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2004 Seadoo Sportster 4-Tec questions

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wlester

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I accidentally posted this in the PWC forum. I hope I can get this answered here.

I have had the boat for 2 years. I just wish we had bought a Challenger...

Anyway, I have a few questions that some of you may think are really basic, but I still consider myself a noob when it comes to any electrical or hull questions.


Since the radio and speakers are installed on this boat, if I have the radio on while driving the boat, will it deplete the battery? I was told by my uncle (the guy that sold me the boat) to not use the radio and just bring along a boom-box. Boom-boxes get wet and why have a radio and speakers installed if the battery can't handle it?

The storage area below the windscreen is not draining, the cooler on the port side also doesn't drain when the ice melts, and when I pop the trunk, or storage area in the back, there is a hole there to, but I have to shop-vac that area also. I went to plug in the battery charger tonight and there was a foot of water in the storage area beneath the windscreen. Also, if this storage area has a name, I can't seem to find it anywhere. There is a black tube-ish container in there for the fire extinguisher and tools. It looks like the drain is beneath it, but I can't take it out. It isn't screwed in, it is riveted. What am I supposed to do here?

About the windscreen... I noticed there is a shock absorber installed at the base. Is this supposed to hold it up? If it slips out of my hands, it comes down with a bang and there are already a couple stress cracks in it.

When I plug in the battery charger at night, the light is red, meaning that it needs to be charged. When I get up and check it, the light is never green. It has worked fine for over 2 years, so what is the deal with the charger? Do I need a new battery, charger or both? Is this normal?

Where is the bilge pump located? When I bring the boat home after an afternoon of boating, I have to get my shop-vac and suck all of the water out of the engine compartment. Albeit, it isn't a lot and nothing is underwater, but if I turn the bilge pump on, where does it pump water out of? Actually, I tried turning it on today but I couldn't hear anything. Maybe it is so quiet? I guess I was listening for something as loud at when I switch on the ventilation switch.

Just what are those holes in the side of my boat for? Not holes like somebody shot it. I thought a couple of years ago I saw water pouring out of one while I was loading it up onto the trailer.

The 12 volt outlet wan't working, so I took out the glovebox and saw that not only were the wires not connected, but the outlet was just rolling around. How can I remove this part of the boat so I can easily replace or repair the 12 volt outlet? Also, is it a proprietary part for this boat or can I go to Fleet Farm and buy one for $6.99? I would like to have it so that we can inflate some towables while on the boat. I asked the dealer if it could be fixed, and they said it would be $120.

What is the easiest way to keep rain water out of your boat with the cover on? I have the factory cover and I bought a rain tower thing to raise part of the cover up so water won't pool in it. This is almost impossible to use because when I tighten the boat cover, it always falls down unless I have someone tighten the cover while I hold it in place the best I can through the boat cover. I thought the cover would keep the rain out, but like I said in question 2, I had that area beneath the windscreen full of water.

That's pretty much it for now.

Thanks for the answers in advance.
 
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In regards to your battery.

You should be able to use the radio while the boat is running with no issues.

Based on your description, you are either not charging it have a poor battery.

Fire in up and read the volts at the battery with a meter. Both at idle and rev the engine a bit. Tell us what you find.
 
if I have the radio on while driving the boat, will it deplete the battery?
No, it will only deplete while engine is off.

About the windscreen... I noticed there is a shock absorber installed at the base. Is this supposed to hold it up?
Should hold it up while fully open. Will come crashing down if you let it go from the half open position. Common problem that gas strut goes flat, and no longer holds it open.

the cooler on the port side also doesn't drain when the ice melts
Common problem. Some posts here about people fishing the drain with a coat hanger.

Where is the bilge pump located?
Center back of engine bay. Actually a bit more to the port side. Mine is white and is clearly labeled "Bilge pump".

where does it pump water out of?
A hole on the exterior hull right next to the driver seat.

I tried turning it on today but I couldn't hear anything. Maybe it is so quiet?
Very quiet, but I can hear my bilge pump in my closed garage. Not on the water however because of ambient noise.

Just what are those holes in the side of my boat for? Not holes like somebody shot it. I thought a couple of years ago I saw water pouring out of one while I was loading it up onto the trailer.
Thats the one!


I have to get my shop-vac and suck all of the water out of the engine compartment. Albeit, it isn't a lot and nothing is underwater
A little puddling is normal, as the bilge pump is not is a sump, and the level of the boat can affect where the water puddles. Make sure to open the drains while trailering, most of the water will come out when you tow uphill. Or if you have a strong back, just lift the hitch all the way up, tipping boat and the water out of the drains.

The 12 volt outlet wan't working, so I took out the glovebox and saw that not only were the wires not connected, but the outlet was just rolling around. How can I remove this part ...
There is just a screw ring around the treaded body on mine, should just twist the ring and out it will come.

I would like to have it so that we can inflate some towables while on the boat.
Read the instructions for the air pump, you may need to swap a bigger fuse for the 12v outlet. Mine powers a coleman marine inflator fine with a bigger fuse.

What is the easiest way to keep rain water out of your boat with the cover on?
Keep it in the garage!
 
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Thanks for the info. So I had tried the bilge pump while on the lake, so I probably couldn't hear it with the wind.

Thanks for not making me look too absent minded. :stupid:
 
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