1990 javelin 378 fs

[Thegen]

Haven't posted for a while (been boatless) but just picked up this old fish n ski for the family and myself. Currently replacing carpet but in the pic attached I was wondering what the "plug" is for? There's is a similar one in the dash, looks like to plug a hole for an additional gauge. Anyway, if anyone knows a good honest outboard mechanic around Central il, (decatur, Springfield etc) could you post recommendations please? Had a bad power pack (84 evinrude 115 90* v4) but need some help figuring out if something else in the ignition system took it out. Thanks!!!

 

[waterinthefuel]

My dad owns the exact same boat. Do you mean the plug between the 4 switches on the bottom? If so that's where his trolling motor plugs into. I can see the trolling motor plug on the bottom left side of that photo. If you're talking about the big black round thing that's where a flasher would have gone. Back in 1990 those were still popular. If you have one in the dash it's also for a flasher. Some boats had two, one while you were running and one while you were fishing.

That's not the original trolling motor BTW. It originally came with an OMC trolling motor. My dad's still has the original. Javelin was an OMC boat brand, so their boats all came with Johnsons or Evinrude engines and OMC trolling motors.

Obviously a 1984 engine isn't original either on a 1990 boat. I wonder why they put an older engine on that boat. My fathers still has the original 150XP, 1990 model.

As far as the engine, I'd heard those older V4's had PP problems. It's not unheard of. I seriously doubt anything else is wrong with it but of course I can't tell from here.

I will say that plug looks very dirty. Before trying the trolling motor I would spray all 3 prongs with a good electrical cleaner being careful not to get any on the carpet if it's new.

 

[Thegen]

My dad owns the exact same boat. Do you mean the plug between the 4 switches on the bottom? If so that's where his trolling motor plugs into. I can see the trolling motor plug on the bottom left side of that photo. If you're talking about the big black round thing that's where a flasher would have gone. Back in 1990 those were still popular. If you have one in the dash it's also for a flasher. Some boats had two, one while you were running and one while you were fishing.

That's not the original trolling motor BTW. It originally came with an OMC trolling motor. My dad's still has the original. Javelin was an OMC boat brand, so their boats all came with Johnsons or Evinrude engines and OMC trolling motors.

Obviously a 1984 engine isn't original either on a 1990 boat. I wonder why they put an older engine on that boat. My fathers still has the original 150XP, 1990 model.

As far as the engine, I'd heard those older V4's had PP problems. It's not unheard of. I seriously doubt anything else is wrong with it but of course I can't tell from here.

I will say that plug looks very dirty. Before trying the trolling motor I would spray all 3 prongs with a good electrical cleaner being careful not to get any on the carpet if it's new.

Hey, thanks for the reply. Yes the big plug in the middle, it unscrews with a big wing nut type thing. I have the original tolling motor too but my uncle gave me that motor guide so I put it on there. The original works and I thought it was interesting that it has a 12/24 volt switch to run either or. The boat def needs some work but I want to at least get it going for our spring fishing trip. I wondered why they put the older motor on it too. Maybe the original blew up or something. This one has good compression and does run but I think I will rebuild the carbs and see what happens from there. But I picked it up for a decent price......I think lol.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Hey, thanks for the reply. Yes the big plug in the middle, it unscrews with a big wing nut type thing. I have the original tolling motor too but my uncle gave me that motor guide so I put it on there. The original works and I thought it was interesting that it has a 12/24 volt switch to run either or. The boat def needs some work but I want to at least get it going for our spring fishing trip. I wondered why they put the older motor on it too. Maybe the original blew up or something. This one has good compression and does run but I think I will rebuild the carbs and see what happens from there. But I picked it up for a decent price......I think lol.

You see where the hole to the right of plug is? It has "sensitivity" on it with a bunch of lines around it? That's where the switch to turn the flasher on and off would have gone. That switch also adjusts the sensitivity of the signal received. Of course yours has none so it's just an empty hole.

 

[Thegen]

Ok Houston, we have a boat full of wet foam and a couple rotten stringers that I have already removed. I have dug put all the wet foam as far back under the "bench seat" are as possible. I dont want to pull the cap of this thing this year but probably will next fall. My question is, if I replace the foam that I have dug out already, will the new foam next to it just wick it up? I guess what I'm doing is trying to use the boat this season and then do the rest of the repair this fall where I have some warmer days to work. I need to be ready by the second week of May and have alot of other work to do on it. Thanks

 

[briangcc]

Floor rots last, not first. So probably (likely) stringers and transom are garden mulch. Will the boat hold up is anyone's guess.

Personally, I wouldn't use it at all until all repairs are made. Your life, those on your boat with you, and those around you are at stake. That's not a risk I'm willing to take.

 

[Thegen]

Floor rots last, not first. So probably (likely) stringers and transom are garden mulch. Will the boat hold up is anyone's guess.

Personally, I wouldn't use it at all until all repairs are made. Your life, those on your boat with you, and those around you are at stake. That's not a risk I'm willing to take.

Yea, the two short stringers were shot the other two longer ones are just fiberglass, no wood in them at all. I pulled two of the motor mount bolts (pulling engine Anyway for steering cable) and tried to shove a screwdriver in it and it wouldn't go. I agree there is more rot in there but I really want to make one trip with it and work on it after that. Btw is the replacement foam expensive everywhere or am I not looking at the right places? Thanks for the reply!!!