managermania Posted March 23, 2009 Posted March 23, 2009 I just bought my first boat and I have a couple of questions. I tried to post pics but they are too big. First, there are some extra wires behind the trolling motor plug plate. The boat has no bow mounted fish finder. Could those be used for that? I am recarpeting the boat now and it looks like under the carpet there are holes drilled for what possibly used to be a fish finder. Trying to find power for the FF. Second, on the very bottom rear of the boat below the transom there are 3 holes. What are these holes for? Right above those holdes there are two pipes coming out with mesh strainers on them which I am assuming go to the aerators for the live wells. Again, I am a newbie and do not want to sink the thing b/c I forgot a plug! Thanks for the help and advice! Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 23, 2009 Super User Posted March 23, 2009 Some more simple (stupid) questions, what is the brand/model, motor horse power, and what is the age of the boat? Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted March 24, 2009 Super User Posted March 24, 2009 First of all, attach a voltmeter to the two spare wires. Turn the boat key on. If the meter goes from zero to twelve volts, that's where you would hook up the power to your FF. As for the three holes in the stern, they could be for a transducer, speedometer, or even a temperature gauge. From your description, there's no way of knowing. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 24, 2009 Super User Posted March 24, 2009 I'm thinking the three holes are two for livewell drains and the other is bilge drain. That is why I asked for the boat information. With two screened openings it may have two separate livewells. Quote
managermania Posted March 24, 2009 Author Posted March 24, 2009 Sorry! It is a 1996 Javelin 369SE. Johnson 115 fast strike Thanks to all!!! Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted March 24, 2009 Super User Posted March 24, 2009 Are the three holes the size of screws? Quote
managermania Posted March 24, 2009 Author Posted March 24, 2009 I would say they are the size of dimes surrounded by a rubber fitting. The hole in the middle has a plug in it. I cannot post links yet or I would attach a link to some photos. Thanks Quote
clipper Posted March 24, 2009 Posted March 24, 2009 The hole in the middle with the plug is the bilge drain. Take the plug out and make sure the rubber is still pliable. If not, replace it. If it is, buy a spare the same size and put it in the boat. Take the plug out when the boat is not in the water so it doesn't hold rain water in the bilge. Make sure the plug is in before you launch the boat, always! If the wires behind the trolling motor plug come off the plug itself then they are from the trolling motor batteries. Your depth finder should be powered from the cranking battery to avoid interference from the trolling motor. There should be a set of wires for the fishfinder on the opposite side of the boat from the trolling motor wires. One should be red, the other black and they should not be hooked to anything up front. If you find them, trace them to the rear of the boat and make sure they come off the cranking battery and have an inline fuse in them. If you don't find them buy some 18 guage wire from an auto parts store, an inline fuse(fish finder manual should tell you what amp fuse, buy spares) and two ring terminals that will fit your battery terminals. Install the wires yourself and run them on the oppposite side from the trolling motor wires. It makes a neater job if you buy some small tywraps and put them around the wires every 3 feet or so to keep them bundled together. Last of all, affix some kind of permanent tag to the wires at the battery so you can label them for future reference. Black goes to the negative terminal, red to the positive. Same at the fish finder. If you buy a new fish finder it will have specific instructions for wiring, follow them. My Lowrance manual also says to put a switch in the power feed to the fish finder and turn it off when the unit is not on the boat to keep the connector terminals from corroding. If you will trace those other two hoses on the back of the boat, you will find they lead to the live wells. You should also have one or two pumps in the bilge. Put a little water in it and make sure they work. Good luck with the boat, you will have fun figuring everything out. I bet you could go online and download the owners manual for the boat. That will save you a lot of time. Also, make sure you know if you have an oil injection system or not. Always keep oil in the reservoir if you do and keep some spare oil in the boat. Since this is your first boat, I would take it to a mechanic, have him check it out, and show you how to properly operate and maintain it. Then take a boating safety course. Take an experienced bass boater to the lake the first time you go. Sorry for the long post, hope it wasn't TMI. Quote
managermania Posted March 24, 2009 Author Posted March 24, 2009 Wow! I cannot thank you enough! Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 24, 2009 Super User Posted March 24, 2009 My last fiberglass bass boat was a Javelin. All the small wires at the bow are hooked to the starting battery unless the previous owner used one set of the battery wires for something other than the trolling motor. You should have 4-6 ga. wires going to the trolling motor plug-2 red and 2 black. Do you still have the 12/24V OMC trolling motor? The original plastic drain plug has a keeper on it will keep it hanging from the drain when it is unscrewed. Quote
lineslinger Posted March 24, 2009 Posted March 24, 2009 Could that space with the three holes be where the bilge pump was located? Quote
managermania Posted March 24, 2009 Author Posted March 24, 2009 The trolling motor is still mounted and works but there are a left over red and black pair. Below is a link with a photo of it. Quote
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