CoastalBoater
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 25
- Reaction score
- 18
- Points
- 62
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2018
- Boat Model
- 242 Limited S E-Series
- Boat Length
- 24
Hello again all. I picked up my first jet boat yesterday (not counting my waverunner) a 2018 242 SE . I got it home but it was a process. Hopefully others can learn from some of this. As stated in in another post I was looking at a used 242 from a private seller and had it inspected but had not gotten to water test. I drove about 4 hours yesterday AM and we were able to put it in and the water test went fine. The boat had corrosion and much of the starboard pump was replaced under warranty and so we had picked up it straight from the dealer from service to put it in. After completing the sale, I hitched it up and the seller very kindly helped me remove the bimini and put on the cover. I knew there was no spare tire and should have bought one prior to picking it up. I did not know for sure I was going to get the boat though so figured was going to get new tires and spare etc after. You can tell already where this is going. The trailer is a 2019 Phoenix aluminum with dual axle disc brakes. It had four radial tires that looked okay I thought. I should have noticed though that it had two Loadstar radials on one side and two Karrier on the other. Odd for a 2-3 year old trailer. I tested all the lug nuts, applied straps to the boat (it had none) and headed for home. The trailer has a 5 pin flat connector and and I only had a 7 pin to 4 pin connector. That works but does not provide the reverse solenoid to lock out the brakes.
About half way home on the interstate I noticed that the bimini frame came loose from the tower attachment knob and flipped up. Thankfully, it did not come off at the hinges. I was able to exit and pull down a road to partially take off the cover and lower and replace the knob and tighten it again. I was pretty sure that I had done so before taking it in the first place. In the process of locking out the trailer surge to back up (I finally remembered that you can turn on the lights and then place the brake pin from the trailer to the running lights socket on the vehicle) I realized the surge cylinder was all the way in. I checked the brake fluid and it was low. I got back on the interstate after turning around to go to the next exit for brake fluid.
A couple miles down the road I felt it vibrating and someone in another car signaled I had a flat. I got off at the next exit and one of the Loadstar tires was flat. Thankfully there was an Orielly Auto Parts store at the exit. I could not see anything in it (figured I had pickued up something on the short stretch of dirt road I was on) so tried inflating it without any luck hoping to be able to plug it. I finally looked on the inside and found it blew out the inner sidewall over a foot long. So now stuck with no spare on Friday evening I started calling around and finally found a Firestone 20 min away with one tire. So I went to pulling off the wheel and the lugs were rusted on. Even with PB blaster very hard to turn and I broke one wheel stud taking it off. Thankfully I was able beat out the stud from the hub. The wheel had some rim damage where it was bent a bit from when it wetn flat. I was able to unhitch the trailer (not easy as the jack is a little to short for my vehicle and had likely never been lubricated.) I left the boat there and drove to get the tire changed right at Firestone right before they closed. The guy was able to beat the rim back enough to mount the tire. I drove back to the boat and searched through many studs in Oreilly and found a suitable match and nut. Now in the dark was able to replace the wheel stud and mount the tire, putting anti seize on all the studs. I filled up the brake fluid and headed out again.
I took it a lot slower on the interstate and made it back at about 10:30 last night. The boat is now over at Goodyear getting a set of Endurance tires as was my plan in the first place. I cannot get the brakes in for service until after Easter. I had the boat inspected but obviously the trailer really needed it more. I could have boutght it and brought it straight to get tires and brakework and went back to pick up another day. That would have been a pain as well. Hindsight.
So I have a few questions. Am I the only one that has stuff like this happen to them?
I feel very lucky that the entire bimini frame did not come off on the interstate and kill someone. I included a pic of the knob attachment. Am I missing something. When I got home last night it was a little loose again. I will strap it down for towing now. Any other ideas?
I feel lucky that the other tire on that side did not give up also and toss me and the boat off the road on the interstate. Also lucky that the tire did no shred and toast the fender or the boat. I bought two new galvanized rims to replace the bent rim and one for a spare. I am thinking I will just mount the new Primewell? radial I got from Firestone on a new rim and use that for a spare. Would it be better to toss that and buy another Endurance for a spare?
