Ex-Aquasport/Wellcraft employee (Bob C)...

[Glock Diver]

Well, I can't say nobody warned me about all the projects that came with owning a boat!  But as a DIY guy, it gives me something to do.

Update on the portside bow navigation light- I hooked a volt meter to the wires, and it read 11.97 volts!  :)  So I changed the bulb (it was blackened, but the filament was intact). And the light still doesn't work, even with the new bulb... Very strange. The wires look good, the meter says it's got 12v, so I'm not sure what I'm missing here...    I'm not very experienced with volt meters, but I know enough to read the display!

I did complete a couple other projects today- installed a new 8' Shakespeare VHF antenna (prior one was just a 3' whip), and a new DSC-enabled VHF- a Standard Horizon.  I decided to do a surface mount, just to the right of the throttle control. Just 3 hours with my drill and Dremel, and we were up and running!  (probably would have been 2 hours, but with this 95 degree heat, I had to take breaks).  Looks pretty sharp, if I do say so myself.  And also freed up some space in my E-box.

[Capt. Bob]

Update on the portside bow navigation light- I hooked a volt meter to the wires, and it read 11.97 volts!  :)  So I changed the bulb (it was blackened, but the filament was intact). And the light still doesn't work, even with the new bulb... Very strange. The wires look good, the meter says it's got 12v, so I'm not sure what I'm missing here...    I'm not very experienced with volt meters, but I know enough to read the display!

Did you check the voltage inside of the socket itself? Might try cleaning the inside of the socket.  

[Glock Diver]

Did you check the voltage inside of the socket itself? Might try cleaning the inside of the socket.  

I thought I had checked the voltage on the light bulb itself, but maybe I was touching the contact instead.  I'll try some emory cloth in the little hole/socket that secures the bulb and see if that helps.

[RickK]

I'm feeling your pain....
I took the 230 out camping this weekend and on Friday evening I was idling out at dusk and flipped the bow nav lights on and they came on as expected (I ran a new pair of wires to it not too long ago) and then a little later it was getting dark enough for the "all around" and it was still stowed, so I dropped it in the connector in the aft and all of a sudden the front nav lights went out and won't come on now     The "all around" is fine (it's an LED) and on the same switch - so either I have a bulb out or the switch went south.  Maybe plugging in the LED "all around" surged/blew the incandescent bulb in the nav lights?  Didn't investigate while out there even though I had a new bulb with me.

[seabob4]

Glock,
You have a PM.  Good news!  (Damn, Rick, we need a beer cheer smiley!)

Bob C

[Glock Diver]

seabob4 is the man!   Thanks a million!


On another topic...
Seeing Capt. Bob's AS 225 brochure in another thread reminded me of something.  It reminded me that I'm missing the piston extension rod that holds the front console seat up.  Currently, I have a mop handle that performs that function, but I'd love to replace the part if I knew where to find one, and exactly what it's called.
Is this something that can be purchased at a marine store?  I looked for one at Bass Pro, but didn't see anything like that...

[seabob4]

Glock,
Your seat had two, one on each side.  40 pounders, if I remember correctly.  Basically nitrogen filled struts, just like a lot of cars use for hoods and trunks..  

Measure ball center to ball center (fully extended length) and let us know.  See what we have at work that may suffice... :bball: Hey, it getting time for the Magic to start the season!

[RickK]

You can get them at Marine Surplus in Ft Myers - they can order them for you (that's where I got mine but in their Sarasota office)
http://www.marinesurplusinc.com/servlet/StoreFront

[seabob4]

Rick's right.  In fact, they probably came from the old Wellcraft plant!  Marine Surplus is OK, but I think they are a little pricey compared to what they buy the stuff for...JMHO.

[RickK]

Agreed  
But in this case I ordered the struts through them.

[Glock Diver]

Thanks for the few leads, fellas.  I was hoping to find those struts at Bass Pro Shops, where I've bought a bunch of other boat stuff. My wife works there and we both get a nice employee discount, but I can check out that Marine Surplus.

