Ran my 35 EX Today
 

Ran my new to me boat for the first time excluding sea trial today. Couple of questions

Depth finder does not work I have not even seen if there is power to it, hints on where to look to find the problem. Do the gauges (Livorsi) go bad?

Fuel gauges for the most part always stay full, thats probably the sending units as it both tanks, thoughts.

Both engines run between 160-180 but water pressure is different, starboard is 25 psi at WOT Port is 20 psi. Port is only 5 at idle, starbord is 10. Engines don't run hot so thinking its a sending unit. Both pumps new impellers.

Thanks

Fountain fuel gauges always on full when they start to move you are low when the light comes on prey

You know thats exactly what happened. They started to bounce a little, I have never run the boat so thought I would top them off......120 gallons later.

sender for the depth finder should be under the cabin step, behind the white cap. Usually epoxied down

When were impellers changed? For piece of mind, I changed mine after my first season. But, it only had 12 hours on new motors that dealer installed. They had supposedly just changed them when they winterized it.

So, when I did, I back flushed just to be safe and a big chunk of impeller came out my P motor!

I would change all motor oil, drive oil, impellers so you know what you have starting off.

You could prob jump power off something that is jot to test gauge just to make sure it's just not getting power or at least test switch.

Good luck!

Oil, drive oil and impellers were just done. Going to pull the pickups at the transom to make sure they are clear. Probably the sending units as the gauges do move a little just not full sweep. its like 7/8 of a tank is empty.

Not sure if I would be concerned with the water pressure difference. Common oversight when winterizing to not disconnect the supply lines for water pressure gauges at each end and blow out the lines, and drain the gauges of water. They freeze during winter and calibration of gauge gets skewed.

More important question- was the maiden voyage fun and how did it feel to you ?

I forgot about this part, but did you have the boat surveyed?? They would have tested all the accessories??

I had run her once before on the sea trial, but its definatly different. Boat turns way better and handles some chop better than my 292. Its a little different docking, kinda supprised me. Both I guess because of lenth and a higher x dim. than my old boat. Does not turn with the engines as easy, but I am getting used to it.

Thanks for the info on the gauges, I want to check the transom pickups just so I know, and I might just order two Hardin Marine pumps.

Yes it was surveyed, but I was more concerned about structual, stringers etc.Surveyor did not water test the boat,I did gauge had difference then but thought the impeller was worn. As for fuel gauge, its a common problem from what I am told. Friend is getting me different sending units.

Was thinking more about the depth gauge on the survey. Either way, if any doubt, replace impellers and back flush.

A friend just bought a 35 beak the week before tickfaw 200. Impeller when out on the way back on his S 496HO. Closed cooling kept engine cool while rubber exhaust hose caught fire and lit engine cowl. Damage wasn't too bad, but hatches had gel damage that had to be repaired and plug wire burned off.

My 2004 35 Ex always reads Full of fuel when sitting in the water, sending units are in rear of tanks and boat sits so low to the stern. The first time I let the gauges come off full when underway we ended up being towed back to the dock. If the fuel gauges come off Full when you come off plane then its time to refuel. Word of advise, if you ever fill the boat while on a trailer try to have truck up hill when fueling or drop trailer jack, if you fuel boat and it is sitting level on trailer its gonna constantly spew fuel from the tank breather vent. I always fuel on trailer and its a pain. As far as the water pressure gauges go mine read exact same press with both motors, I do remove water line from back of gauges and side of sea pumps and blow air through the line every season, blow from gauge end into bilge.

I filled it on the water, there was a little coming out of the vent when it got close to being full, like 20 gallons more. This is normal?

The fuel level sending units on Fountains are notoriously bad. If they are more than a few years old, they stop working. They are also located in the rear of the tank, so will always read fuller than they are. When they are working properly, they are most accurate when you're on plane. I've replaced mine with Livorsi auto-cal senders and they are working pretty well, but still never fully trust them. Here's what I do. Fill the boat up and take note of the hours. Run the boat a few times, go back and fill up again and take note of the hours and how many gallons consumed. Basically, that gives you an average gals / running hour that takes into account idling, running, etc. Then just watch the hours and when you think you're getting close, go back and fill up.

Fountain spins the props in, which makes docking with the engines less responsive. You get used to it, just take your time. I sometimes use just one engine to start the turn in reverse, then bring in the opposite forward engine once it starts turning.

The fuel senders are adjustable with the small Philips head screws. When full turn the adjustment until the gauge reads right on the full mark, very small adjustments. When you get close to empty turn the e side down so gauges are right at empty. Mine now work better than stock, but still not perfect due to the shape of the tank.

Depth sending unit should have antifreeze between sounder and base if you have the same one I do. Undo from base and make sure there is fluid in there and check again. I trust my depth finder less than mine fuel gauges.

Not that it matters for me anymore because I replaced mine, but where are those adjustment screws, I didn't see anything like that on mine.

There are on either side of dead center. Mine has the wires going through the center and the screws on either side of them, they were covered with what looked like liquid electrical tape.

Tim I really liked you new Fountain looked great at Waters Edge Sunday and looked even better when you were under way.
Good luck Rich