Need some help---She's dead

[sailor55330]

Tried to take the boat out today and go through the routine. Plug in, battery switch on, blower on, back down the ramp, turn the key, let the fuel pump initialize and the dash come to life and beep. Turn the key and absolutely nothing, not even a click. The radio works, the dash registers all gauges, the chartplotter turns on, trim works fine, but absolutely nothing from the key other than the fuel pump. My first through was it's the kill switch, so I pulled that and when I tried to turn on the key, I get no dash. I push and hold the kill button with my finger and the dash comes back. I put the lanyard back in and the dash comes back, but again, nothing, not even a click, even with both batteries combined. It's just simply dead. I didn't see a check engine code or anything on the dash, but will look again.

The batteries are less than 6 weeks old and we've had the boat out 3- times this year and put close to 20hrs on her and she's ran like a top, now this.

I've got the batteries on a charger now, but I'm not sure how that could be the issue with new batteries and the main switch being turned off (no parasitic draw). I even tried to use a jump pack on it and again, nothing.

I checked all the breakers on the panel and nothing was flipped. How can a boat go from running perfectly to absolutely nothing after sitting on the trailer for 2 weeks? If anyone has any suggestions, I would sure appreciate them

I hate to do it, but I'm getting ready to throw in the towel after 42 hours in 6 years. We've had very short usage on the boat and not one single season has gone smoothly.

[Big Block Power]

she's a gem Sailor!
Is it in neutral?

[sailor55330]

So, after checking the batteries, the starter and solenoid, And a few other things around the dash, I found the culprit

The throttle input mechanism was slightly misaligned from factory tolerances preventing the ignition circuit from completing and allowing the engine to start. Good news is after a short diagnostic and calibration it fires right up


In other words, I somehow managed to bump it into gear before starting—-put it neutral and that was it. I have no clue how I did it unless left it in gear after loading last time.

So, FYI, the VP’s simply make no sound or warning if you accidently have them in gear and try to start them. Yes, today I was an idiot. Never done that one before.

At least I found it before I saw your post BBP

[Big Block Power]

So, after checking the batteries, the starter and solenoid, And a few other things around the dash, I found the culprit

The throttle input mechanism was slightly misaligned from factory tolerances preventing the ignition circuit from completing and allowing the engine to start. Good news is after a short diagnostic and calibration it fires right up


In other words, I somehow managed to bump it into gear before starting—-put it neutral and that was it. I have no clue how I did it unless left it in gear after loading last time.

So, FYI, the VP’s simply make no sound or warning if you accidently have them in gear and try to start them. Yes, today I was an idiot. Never done that one before.

At least I found it before I saw your post BBP

Sorry I'm still taking credit for it!
Bfun did the same thing.
Glad it was nothing.

[Snowman8]

It’s happened to me before too. We were out for the day and after being at anchor for a few hours I had all of the same symptoms that you described. My girls were much younger and my youngest like to pretend to drive the boat. Well she got it slipped into gear. After a few minutes trying to figure out how to get a dead boat back to the trailer it dawned on me...

[Jgrill43]

I’ve done this once as well. Wife and I finally got a day together with no kids and couldn’t get it to fire. Never got out and didn’t figure the problem out till next day. I have never forgot drain plug though

[sailor55330]

I’ve done this once as well. Wife and I finally got a day together with no kids and couldn’t get it to fire. Never got out and didn’t figure the problem out till next day. I have never forgot drain plug though

You will...it's kind of like what motorcycle guys say...."it's not a matter of if you've gone down, it's when"....

[Whippled263]

Rookie stuff. It happens. I can tell you one thing......it wont happen again to ya. Happy boating for the rest of the season!