So here's a picture of where my struts were connected.  I measured the distance from the bottom hole to the back of the seat (with the seat lifted to 90 degrees, like in the picture). Came out to 29 inches.


Anybody notice my 2 LawSticks on the starboard gunwale in the background?   The top one was 1999 edition... of course its no longer correct. A friend gave me the new one, but removing the original sticker has been a beast!  Used some adhesive remover today unsuccessfully, but I'll try a razor blade tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~~
About that Livewell Pump problem.  Today I followed some of the advice and connected the garden hose to the pump input, and tried to turn it on again. The only thing I got was wet. No livewell action.  :x  Tomorrow I'll connect the volt meter to it and see if its getting anything.  The Livewell/Washdown knob is very corroded and difficult to turn, but I don't know that it's causing the problem. Here you can see the corrosion:


The pump and where I tried to flush with water...

[seabob4]

Mike,
When you turn yoiur pump on, put your hand on it and feel for vibration.  No vibration, pump ain't running. Your valve is like the one shown on this page of the West Marine catalog.Boswoth Diverter Valves..  It is the surface mount one.

If you take the frame off the tackle center module, you can access the back side of that valve pretty easily.  Might be a good idea do disassemble it and lube it up pretty good.

Bob C

[Glock Diver]

No vibration on the pump, so I removed it and tested the wires. It's getting juice, so I'm guessing the pump is bad.  Is there any repairing these things?  It's a pretty heavy pump (photo above)
I also sprayed some WD-40 on the valve, hopefully that will ease it up.


Bob, let me know if Proline has any of those gas struts... I'd be happy to purchase a couple. Otherwise, I'll call that Surplus Marine supply.


Another beautiful day in SW Florida, but one spent on land due to a Small Craft Advisory. Got a new tongue jack on the trailer, and adjusted my forward bow bunks, as well as a few mini projects on the boat.  It was nice just being outside!  :)

[stringali]

Hey Bob, I just finished reading all the posts by you, which were many, to get myself as much information from you that I can.  I am so excited to have found a perso like you here with your knowledge and background.  Just a quick note to the fishwell pump.  I had the same problem when i got my boat a month or so ago ( I will fill you in).  The pump did vibrate and all it took was to purge the pump with water by unscreing the plastic cap at the impellar and fill with water.  Now it is perfect.

Anyway, my name is Steve and I live on Long Island.  as of the end of august 09, I became the proud and lucky owner of a wonderful 1998 Aquasport 225 Explorer with Hard Top, salt and freshwater washdowns.  I must say I love this boat!  It is powered by a 1998 Evinrude Ocean Pro 200hp outboard.  This engine was totally redone including powerhead in 06.  The boat has 770 hrs on it with about 370 hours on the engine and it purrs like a kitten (Knock on wood).  When I bought the boat (for a steal, including trailor), it needed some TLC.  Basically, the saltwater problem which I explained earlier.  the freshwater pump was dead but a friend of mine had a new one and gave it to me and installed it and works great!  Next spring I will replace the stereo and speakers for they do not work.  I need to also replace the hatch which the prior owner had cracked.  Do you know where I can get a replacement hatch (top hatch on hinge, not bifold) and the hardware for it....cam locks.  I also need new gas shocks for the hatch as well.  do you know the size?  Also, I seemed to have lost one of the vent covers to my fuel tank.  I put the vent cover (Like a soda bottle cap) from the freshwater supply on the gas vent for now, but want to get another one.  Do you know where I can just get another cap?  I also have to replace the wiper motor...no big deal.

I love this boat, it is in unbelievable shape and once I cleaned it up, it is like brand new!  I get many compliments.  I have been out fishing a lot on the Long island sound and been doing great!  And, i am need to come up with a good name.....

Great to meet you here and you are an unbelievable find!   Steve

[seabob4]

Steve,
Thank you very much for the compliments.  I'll see what I can do, problems and otherwise...

Bob C