I have a 1992 Regulator 26CC with a 7.4 L Volvo Penta 740A freshwater cooled with Power Steering. This April, after sitting for a month or two, the fuel guage was not working (and still isn't). We had an existing power steering leak and hydraulic steering leak as the seals were old and needed work. I replaced the rams (both of them) as the rebuild kits were darn near the cost of NOS parts on ebay. Backed her down the boat ramp and she ran great. Took for a test run and she got hot. Tightened belts, still got hot. It only gets hot after going from high RPM's to idle. Replaced belts, still hot. Pulled Raw Water pump out, (too tight to pull impeller) and impeller was intact. However the seal inside the pump housing looked damaged so i replaced the entire pump. Reassembled everything, backed her into the water and CLICK....CLICK....CLICK. No start. Cleaned battery posts and leads...nothing. Used booster pack...nothing...jumper cables nothing...Removed batteries and had Auto Parts Store Test them 12.6V each and CCA checked out. Must be the starter. Tore down Starboard riser and manifolds to get starter off and had it tested...BAD STARTER. Reinstalled, reassembled and turned key...dual battery switch set to both. Nothing and Voltmeter dropped to less than zero and stayed there for a few seconds before climbing back up. Set battery selector to one battery and the same thing happened. Set to number two battery and she started right up. BACK to the original problem I ran the boat and she still got hot just as before. Replaced thermostat today and still same problem. The next thing I was going to do was take upper gear box off and check/replace inlet pipe on drive. BUT.....I have read that another person had a similar problem and it ended up being the gauge. I have VDO gauges that are all wired together in the console. Last year I had to replace the temp sender and oil guage but evereything has always worked fine. I have put 1200 hours on her since buying in 2007 and electrical problems have been non-existent. I am wonderin if my dead fuel gauge, intermittent hot water temp readings and freaked out number one battery could be related. Today I put a stethescope on the engine and noticed a dragging noise in the alternator (new in 2008) and also noticed fluctuations in voltage corresponding to the noise. Am I better off eliminating the possible mechanical causes prior to chasing the electrical gremlin. Can a bad battery harm the gauges. Although I think it is unrelated, it is worth mentioning that my Garmin 3205 backlight does not work in daytime mode, except when the boat is being started it will flash for a nanosecond then back to being impossibly dark (but still on).