Originally Posted by Firestone (Post 62395)

There is a small hose that runs from your outdrive to the back of your speedometer for it to measure the water pressure. No wires are evolved. Search the site for more info. I pulled mine from the speedometer and applied a very low setting from my air compressor to clean mine out only to have it clogged with weeds on the next outing lol. Good luck! Oh and if you pulled make sure to zip tie it or you will have water shooting at you from the underside of the dash.

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Originally Posted by Maciej (Post 62392)

So this past weekend we finally got our Talari 180 on the water. I was a bit anxious as first time with anything but our jet boat, and gave the people at the boat launch a scare/show when I was trying to turn the boat around and applied a wee bit too much throttle :) Is the bow not supposed to go that high at the launch? ;)

Anyway, she seemed to do just fine and I think I got in the groove fairly quickly, trim down all the way to start, about 1/2 when we were on plane. Still need time to play with that and find the sweet spot. Speedo seems not to be working but we know how reliable those are, so can't tell you speeds. She got on plane fairly quickly, I would say 5 seconds maybe, although the bow up in the air that high is new to me. I'll have to time it next time. Running a 21 pitch aluminum 3 blade, and have a dinged 21 for spare as well as original 23p. I was surprised to find we were topping out around 5k rpm, I was expecting more at the top of the engine rpm band of 4600-4800 with the 21p from what I've read. Obviously didn't keep it there long and cruised mostly around 4200-4400. At some point may need to use a proper gauge to verify before tinkering with 4 blade props/pitch. Main focus will be water sports and maneuverability, so not concerned with top end.

Watching my other gauges, temp stayed in the 160-170 range I believe, and oil pressure was around 40 or just over at 4200-4400 rpm, and at first alarming low at idle, right near the bottom, but I would say a few psi. From my reading it seems 30-70 at running speeds and 4 at idle is right for the 4.3, so I think we are ok. For cruising I had the trim at about half on the gauge, will need to play around with that.

Steering was less precise than I am used to on the jet boat that just carved the water, but I didn't really get on it too hard yet. I did try to play around with the trim and was trimming down a bit and giving some throttle during turns.

I think as much as the wife was initially thrilled with buying this boat, the extra weight, compared to our 1100lb Seadoo Challenger, and the extra controls with the trim adjustments while running, are now overwhelming her a bit. She also wasn't thrilled looking through the windshield, used to being closer to the water and unobstructed views. I tried to point out that had we got the larger Seadoo boats we were looking at the windshield/height above the water issue would be the same. I think a little steeper learning curve and comfort she had with the other boat have scared her, but she will get used to it. Plus once we get towing tubes/skiers she will hopefully realize the full benefit.

Overall, had a great first day with the boat, happy she started and ran so well, quick to plane, smooth and quiet ride.

Couple of questions to finish off this long post.

For the copper/brass screw in drain plug, this is new to me and I don't see a seal. I've heard you can use it as is or use teflon tape. Thoughts? The boat will mostly be staying in the water at the dock for the next 3-4 months.

Also, I realized that I don't have a plug at the top of the outdrive where one would unscrew the anode that is right above the prop. Is it absolutely necessary and can I just pick that up at a marina/shop or what do I search for to order this part?



Thanks all for reading my long post :)

Originally Posted by Maciej (Post 62392)

So this past weekend we finally got our Talari 180 on the water. I was a bit anxious as first time with anything but our jet boat, and gave the people at the boat launch a scare/show when I was trying to turn the boat around and applied a wee bit too much throttle :) Is the bow not supposed to go that high at the launch? ;)

Your boat has a very heavy engine/drive combo in the back that causes it to rise up. Smart Tabs or regular (expensive) ones will stop that. I would not go higher than 60 lb tabs on your boat.

... and at first alarming low at idle, right near the bottom, but I would say a few psi. From my reading it seems 30-70 at running speeds and 4 at idle is right for the 4.3, so I think we are ok.

4 PSI at idle is the absolute minimum given in the Mercruiser manual. I would change the oil immediately just in case there is some contamination like gas or water. Use the recommended 25W-40 (hard to find ) oil.
...
Steering was less precise than I am used to on the jet boat that just carved the water, but I didn't really get on it too hard yet.

The I/O unit is much heavier than the jet drive unit.

Couple of questions to finish off this long post.
For the copper/brass screw in drain plug, this is new to me and I don't see a seal. I've heard you can use it as is or use teflon tape. Thoughts? The boat will mostly be staying in the water at the dock for the next 3-4 months.

As said before, use Teflon tape just like in plumbing fittings.

Also, I realized that I don't have a plug at the top of the outdrive where one would unscrew the anode that is right above the prop. Is it absolutely necessary and can I just pick that up at a marina/shop or what do I search for to order this part?

Not sure about that. Can you post a photo? Do you have a late model Bravo 3 drive? Those bolt from the bottom.

OOPs. I guess you meant you are just missing the plug.

Try this site for the plug: http://www.iboats.com/Mercruiser-Ste...view_id.268710