Boat alarm life jackets and plaining

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hvdbergh

New member
Hi Guys

I am new on the site and find it very interesting. I would like to know where can I purchase SABS approved life jackets (orange) in the JHB area?

I recently purchased a pre-owned 160 Scimitar with a 115 Yamaha autolube and took it to the water once thus far and whilst in the water busy plaining an alarm came on and the motor cut out and it did not want to start. Apparently it is a safety precautuion explained by a boat mechanic at the dam. The mechanic informed me that it was a defective impeller and he changed it for me.

The next morning I launched the boat again and was fine for a short while and then the alarm activated again but the motor did not cut out and I returned back at slow speed. What could be the problem please assist. Another problem I have encountered is that the boat takes some time to plain, it emerges in the air for some time before it starts to plain what am I doing wrong?

Thanks guys
 
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CAT STEVEN`S

New member
Texwise in Strydom park have the orange life jackets you are looking for.

With regard to your alarm going off it could be a couple of things: The alarm is there for 2 reasons- overheating and low oil level.

If your tell-tale is running and the water coming from it is not overly hot then it is not overheating. I am presuming that it is a 2 stroke motor- in this case check the reservoir and make sure there is plenty 2 stroke oil in it.

I have had a problem where the sensor on my 2 stroke reservoir became faulty, and I eventually just bypassed it, as no amount of oil in the reservoir would stop the incessant screaming of the alarm.

With regards to your planing issues, firstly check that your motor is fully trimmed down, secondly check that you do not have too much weight towards the stern. If this does not work then i think you may have the wrong pitch propeller.
 
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hvdbergh

New member
Hi Cat

Thank you for the feedback and advise much appreciated. The reservoir is full of two stroke oil, could it be posible that the oil pipes are blocked as the boat was not used for some time. How exactly does the reservoir feed the motor and what should I check and how would I know if the reservoir supply is working correctly?

Regarding the plaining of the boat should I push the throttle to its max untill such time the boat starts plaining or is it not necessary to push the throttle all the way?

Thanks

Hennie
 
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CAT STEVEN`S

New member
When getting the boat up on the plane, always push the throttles to max. Once you are up then throttle back.

If the motor is not getting oil it will overheat and eventually seize as the piston and more importantly the crankshaft is not getting any lubrication. So check if the problem is overheating. (the tell tale will be hot) The oil is fed through a pipe which goes directly into the manifold by the carburettor, perhaps a solution would be to make up a little premixed fuel (i.e. dissolve the 2 stroke straight into the petrol) if this solves the problem then it certainly seems that the oilpump is either faulty or blocked.

 i must tell you that i am not a mechanic but one picks up certain things over 20 years of boating. What area are you in?

cat
 
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fstf roller

Senior Member
ya, i agree, mix your 2 stroke in your fuel and try then, if that works your oil system is either blocked or the feeding system doesnt work, i would not keep trying the boat after that, i can organise a service for your motor for you from someone that comes straight to you, let me know.

As for the plaining, trim all the way down and give max power, a boat like that should plain very quikley, maybe try it with only the driver on the boat and check what happens, maybe we could assist more if you can give us the prop pitch and blade numbers, the pitch will be printed on your prop somewhere.usually you will see a number with a p behind it
 
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hvdbergh

New member
Your advise is spot on and very helpfull thank you so much. Some mechanics in my opinion are rip offs as I have encountered recently at the vaaldam. The mechanic replaced my impeller and charged me R750 which took him +/- 20 minutes to replace or is that the going rate?

Regarding the oil pump, is it the one on the reservoir or the one on the motor that could be defective?

I live in the south of jhb close to Alberton, once again thank you for your advise and I appreciate your generosity.

hennie
 
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hvdbergh

New member
Hi fstf Roller & Cat

I will follow your advise and notify you accordingly, as I am planning to go to the vaal on 04/09/10.
 
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CAT STEVEN`S

New member
If i was you i would sort out the problem beforehand- nothing worse than getting to the water and you cant use the boat!

Run the motor for an extended period at home and see if there how hot the tell tale gets.

The R750 you paid is a bit excessive as the part probably cost max R350, so R400 labour is a bit harsh. i wish you luck, its all a learning process which never stops!


BTW- the pump is on the side of the motor, just follow the pipes from the reservoir
 
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fstf roller

Senior Member
haha

Tru run the motor but i would rather run it in the water properly, things always tend to go wrong when u dont want them to, just trying to avoid the problem looking resovled at home and not on the water, i can give you the guys number he will come to you and he's service is good.

At the end of the day the macs know how we feel about our boats so they know people will pay whatever specially if they are new comers or dont know much about engines like myself, they also are very aware of how desperate we can get!
 
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Fanie

Sealiner
hvdbergh,

Sorry if you know this already -

If you start the motor at home you have to use what we call muffs. It's a double suction clamp you plug the house pipe into so your motor gets water for keeping cool. Never start your motor dry.

The tell-tale is the water squirting out of the motor above the water line. The beam should be strong. If not, there may be a small stone in the exit hole, and small wasps love to build their nests in there. You have to clean the obstackles out. There is a small clamp on the inside of the motor housing you can take off and put back after cleaning. This is 99% of the time the problem. I even doubt there was something wrong with the impeller.

When you take off, you have to make sure the motor's trim is adjusted right. If too high you are aiming at the clouds, if too low you are trying to dive. Either will prevent you to get on the plane quickly. If the boat is heavy for the motor you may consider skid plates. They help the boat get on the plane easier.

I take it you're new to boating. Don't worry, it's not a shame, we all started there, some of us didn't even have boats when we started. More important is that you start right and with the right attitude.

The best advice I can give you is to find an experienced friendly soul that will be willing to help you get to know your motor and boat. Like driving a car, there is more to it than just jumping on and taking off.

Three things -

Always wear your life jacket on the boat. Find a nice wearing one and really actually wear it. Things seldom goes wrong, but when they do there usually is no time to start looking for a life jacket. Same goes for your crew, if the wife doesn't like wearing the jacket, leave her on the shore. You as skipper will be responsible for every one aboard.

Make sure your boat has proper booyancy. The rated booyancy for fresh water is calculated wrong and is not enough. Just trust me on this one and make sure your boat cannot go under. Boats are expensive things as you are beginning to realise. This is a small sacrefice in terms of expense and safety.

Lastly, be courtious towards other water users and get to know your boats behaviour and in different water conditions.

Good luck with the new boat. Boats are nice things.
 
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Fanie

Sealiner
Oh yes, re life jackets. If you can loan some in the meantime. The new approved life jackets will be available soon. There currently are no legal life jackets available.

Don't ask.
 
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hvdbergh

New member
Hi Fanie

Thanks for the advise much appreciated and will do as suggested. Texwise in Randburg JHB Tel: 011 792 0253 received the new approved SABS/SAMSA approved life jackets give them a call.
 
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hvdbergh

New member
Running the motor for a extended period with flush muffs wont that do any damage to the motor or is it safe as long as the water comes out by the tell tale?
 
H

hvdbergh

New member
Running the motor for a extended period with flush muffs wont that do any damage to the motor or is it safe as long as the water comes out by the tell tale?
 
H

hvdbergh

New member
Running the motor for a extended period with flush muffs wont that do any damage to the motor or is it safe as long as the water comes out by the tell tale?
 
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