Bought a 2002 Suntracker Party Deck 21. Have lots of questions!!!

[1580rick]

This boat is a 21' aluminum hull v-bottom deck boat, equipped with a 150 hp mercury outboard. Boat has capacity of maximum of 10 people or 1400 lbs.

I am a 54 year old man, married for 27 years to a very tolerant woman. We have 3 children and more grandchildren than I can keep track of. We all greatly enjoy this boat other than a few minor problems.

1. When going across water, the motor kicks up twin rooster tails of water in front of the motor. Is this a common problem with this boat or is the motor just too low in the water? The back 10 - 12 inches of the boat bottom angles up towards the motor. Is there an appropriate way to calculate the position of the motor on the transom?

2. The aerator pump would only pump water about half the time. Pump was a 500 gph with an angled tube. Replaced with an 800 gph with an angled tube. I can hear the pump come on every time I turn on the switch, but still only pumps water about half the time. The pump height is always below water level and I cannot find any obstructions in the inlet or the supply tube.

3. Can anyone instruct me on what position is what on the break selector? And what is the correct way to test to see if the breaks are working?

4. There is a broken frayed cable sticking out of the hitch right under the latch. Is this something I need to replace and what is its function?

5. Anyone know what the fourth switch to the right, the one next to the orange horn button is supposed to do?

6. Even though I have greased the steering cable at the motor, it still is very stiff. Does anyone know if I will have to replace this or is there a procedure to adjust or further lubricate?
If anyone has any of this information, I would greatly appreciate it. If anyone has or has had experience with one of these boats, and could give any tips about it or things to watch out for, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

1580rick

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Bought a 2002 Suntracker Party Deck 21. Have lots of questions!!!

is there any chance you could post pictures of the items of concern?

 

[1580rick]

Re: Bought a 2002 Suntracker Party Deck 21. Have lots of questions!!!

I have tried to upload the pic's but it tells me the file is to large. I have even tried one pic at a time. Same thing. I do not know how to change the file size. Any suggestions?

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Bought a 2002 Suntracker Party Deck 21. Have lots of questions!!!

right click on pic choose edit and then find resize or google "how do I resize pictures"

 

[1580rick]

Re: Bought a 2002 Suntracker Party Deck 21. Have lots of questions!!!

OK I hope this works!!! Thanks!!!!

 

[knuter63]

Re: Bought a 2002 Suntracker Party Deck 21. Have lots of questions!!!

I'm not sure if you got answers to your questions, if so, you can compare.
1. Twin roosters may mean your motor is mounted too low...I am not an expert here.
2. Is the knob below your left most black switch an aerator timer? Check to see if it is wired in line with the middle swith.
3. The round plate on the top is where you fill the trailers hydraulic brake fluid and is an override for backing the trailer up hill (because the surge will activate and skid your wheels). It is in the correct position as far as I can tell. My trailer has a 5th electrical connection that hooks up to my reverse lights to do the same function. The only way I know to test them is to lift the entire trailer off the ground...easiest without the boat of course.

4. The broken cable on the hitch is for emergency break away, it will engage the trailer brakes in case the trailer comes unhitched. Mine is about 18 inches long with a hook that I attach to the truck. I would recommend repairing it, I'm not sure if it a legal matter or just smart.
5. The rightmost black switch is for the engine compartment exhaust fan for my inboard Party Deck...don't know it's use for an outboard (if any).
6. I can't help you on this one.

Tip: Unless you have a travel cover, always lock and clasp the sundeck down when trailering. I never go highway speeds without the full cover on.

 

[1580rick]

Re: Bought a 2002 Suntracker Party Deck 21. Have lots of questions!!!

Thanks for the help! I moved the motor up one hole and cured the rooster tail problem, but It wanted to cavitate every time I turned. I'm going to have to lower the motor back down. I'm thinking about putting a four inch wide plate right in front of the motor to make the bottom of the boat come out square. Hopefully this will keep the water from hitting the motor above the cavitation plate, but still let the prop get the water it needs. Any thoughts on this as a solution?

The aerater pump appears to air lock. I'm not sure why or what to do about it. The knob below the far left switch is the control for the depth sounder.

With your help, I got the position plate for the brakes figured out. You are right about the cable. Although I'm not sure why the brakes aren't still locked, I'm going to replace the cable.

Still have not figured out the far right black switch..................

Changed the steering cable. Works great now.

Thanks!!!!!