Hello Everyone,

This is my first posting on the boating section. So, I apologize if this
question has been placed before.
I just purchased a used 1988 19' Fish/Sky Stratos 1800 XL and I would like
to know a couple of thing about this craft before I touch it.

1. Can anyone tell me where I can get an accurate market price of a boat?
like N.A.D.A or something like that?
2. My speedometer doesn't work? I can see the plastic piece on the transom
but I can get any speed on the instrument? What is the general problem with
these devices? what should I check or replace first in order to get it
fixed.
3. The gas gauge instrument doesn;t work either, what would be the cause of
this? or WHere should I strat troubleshooting this issue?
4. I just purchased a deep/fish finder. Is there's a website that tells you
how to do the installation? I'm afraid of drilling holes on the transom
although I have a I/O but I'm new on boating and I just want to make sure I
get this right.

Thanks for the help in advance.

PD - I checked with the manufacturer and they don;t have any info on this.

On Thu, 04 Nov 2004 14:50:10 GMT, "GX" wrote:

Hello Everyone,

This is my first posting on the boating section. So, I apologize if this
question has been placed before.
I just purchased a used 1988 19' Fish/Sky Stratos 1800 XL and I would like
to know a couple of thing about this craft before I touch it.

1. Can anyone tell me where I can get an accurate market price of a boat?
like N.A.D.A or something like that?

http://www.nada.com/

2. My speedometer doesn't work? I can see the plastic piece on the transom
but I can get any speed on the instrument? What is the general problem with
these devices? what should I check or replace first in order to get it
fixed.

Disconnect it at the speedo gauge and at the plastic plunger. Blow
through it to clear any water. Reconnect and test by forcing air into
the line. If the speedo is good, it will show a speed. If it isn't,
then go to a hardware store, get new line and repeat. If it still
doesn't work, then replace the speedo.

3. The gas gauge instrument doesn;t work either, what would be the cause of
this? or WHere should I strat troubleshooting this issue?

I believe on that boat, the sending unit is on the top of the gas tank
which I think is located just forward of the engine compartment. You
can reach it pretty easily from the engine compartment, but I'm not
totally familiar with that boat.

Same process though - just check the resistance/voltage from the
sending unit (you can do this at the gauge), then test the gauge.
Eventually you will be able to see what the problem is. You can
probably find the values for the sending unit and the gauge at the
manufacturer's web site or at the very least, a tech support person at
the company.

4. I just purchased a deep/fish finder. Is there's a website that tells you
how to do the installation? I'm afraid of drilling holes on the transom
although I have a I/O but I'm new on boating and I just want to make sure I
get this right.

You have a couple of options. One is to place the transducer puck
inside the hull, but you lose sensitivity. The best place for the
transducer is at least 18" from the drive unit on the transom. People
get overly concerned about drilling and installing on the transom, but
they don't' have to be. Judicious use of a good silicone sealer on
the screws holding the transducer in place.

If you do place it on the transom, make sure you have plenty of
up/down adjustment range so that you can get a clear shot through the
water. It doesn't really matter if the transducer is in the hull slip
stream, you have to have it in clear water.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

TTFN,

Tom

"Bodies are for hookers and fat people."
Bender - "Futurama"

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in
message news

You have a couple of options. One is to place the transducer puck
inside the hull, but you lose sensitivity. The best place for the
transducer is at least 18" from the drive unit on the transom. People
get overly concerned about drilling and installing on the transom, but
they don't' have to be. Judicious use of a good silicone sealer on
the screws holding the transducer in place.

If you do place it on the transom, make sure you have plenty of
up/down adjustment range so that you can get a clear shot through the
water. It doesn't really matter if the transducer is in the hull slip
stream, you have to have it in clear water.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

TTFN,

Another tip is to attach the transducer (and bracket) to a board which
is then clamped or screwed to the transom above the water line. This
also allows for easily adjusting the position and depth for optimum
function if a clamp is used.

del cecchi

"del cecchi" wrote in message
...

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in
message news

You have a couple of options. One is to place the transducer puck
inside the hull, but you lose sensitivity. The best place for the
transducer is at least 18" from the drive unit on the transom. People
get overly concerned about drilling and installing on the transom, but
they don't' have to be. Judicious use of a good silicone sealer on
the screws holding the transducer in place.

If you do place it on the transom, make sure you have plenty of
up/down adjustment range so that you can get a clear shot through the
water. It doesn't really matter if the transducer is in the hull slip
stream, you have to have it in clear water.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

TTFN,

Another tip is to attach the transducer (and bracket) to a board which
is then clamped or screwed to the transom above the water line. This
also allows for easily adjusting the position and depth for optimum
function if a clamp is used.

del cecchi



Bass Pro shops has a predrilled and threaded plate that you can attach to
the transom. Then when you change to a different transducer / finder there
are no new holes drilled.