Stratos 486SF owners with the model of 2005 or older

[bassinms]

I just got my 2007 Stratos 486SF boat and have some questions to see if I am doing something wrong or if other people are experiencing the same. Here are some of the issues I have.

1. About every 20-30 minutes I have to run the bilge. It runs for about 5 - 10 seconds each time constantly shooting water out of the boat. At first I thought it was when I stopped the water wants to shoot over the back of my boat, but as I drive it longer I wonder if I don't have another issues.

2. When you stop do you have to goose it some to keep the back of your boat from being drenched with water. I think the back end of these boats are too low.

3. When going at high speed, I can feel some water hit my foot and leg under the driver console and then my wife started feeling some water (sprinkles) hitting her foot under the other console.

4. I have cable steering and when I turn to the right, the boat will turn very easy, but when I try to turn left (no matter the speed) it takes both hands and a lot of muscle to turn. I am seriously thinking hydralic steering.

if you have a Stratos 486SF 2005 or older, I would love to talk to you shortly. You can send me an e-mail to jberry@wmt.com

thanks

[lkhartwl]

1) check all livewell connections ( pumps, inlets, outflows) as these are usually submerged in water no matter what so they may be the cause,

2) this may also be the cause you since this is your first boat( different post) you need to learn to drive it bass boats and bass boat off shoots ( fish and ski and ski and fish) have lower transoms and low back decks so as you stop dont drop donw and then sit there goose the engine a little in gear and get ahead of the wake, this also pertains to all lower transom boats even wally boats have wave deflectors on them look at infisherman boats and you will see it.

3) water on the foot is either a sign your speedo is leaking or your water pressure gauge is leaking, probably your speedo get someone to take the tubing off and snip off a small peice and then put back on and use a cable tie to hold it in place just shoving it on sometimes causes this problem, but those are the only 2 things water related under the dash or that have water going to them , if the problem presists replace speedo.

4) all boats have torque you can add a torque thing to the skeg and it may help but the inherent thing of a prop in the water pushing a hull with wet it aint like a car nor is it as easy to steer as a car, get a decent wernch to grease the cables and test out the steering you may need new cables or go the hydro route if you have a lot of money to burn 700-1000 dollars for the units alone not counting install time and labor.

Finally you have stated this is your first decent speed boat , well any hi speed boat you need seat time , the only boats I know of that you really dont are the older lead sled rangers which drove like a caddie slow and low. you are just learning on the boat use it and get the feel of it one of the best ways is not to take the family out and expect to drive it leave them at home till you know your and the boats limitations, you will enjoy the boat and the family outing more then the ever present questions from the wife and kids WHY IS this doing this DADDY? you will have an answer for them and some time driving under your belt.

[Todd Morgan]

An excellent answer and excellent advice.

[bassinms]

wow, Thanks lkhartwl for you detailed answer, I really appreciate it. I think I am more nervous than I should be and just trying to make sure everything is perfect when I don't think that is possible. If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions regaurding what you wrote.

1. As for checking the livewell connections, is there an easy way other than just looking for a possible leak on the visible parts...

3. You are saying that the water on my good can be the water pressure gauge leaking or the speedo. This boat does not have a water pressure gauge at the console, so I am guessing it is the speedo. Can you explain what a speedo is and what it would take to replace?

4. I think I am going to go the hydro route if I can get some of these other problems worked out. It is expensive, but it will allow my wife to be able to turn the steering wheel and I expect this boat to last me a very long time.

5. Since you are being so helpful, I hate to bother you with another question, but I just put a prop on the boat that runs good. However, at WAT (trimmed out), I am running 58 at 5800 rpms. I have a Mercury 150 and the RPM range should be between 5000-5600 according to the book. Do you think it is okay to keep this prop and not run wide open or should I search for a better prop. I had a 4 blade 23P trophy plus which was horrible as it made my boat stand up. I just put on a 3 blade 21p tempest plus and it is running much better, but my rpm's are a little high.

Thanks again for all your help.

