Gauges not working -- how concerned should I be?

popsovy

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Aug 6, 2020
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I am about to buy my first boat. It's Ranger R81 1999 with Mercury 2007 ProXS 175HP Outboard. The seller claims that the boat runs fine, but only fuel and RPM gauges are working -- other gauges don't work. Also, the seller sent me a picture of the throttle, shown in the attached image. To me it doesn't look like a very professional job was done on the pedal, but I have never been around boats so don't know if this looks like a hack job or not.

In situations where the outboard is not the original motor that came with the boat, how concern should I be about gauges not working, throttle pedals looking like the one in the picture?

Thanks for your advice!
 

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DeepCMark58A

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Have somebody that knows something about boats look at the boat before you consider purchasing.
 

alldodge

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Agree, if you don't know how to check the boat and motor out find someone which will do

Never buy a boat with a test ride
 

mike_i

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Jun 28, 2017
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I'd loose interest in a boat with already known problems. To me it shows the owner didn't maintain the boat, who knows what what else is wrong. I'm sure alldodge meant to say never buy a boat WITHOUT a test ride.
 

gm280

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Jun 26, 2011
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As much as you are wanting a boat, you really need to educate yourself about them so you are both able to actually drive one, and understand the particulars of any boat.

Just like old cars, boats can look pretty, but have tons of issues with them that you will have to deal with after the purchase. And for the record, every used boat you will buy will have something that needs attention. If is just how used boats are...

With vehicles, it is the engine, transmission and RUST. With boats, it is the trailer, engine, and ROT! Most boats were built using wood as the substructure and then polyester resins over top that wood. And even a nice "LOOKING" boat can have serious rot underneath those good looks! So fine someone that knows about boats and have them evaluate the boat you are looking to buy first. Could save you a lot of heartache and lots of real work... JMHO
 

Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
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Fuel and tach are the most important gauges. That motor should have an overheat alarm. Water pressure gauge is a good idea, but not many boats come with them. I would recommend you install one.

Trim gauge is almost useless. Speedo is inaccurate. Voltmeter is nice, but not real important.

I never installed a "hotfoot", so I cannot comment on that. Controls need to be compatible for a Mercury to work properly
 

KD4UPL

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Feb 13, 2010
Messages
678
I'd assume the gauges didn't work for one of 2 reasons. Either the guy didn't know how to hook them up right or repair them which would cause me to wonder what else wasn't right. Or, he intentionally has them unhooked to hide a problem.
Either way, I wouldn't be very interested in the boat unless everything else about it was just exactly what I was looking for.
Never guy a boat without a test drive. Having it running on muffs in the driveway doesn't count. If you can't run it in a body of water for while to really see how it runs don't buy it.
 

Chris1956

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So most of the comments condemn the boat as likely in bad shape, because some gauges don't work. Stuff like that breaks all the time.

Gee, how about recommending someone with some knowledge look at it for the OP? It is a pretty simple setup. An OB on a bass boat is about as simple as they come.
 

dwco5051

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Sep 14, 2008
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So most of the comments condemn the boat as likely in bad shape, because some gauges don't work. Stuff like that breaks all the time.

Gee, how about recommending someone with some knowledge look at it for the OP? It is a pretty simple setup. An OB on a bass boat is about as simple as they come.
Not a deal breaker in itself if the rest of the boat is in good shape. As was said get someone with knowledge of boats to look it over with you. I don't know if it is still true but Ranger was one of the few boat makers that have full wiring diagrams available.
 

JimS123

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Jul 27, 2007
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Fuel and tach are the most important gauges. That motor should have an overheat alarm. Water pressure gauge is a good idea, but not many boats come with them. I would recommend you install one.

Trim gauge is almost useless. Speedo is inaccurate. Voltmeter is nice, but not real important.

I never installed a "hotfoot", so I cannot comment on that. Controls need to be compatible for a Mercury to work properly

My trim gauge has saved me many, many times. It tells me exactly when the prop is above the bottom of the boat so if I'm in shallow water the prop simply cannot hit thew bottom.

A well maintained speedo is within 1 mph. My 1952 model with cast bronze parts is spot on GPS. Of course, nobody ever replaces their hoses and of course they don't make them like they used to.

A voltmeter will tell you if your electrical system is charging or not. Other than running out of gas I'd guess that dead batteries is the second in terms of needing a tow.

In other words, my boat will have all the gauges.
 

Chris1956

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Hey Jim, how do you know you are in shallow water? Depth gauge maybe?

If you know the depth of the water, you know how close the prop is to the bottom, as it does not change. You do not need a trim gauge to tell you to trim the motor, when the water is 2' or less. At least I don't.

I would much prefer the depth gauge. I have found Trim gauges to be unreliable and slow to respond.

Your speedo is a wonder. Most are not nearly that accurate. That is why professional ski boats had two of them, at least until GPS was available.

Voltmeters are useful. Not nearly as useful as fuel gauges and tachometers, IMHO.
 
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