Boating novice with lots of questions

[JohnsUSMC]

I just recently bought a 1995 proline 231 wa with a Volvo Penta stern drive motor. I took it out for the first time I had all sorts of problems.

1. Livewell is not pumping water at all.
2. Battery gauge always reads zero. Removed the instrument panel and the oem wires were cut and replaced by the previous owner.
3. Radio doesnt work. Discovered the internal circuit boards were corroded and worthless.
4. Fish finder was installed next to radio.and it works. Garmin gps was installed above the helm but it.doesnt work.
5. First time in the water smacked a sand bar and my trim no longer works with motor stuck all the way up.

I've read about of posts about these various issues but I know so little about boats I can't even keep up with the lingo. I know where the tilt selenoids are and where the tilt pumpis.
Beyond that I'm pretty much lost. I don't fully understand my power switches by the helm or how to get in the stern to troubleshoot things. Any help you guys could provide would be great and I can post any pictures you need to figure out my situation

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Boating novice with lots of questions

Welcome to iBoats . . .

It would have been great to know all this stuff before you bought the boat.

Since the wiring has been messed with by the previous owner there is no telling how things are hooked up and not hooked up. The wiring is not radically different than what you would have in a car.

Most of the boat's gauges and associated wiring are based on the engine. So, getting the service manual for the V-P engine that you have will go a long way in repairing the wiring, etc.

 

[airshot]

Re: Boating novice with lots of questions

Welcome aboard, you do have your work cut out for yourself. This is a classic example of why we all recomend an in the water test and a professional marine survey. Get your manual and start reading, then read some more. No one on here can say exactly what is needed without actually seeing your problems, but you will get some suggestions and ideas if you give detailed descriptions.