[lkhartwl]

wow cudos from Todd, I must have had a senior moment on this post
Now Bassinms ( should make it bassums easier to remember ) you can do it 2 ways the first is make sure it is closed all the way and put the boat in the water, then only use the trolling motor and motor around for a few minutes, then go to the back access hatch and see if there is any water in the bilge if there is you probably have a leak in the inlet side or a not really well sealed inlet port in the hull. if no water then , you need to take the boat out of the water and fill the wells with the hose at homeand turn them on and see if it is a recycle problem or a pump out problem. it is a pain to try to figure out which it may or may not be. now again I bring up the point of your slow downs/stops if you are drenching the rear area including the splashwell you may be getting a ton of water in a number of places like the hole where the cables come out of , the lid to the battery access and also you may be filling your livewell too full and it is splashing out into the hull.
asd for the speedo and water on " she who must be obeyed's foot" your speedo pick up is a small hole in the front of the lower unit of the motor which allows water to run up a tube to the speedo which is pushed by water pressure, hense the ability to leak, the more pressure the worse the leak. you can get up behind the dash and check for the tube going to the back of the speedo and see if it has a cable tie on if not put one on it will hold it tighter , if it still leaks you can remove it or get the dealer ( not my first choice due to his prior record) to replace it make sure he puts a cable tie on the tube or else it may work off and you have the same problem.
replacing the speedo usually requires removing a nut or 2 and a bracket and a few wires if lighted and removal of the hose then just replace it it can be a hassle as they do not make dashes easy to get to for fat as*es like me but since you have a fish and ski you may have pedistile seats and it is easier to get under the dash then a regular bass boat.

Now your motor question: I do have a johnson but have had mercs ranging from 150 efi to 225 racing pro maxes so here goes, 58-60 is not great ( speedo speed) but decent for that hull I would first think of a jack plate but only when you get used to driving the boat, it is ok to run the engine 1-200 rpms over the rec limit I run my OMC up to 6000 sometimes just for a few ( ChampionMan doesnt know this so hush) but I usually keep it under the top end and you stated it can be done once in a while your rev limiter probably doesnt hit till almost 6000 so no worry, now the prop and you, first off if the prop has adjustable holes( plugs) ask the dealer especially if it is a brand new prop, get the full set and start with the smallest holes in trim all the way down and hit the throttle your boat should raise some then drop over at 3000-3500 rpms and then start trimming up, with the full set of adjustable plugs for either the 3 blade or the 4 blade you can find the sweet spot combo for take off, I run a 25 tempest on my 200 johnson on a 1994 201 stratos I use the smallest holes and my hole shot is killer plowing water at 3200 to where I have to trim up and then I get 64.1 gps in speed runs which is good for a heavy older boat with only a 200 on the but and my fat butt (275) and a full comp of tackle in the winter when colder I can hit 65-66 mph.
so try both props and use the adjustable plugs if the dealer wont let you find a merc dealer who will or even a omc dealer as they usually will have a set of plugs hanging around. you are in MS why not take it to Todd or to even Rusty 63 and get them to set the boat up will be wiorth the money and time also have Todd do the Hydro for you while up there.
now for a lesson in slowing down, first if on full plane start to slow not in a hurry always like driving make your moves and plan them way ahead, start to trim down just a little as you slow if you have a hot foot them slow down slowly and trim down to maybe 1/2 or 1/4 then let off the gas slowly not too slow but you get the gist dont just back off fast nice and easy as you stop goose the engine just a little to get a little ahead of the wake lok back and see what it takes all boats are different my gambler was a bitch to do, my stratos is a dream and most times I have not a drop in my splash well and none in my bilge. I never have to run my bilge pumpunless it is pouring rain and then only for a few.
try the 4 blade again as it also reduces torque and make sure the holes if a new prop are plugged as it sounds like the dealer did not know or was too lazy to really work with ya on this.

[ClarksHillGA]

I have a 2005 486SF and haven't experienced the water on your feet problem, but it sounds like you've received some good advice on that already. I do have the water trying to come over the back deck, but as someone else said, you just need more seat time. I now know when to bump the throttle after coming off plane to outrun that deckbound wave without even looking back. I'm not getting much, if any, water in the bilge except when using the built-in cooler (ice melts and drains into bilge) or when pulling skiers and tubers all day and water gets in the boat with folks coming in and out. I'm also running hydraulic steering, which is very smooth on the 486SF.

Do check your lug nuts. Mine were extermely loose when I got it. It's also good practice to check them everytime you go and check your tire PSI at the same time -- should be 50PSI cold.

I love my 486SF. Mine's got the Yamaha F-150 (4-stroke) and with 75 hours on it, the only problem has been the loose wheel lug nuts.

[bassinms]

lkhartwl,

First off, Thanks a ton for the advice. The reason I use bassinms is because it stands for bass'in Mississippi. Never though about bassums, just always used bassinms.

