit of an adventure, but I know my dealer will fix that. It seems to have a bit of "wig wag" at slow speeds needing a good bit of steering correction. I think that is just part of being an I/O boat but if some one here knows a good fix for "wig wag" let me know.

The 180le is the low priced H180 so it is a bit short on gauges just having a speedo, fuel, and trim gauge. My last boat a Maxum had a full set of gauges so I am starting to miss them especially the tachometer. So I am wondering if any one here may know if this boat may be prewired for a tach? There are quite a few combination gauge units on the market some with digital read outs that look real spiffy. Are these hard to install or are they kind of plug and play with the proper harnesses etc?

ric · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:30 pm

yeah so... um.. Why did you purchase the LE if you want the non-LE version?

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

wow Ric - i bet you got slapped around a lot in school...at least here you would have!

Banoe - welcome aboard and congrats on the new boat. The wig wag is common for the I/O, but is more of a case of over-correction than anything....you will get used to it and never notice after a while. Just don't turn so hard to make the course corrections.

As far as the Tach - absolutely you can add one, but I unfortunately have no clue as to pre-wiring. You may talk to the dealer and see about the wiring being there or not....you may even work a deal to do the install while they are in there tracking down the fuel sensor/gauge issue.

Enjoy

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:24 am

TX H210SS wrote:

wow Ric - i bet you got slapped around a lot in school...at least here you would have!

ric is out of high school already ???

Anyway.... congrats on your new H180LE. I think it will not be too difficult to have a combo gauge installed, and the dealer
should do it while you have the boat in for service.

Graham R · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:54 am

I'd be very surprised if the boat isn't prewired for the extra instruments up to the multi pin connector for the existing dash. The senders for oil pressure and water temperature are probably already on the engine as well, it wouldn't be worthwhile FW stripping them out from the standard engine package and plugging the holes..

Monkey Business · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 1:38 pm

Welcome aboard Banoe! Congrats on the new boat! As TX 210ss said low speed wander is normal for an I/O. It is amplified by overcorrection, try using smaller imputs as it wanders.
As you are here longer you will learn to ignore ric's posts. He is a narcissist! If he did not buy it, install it, think of it, it's no good. Please don't take his rude post personally. He does it to everyone.
That being said this is a great forum with a wealth of knowledge, and with the exception of ric everyone is friendly and helpfull. Have fun with your new toy!

230 Mike · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 4:38 pm

Welcome Banoe, tell us a little about where and what type of boating you do. And congratulations!

Oh, and +1 to all the above.

Banoe · **Joined:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:41 pm **Posts:** 10

Thanks for the welcome everyone,

I think I will answer ric's question first,

I was replacing a 17' Maxum that I had for 20yrs. I wanted to buy new because I plan on having this boat 20+ years. I knew I wanted a 18' boat as I launch and retrieve it at my neighborhood ramp that has a large hill to climb once you get loaded.
I wanted to buy local to my home so I could get warranty work done with out trailering all over the world.
The local dealer had the 180le and the H180 outboard with a 90hp Merc. They wanted more money for the H180 (allways an consideration) and I was worried that a 90hp might be a bit sluggage on a 2300lb hull when it is loaded with six people. Sooooo I bought the 180le and figured that for the difference in cost I could buy a bunch of gauges and other stuff, have a faster boat, and still have enough for a cooler full of beer.

I boat on the upper Chesapeake Bay. My family has a summer home there and the boat will stay there all summer for family cruses to the swimming beaches and sand bars along the river we are on. Throw in a little bit of tubing (the dealer threw in a new tube and rope to close the deal, boy those guys are sneaky!) and you have a full weekend.

As for the wig wag I have about a mile of 6mi speed limit to go through to get down river from our place, but I am getting used to to the steering all ready.

Gauges, There is a multi pin connector under the dash? I will check for that. Is there a connector on the I/O for the same reason? Can you mount a transducer internally under the I/O and get good results?

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

My transducer is mounted in the bilge under front of engine...no probs at all and seems very accurate....i f you are just looking for depth I would mount in bilge....if you are looking for combo depth and fish finder
then you gotta go outside.

If you have no hour meter in your speed that is another must in my book....the mechanical ones are easy to hook in with ignition and mount under helm....never have to worry about data loss and can see its working.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Thu Sep 13, 2012 9:20 pm

Yes, welcome. On your next boat, get the duo prop drive. That will help a little "wig wag". More so in docking, it takes out, what I call the "prop walk". With a single prop drive, it pulls to one side.

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

After a pass or two thru your no wake zone you will never notice it again. Two props is like two engines...nice when working but twice as ugly in the pocket when broken.

ardy · **Posted:** Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:58 pm

Banoe wrote:

It seems to have a bit of "wig wag" at slow speeds needing a good bit of steering correction. I think that is just part of being an I/O boat but if some one here knows a good fix for "wig wag" let me know.

If you have to do slow speeds for a while like I do. If you have some passengers, get them to move to the front as this helps a bit
hope this helps
Ps Congrats on the new boat and welcome to the forum

www.iFourWinns.com

Newbie with a 2012 180le

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