I was worried about my tow vehicle a 2018 Yukon XL which I would have thought was plenty but the rating is only 6300 lbs as it does not have the HD trailering package. It seemed to do fine. I realize I will be close the boat and Al trailer is 5000 lbs. So loaded weight close to 6k even 6300. The real difference with the trailering package is the rear end and air leveling suspension. Brakes and coolers etc are the same. Mine is 3.08 rear end ratio and the trailer package 3.42. I will tow on the Gulf Coast so flat sea level. I will change it out later but I would be much more worried if towing in mountainous terrain. How much of a priority should I make trading out the truck to another with the 3.42? It did bounce a little and I think the boat will need to be moved forward to add some more toungue weight. I will have this done with the trailer brake service. It also looks like the trailer front is really long and I am considering having them cut a couple feet off the front trailer tube and remount the actuator?
I am ready to get started on my long shopping list for the boat (thanks to this forum.) I hope to put it the water again this afternoon. Knowing the rules… pic included from this morning.
About half way home on the interstate I noticed that the bimini frame came loose from the tower attachment knob and flipped up. Thankfully, it did not come off at the hinges. I was able to exit and pull down a road to partially take off the cover and lower and replace the knob and tighten it again. I was pretty sure that I had done so before taking it in the first place. In the process of locking out the trailer surge to back up (I finally remembered that you can turn on the lights and then place the brake pin from the trailer to the running lights socket on the vehicle) I realized the surge cylinder was all the way in. I checked the brake fluid and it was low. I got back on the interstate after turning around to go to the next exit for brake fluid.
A couple miles down the road I felt it vibrating and someone in another car signaled I had a flat. I got off at the next exit and one of the Loadstar tires was flat. Thankfully there was an Orielly Auto Parts store at the exit. I could not see anything in it (figured I had pickued up something on the short stretch of dirt road I was on) so tried inflating it without any luck hoping to be able to plug it. I finally looked on the inside and found it blew out the inner sidewall over a foot long. So now stuck with no spare on Friday evening I started calling around and finally found a Firestone 20 min away with one tire. So I went to pulling off the wheel and the lugs were rusted on. Even with PB blaster very hard to turn and I broke one wheel stud taking it off. Thankfully I was able beat out the stud from the hub. The wheel had some rim damage where it was bent a bit from when it wetn flat. I was able to unhitch the trailer (not easy as the jack is a little to short for my vehicle and had likely never been lubricated.) I left the boat there and drove to get the tire changed right at Firestone right before they closed. The guy was able to beat the rim back enough to mount the tire. I drove back to the boat and searched through many studs in Oreilly and found a suitable match and nut. Now in the dark was able to replace the wheel stud and mount the tire, putting anti seize on all the studs. I filled up the brake fluid and headed out again.
I took it a lot slower on the interstate and made it back at about 10:30 last night. The boat is now over at Goodyear getting a set of Endurance tires as was my plan in the first place. I cannot get the brakes in for service until after Easter. I had the boat inspected but obviously the trailer really needed it more. I could have boutght it and brought it straight to get tires and brakework and went back to pick up another day. That would have been a pain as well. Hindsight.
So I have a few questions. Am I the only one that has stuff like this happen to them?
I feel very lucky that the entire bimini frame did not come off on the interstate and kill someone. I included a pic of the knob attachment. Am I missing something. When I got home last night it was a little loose again. I will strap it down for towing now. Any other ideas?
I feel lucky that the other tire on that side did not give up also and toss me and the boat off the road on the interstate. Also lucky that the tire did no shred and toast the fender or the boat. I bought two new galvanized rims to replace the bent rim and one for a spare. I am thinking I will just mount the new Primewell? radial I got from Firestone on a new rim and use that for a spare. Would it be better to toss that and buy another Endurance for a spare?
I was worried about my tow vehicle a 2018 Yukon XL which I would have thought was plenty but the rating is only 6300 lbs as it does not have the HD trailering package. It seemed to do fine. I realize I will be close the boat and Al trailer is 5000 lbs. So loaded weight close to 6k even 6300. The real difference with the trailering package is the rear end and air leveling suspension. Brakes and coolers etc are the same. Mine is 3.08 rear end ratio and the trailer package 3.42. I will tow on the Gulf Coast so flat sea level. I will change it out later but I would be much more worried if towing in mountainous terrain. How much of a priority should I make trading out the truck to another with the 3.42? It did bounce a little and I think the boat will need to be moved forward to add some more toungue weight. I will have this done with the trailer brake service. It also looks like the trailer front is really long and I am considering having them cut a couple feet off the front trailer tube and remount the actuator?
I am ready to get started on my long shopping list for the boat (thanks to this forum.) I hope to put it the water again this afternoon. Knowing the rules… pic included from this morning.