The dealer is sending me a 3 blade 23p prop to try and slow my rpm's down. Don't konw how much that will help because I am running 3 blade 21 p tempest at 58 @ 5800 rpm's. I think the truth is that the dealer I bought this from does not want to take the time to really help find the right prop and finely adjust to make the boat run smoother. The main reason I bought it from there is the company had the 2 colors I was looking at and I could see them side by side (or shall I say my wife could, you know it has to match the truck). When I took my wife to look at the colors, I could not turn it down.

I hate to pay someone else to set the boat up when I expected my dealer to do this. Worse case scenario, it looks like I might have to take your advice and call Todd. I still need that hydro steering as my wife can't steer the boat because it is too hard to turn left. I know other boat dealers don't like to work with other boats that were not bought from their store, so I just get a little worried. Although, I hear a lot of good things about Todd. Maybe I can work out a deal with him because I want to get hydro steering and a water pressure gauge put in. (humm)

I will definetly take your advice to help work the kinks out of the boat. I think I worry a little too much as this is my first (real) boat and trying to make everything perfect.

Thanks for your help.

[bassinms]

ClarksHillGA,

Thanks for the advice my fellow 486sf'r. Sounds like you got the better set up with the nice 4-stroke. I have the Mercury 150 EFI on mine and it seems to like the gas

Do you have a customer trailering cover for your boat? I am looking for one to go on my boat. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Glad to hear the hydro is working for you. I heard it will help tremendously, so I have got to put it on. My wife weighs about 110 soaking wet and can't turn the steering to the left, which means I can't get on the tube and enjoy

What size prop are you running on yours and what is your top speed / top rpm's?

Thanks,

[Todd Morgan]

Man we work on them all......I'm just glad you bought a Stratos and we'll be happy to help you anyway we can.

We do a lot with the factory to help new dealers and those who aren't well versed in different models........no grudges here!

[ClarksHillGA]

I do have a custom cover from Aurora Boat Covers and it was well worth the money considering the custom fit and better quality material. Take a look at http://www.auroracanvas.com/St...s.htm. I bought the green acrylic one on this page that is marked sold. There is also one in charcoal on this site ready to ship today for $575 or they can make one in the color and material of your choosing and ship it to you when it's done. It's a little more money than one at BPS or Wally World, but it fits like a glove and is of very good material and has the straps that go around the sides of the trailer not under the trailer which is a PITA. A small investment to protect a much larger one.

On the prop, I hate to say I don't even know. It's the standard 3-blade SS prop that Yamaha packaged with the motor. I get low 50s with it and I'm good with that and have no problems pulling skiers out of the water. And, yes, the gas usage on the 4-stroke is nice. I keep filling it up having owned all 2-strokes before and end up hauling the majority of gas home. But, as some will say, it's not the fastest, but my wife and young daughters won't let me go fast anyway when they're on board.

One other thing I forgot to mention. If you have the Lowrance X47, mine seems to want a little water around the tranducer to work right sometimes, ie I pour 1/2 inch in the bilge just to cover the puck. Have you noticed that on yours? I love my Stratos and have received many compliments on it. It's got a green flake gelcoat that looks best when on the dark green lakes here in GA.

[bassinms]

Todd,
Thanks a bunch. I just sent an e-mail to you. Hope you have a great 4th of July.

[bassinms]

ClarksHillGA,

I will have to take a look at those boat covers. You should send me some pics of yours to jberry@bellsouth.net. I will reply with my pics.

I have not paid much attention to how my Lowarance X47 works. My bilge is constantly full of water, so I am not sure if I have the same issue. I am going fishing tomorrow in the boat (for the first time) and I will pay more attention and let you know what I find out.

I have two boys (5 and 7) which go tubing behind the boat, but the problem is my 5 year don't want me going over 10 mph. I think this is how I am getting a lot of water in the bilge. Tomorrow should be able to tell the story as I am just going fishing.

[486SF]

Just tested and purchased the perfect all around out of the box prop for my 04 486SF with 04 Merc XR6 150. The prop is turbo 2+2 TH 4 blade - 14.25X22 pitch. Max rpms 5600-5700 speed 62 MPH. Holeshot and midrange out performs my 3 blade stainless 21 pitch prop.


Modified by 486SF at 4:54 PM 7/13/2007

[bassinms]

486SF,
Thanks for the informaiton. I am running a 3 blade 23 tempest now and it seems to work very well. I have to keep my max rpms in between 5000 - 5500, which is hard. I have not really tested this prop out to see the max rpms, but it seems to be right at 5500 - 5600 rpms. I will just have to watch it closer.

I will definetly keep this prop on my try list.