Couple of Questions

[gotzoom]

Hello All,

I hope this is the correct place to post these...Bought a 2003 Bayliner 185 from a local dealer. The sales person said he would have someone come out with me the first time I put it in the water to make sure I know everything their is to know. Well being I live in N.D. that will be a few more months of waiting...Well I couldn't wait any longer and started tinkering a bit with it in my garage. Nothing major, just wanted to charge the battery, turn on the radio etc. Well I put the key in but it would not turn. Seems like the ignition is locked or something. Any ideas why this would be? The other thing is the teather that has a clip on one end and a black plastic looking key on the other. I am guessing it is designed to kill the power if I were to fly out. But where does it plug into? Thanks for any help...

Joe

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Couple of Questions

Ignition switch has a black rubber cover to help keep water out of the switch, makes it difficult to see which side is UP. Generally they install the switch with the tumblers UP so that water passing thru the switch is less likely to get trapped and corrode the tumblers and springs. Turn the key over, insert it with the bumpy side up. Hope it was this simple and not a frozen/corroded switch.

The lanyard cord and clip is a Dead Mans switch installed in-line with the ignition system. Once attached to your right wrist, and plugged into the switch, you falll out of the seat/or boat, the engine dies. The switch should be near/in the area of your right elbow, some are a toggle switch, some are a button that the clip slides under to hold the button out.

Purchase a spare lanyard and clip, stow it in the boat somewhere and LEAVE IT THERE. Someday you are going to drag your boat to a lake THEN remember the lanyard, lying on the table at home.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Couple of Questions

the key not working could be....
wrong key (assuming the key went into the keyhole)
frozen lock or
lock malfunction

first step will be to try lub in your lock to see if that gets it freed up. tri flow works well.. after that, need more info..

ya need to read this... http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430
specially the first link on how to ask a question... all the other links are pertinent too. so look them over too..

w/o knowing what engine drive package ya got... look around the remote (the throttle, shifter control) control at the helm for a place to put the clip.. it's the dead mans switch. yer right, it's for when ya fall out of your boat while underway...

take a boating safety class somewhere.. united state power squadron, or us coastgaurd aux are a couple ideas. theres online courses too... these classes can be most helpful...

 

[gotzoom]

Re: Couple of Questions

Thanks for the suggestions. I think the key is the right one as it locks and unlocks the passenger side glove box. Unless they have seperate keys for this. I will try the lub trick and keep you posted. Engine is a 3.0 Merc (135hp).

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Couple of Questions

My bet is that you have the wrong key. Keys for the glove box, lockers etc and provided by the boat manufacturer. Keys for the ignition are provided by the engine manufacturer or drive system supplier and are not the same even though they might actually enter the lock. Check the area around the key switch itself and see if you can find a code (6F for example). Then check your keys. If you have a key with the same code, that's the correct key. If not, you likely don't have an ignition key. Are we to assume you bought this boat from a dealer and you did not hear it run since the ignition doesn't work? Very dangerous move if that's the case.

 

[gotzoom]

Re: Couple of Questions

I will check the key code sometime today and I will also be calling the dealer Monday morning. Yes, I did buy the boat without hearing it run but I did get a limited guarantee in writing which includes first time out trip with one of their personal service people and the assurance that if something is wrong they will fix it. I have to have this person with me the first time out or it would void the dealer guarantee. I hope that made sense. It was bought from a reputable dealer which is locally owned by a father and two sons. I also made the deal with one of those owners not a sales person hungry to make a deal. I guess what I am trying to say is that I felt very comfortable with the deal. I have been in sales for years including automobile and nothing seemed out of place. I have to admit that now you have me a little woried. Thanks for the input though

 

[superpop]

Re: Couple of Questions

If this is a used boat which I assume it is based on the year, then you probably should have had a mechanic look at the boat before paying for it. Too late for that now but I would look at your paperwork and find out what "fix it" means to them. If the boat runs fine but has low compression are they going to fix that for example. Also, since you were fiddling with the ignition key I have to assume you were interested in firing it up. Maybe not but if you do want to fire it up, DO NOT start it without a hose attached to the outdrive. I/O Boats have a cooling pump that needs a constant stream of water or the impeller in the pump burns up. Plus the motor can overheat if not supplied water. And if you do start the motor you then need to drain the block and drive if it is being stowed.

 

[gotzoom]

Re: Couple of Questions

Heavens no I was not planning on starting it. I also own an outboard so I know a few of the basics. Thank you though for the extra guidance. I won't be starting it until his people are with me for that first time. I have just contacted the previous owner, whom I just found out is a customer of mine, and just waiting for a call back. Thanks again to everyone and I will keep you posted

 

[Nandy]

Re: Couple of Questions

Never wise to buy a boat without a seatrial. How about if the boat does not perform like you wanted?
At this time your best bet is to wait for the seatrial or the previous owner.

 

[grego]

Re: Couple of Questions

winter always has the best buys on boats. the kill key connector should be on lower left dashboard. these guys are right about igin. and locker boxes keys not being the same. BUT if low battery, engine has slow responce. take out plugs and add charger to spin over the engine. If bought from dealer,I! am surprised that they did not start, then put under load, and then winterize for you?? MY .02

 

[H8tank]

Re: Couple of Questions

Make sure the gear shifter is in neutral, usually straight up.

 

[gotzoom]

Re: Couple of Questions

I contacted the dealer today and it appears they thought both sets of keys were in the boat. They advised me they would find the keys and if not they would make it right. I was also in contact with the previous owner whom purchased the boat new. He advised me the boat was in excellent condition when he traded it in this last fall and that he only had it out maybe 12-15 times and no more than 20 hours total time. He did mention that the boat was stored in a heated shop for 3 years without any water time. He also provided me with recepts of oil changes and annual maintenance. The dealer also confirmed winterization was completed when the boat was brought in.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Couple of Questions

if you have any friends or relatives close by that have some boating knowledge maybe have them go over stuff with you, I hope the dealer stands by his promise to you especially given it's a six year old Bayliner.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Couple of Questions

I guess living in Florida I have never encountered that problem, but how could you buy a boat and not even be able to use it for the first time until some months down the road?! I bet you the fine print on that dealer "guarantee" will read something like, "we will cover 50% of the cost, not to include (and some long list follows)." That dealer should have started the boat for you, how long do you have to wait before you can take the sea trial? Personally, that would be when I made my first payment.