First Real Bass Boat - Stupid questions to follow

[spyder9179]

Hey guys,

I finally upgraded my ride. I have acquired a 1995 Stratos 284 w/ a Johnson Fast Strike 150. This being my first real bass boat, I've got a few questions, with more to come I'm sure.

My first, and main question, is about replacing the bilge pump, which I have to do this weekend. Anybody familiar with this boat got any tips for me? I'm going in blind, as my previous boat didn't have all these fancy bells and whistles.

Thanks in advance...

 

[bconley]

Re: First Real Bass Boat - Stupid questions to follow

Its simple. 2 wires for a normal bilge pump. One positive, black is negative. I keep my boat in the water during the season so I always use an automatic float style pump which comes on by itself if the bilge fills with water. The automatic style has 3 wires, 2 positive (one to your bilge switch, one to the positive on the battery) and one ground wire.

Oh and do not use the cheap "butt connectors" from auto parts store. They will corrode. It is best to solder and heat shrink.

 

[gm280]

Re: First Real Bass Boat - Stupid questions to follow

Hey guys,

I finally upgraded my ride. I have acquired a 1995 Stratos 284 w/ a Johnson Fast Strike 150. This being my first real bass boat, I've got a few questions, with more to come I'm sure.

My first, and main question, is about replacing the bilge pump, which I have to do this weekend. Anybody familiar with this boat got any tips for me? I'm going in blind, as my previous boat didn't have all these fancy bells and whistles.

Thanks in advance...

I have zero experience with your type bass boat, but honestly, a bilge replacement is a simple task. Once you locate the old one, either buy an exact replacement and rewire color to color and outlet to hose, OR buy a different model to your liking and do the same. Have you gone over the boat with a fine tooth comb? Is the transom solid? Can you flex the transom with the engine tilled out? Those are issues you need to know about. A boat of any type with that many years on it could have some structural issues and they usually start at the bottom of the transom... Hope all checks out well and happy boating... :joyous:

 

[spyder9179]

Re: First Real Bass Boat - Stupid questions to follow

Thanks guys for the replies. I did get the pump replaced, but it's still not working, must be a fuse or switch issue? Probably gonna have someone who knows more about this stuff than I look at it.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: First Real Bass Boat - Stupid questions to follow

Try your new pump out on the work bench first, then check the fuse, switch, wires. It's really that easy, if you take your boat in for every little thing, you will join the B.O.A.T. club. O-yea check your battery to ensure you have 12 volts fully charged??