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View Full Version : Trying to keep my boats alive...


HoogiesNgrinderz
08-04-2008, 05:15 PM
My 1994 Sport Nautiqe is starting to crumble before my eyes, as well as our pontoon boat. I have some questions:

The ski boat needs a new fuel guage, possibly a new oil pressure gauge, and I'd like to get new speedo guages. I have VDO in there now, but they are 15 years old and showing their age. Does VDO have VDO specific sensors? Who and what do you recommend when it comes to guages? Also need new pitots, might as well get new hose right?

The pontoon boat is doing better with new (although very dutch looking) bimini fabric and new marine vinyl stapled over the old crap. We just want it to look decent and be functional, good enough for the girls I hang out with. It needs new guages as well, but does Honda have to have a Honda specific tach? Also, has anyone heard of a handheld fuel tank (6.5 gallons IIRC) that can accept an electric fuel level sensor? I have one extra spot for a gauge in the console and I hate having to climb in the back and lift the tank.

Q
08-04-2008, 09:54 PM
Never heard of an electric in tank like that. And unfortunatly, at least in my travels, gauges seem to be specific to their senders. I had to change all mine when I went to Gaffrig gauges last year.

HoogiesNgrinderz
08-05-2008, 09:50 AM
Damn, I was hoping it wouldn't come to that. I can't even find a VDO fuel gauge that is white.

Pretty sure I'm going with Teleflex with the pontoon boat though. I just need to figure out what style would look best
Sahara:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D89FRZ86L._SL500_AA280_.jpg
Sterling:
https://www.surplusunlimited.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000014/3769.jpg

HoogiesNgrinderz
08-05-2008, 12:16 PM
Pretty sure I'm going with sterling for the toon. Tach, voltage, PSI kit, and 3 cup holders will put me back $164.

As for the ski boat I think I'll go with an automotive VDO fuel gauge. It looks the same and sells for $24 (I'll be happy if last into next season). I'll wait on gauges and put money into a new CD deck, 4 6.5" two ways, 5-6ch amp, and 1 or 2 10" subs. The old poineer system will go into the tooner.

Pyro
08-05-2008, 11:40 PM
I just ordered a set of the Teleflex Lido gauges, don't know about senders at this point but 99% of the gauges I'm sure work off GM standard senders.

HoogiesNgrinderz
08-06-2008, 12:22 AM
The Sport Nautique runs VDO gauges and sensors which are not US standard, plus it has a Ford 351. I'm going to install an automotive VDO fuel gauge and see how long it will last.

My pops told me today he wanted to sell the Sport Nautique because he said nobody skied anymore and it was too much of a hassle to put in/take out the lift every year...I replied that it was a great boat, paid off, and that I would handle all aspects of the boat. Looks like I'm the new owner :)

HoogiesNgrinderz
08-11-2008, 05:20 PM
I have the gauges installed and they look great (I'll snap a pic in a bit) but I'm wondering if anyone had any idea why the tach would show RPM's raising quickly to 3K or so and then dropping to 1600 (actual engine rpm)? It did the same thing to the last guage before it died. Also, do you need to blead water psi guages? It didn't say anything in the instructions.

Edit: These are the toon guages. It has a Honda BF25 3cyl 4 stroke on it.