SS Mini Update

    Dave, make sure the wires to the ammeter come from the alternator output stud(this line feeds the ammeter), then the output of the ammeter returns to the battery +(or the hot side of the starter solenoid). You should then have a wire going from the BATT terminal on the ign switch to the ammeter(the side connected to the alternator output). All the +12v to feed the gauges hook to the ign terminal on the ign switch. Also, on the ammeter, if the gauge reads backwards, flip the wires on the posts. It will still work and not hurt anything if hooked up backwards. See how this compares to your connections. I also messed up in my previous post as I meant to say that no wires from the ammeter should be connected to the ign terminal on the ign switch, as your battery will go flat in no time, and your engine wont shut off.

    I was looking at the PCM schematic in the reference section and they have a error in the way they show to wire the ammeter in place of a voltmeter. They have it wired to show the actual output of the alternator feeding everything instead of just showing battery charging current. I have never seen that.

    Best of luck!!!   

                                 Jeff...

    I had to get a quick post in this morning, as when I woke up, I realized I forgot to mention that the line going from the ammeter to the batt terminal on the ign switch should go thorugh the ign dash fuseholder to protect the line. Also, the wire going from the ammeter to the batt + point on the engine should be hooked inline through the 60 amp breaker to the battery, instead of the hot battery side of the starter solenoid(if it is).

                                   Jeff...

Turns out it was nothing - just a spark plug that had wiggled loose. What a relief. Too bad I wasted my morning not skiing!

Yes there is. And the iron pylon worked out okay. It had a little play side to side, but otherwise it was fine. I need to put some kind of spacer around the old ring pylon I put in it off of eBay. It's too short to ski from, but it is good enough for sliding the pipe onto.

I also had my very first "Man, what do you have in that little boat?" experience. That was pretty gratifying. My M17 really looks good in the water.

I still don't have the ammeter setup right. I'm going to keep working on it this week and go skiing again on Friday.

Finally! I was able to get a solid set of wakeboard runs on the SS Mini. Man, it has a nice wake compared to my previous boat. It was nice. And there was no paddling it back into shore for a change!

JBear is right - these are the coolest boats around.

I did have one mishap. Forgot the bilge plug - there was five inches of water in the boat when I realized what I'd done. Thank goodness for bilge pumps!

A couple of things I've noticed:
- The ammeter is wired backwards. It goes negative when the RPMs increase.
- The speedo doesn't kick in at lower speeds and bounces a lot once it does kick in.
- The control requires a soft touch. It takes really small adjustments to get it to the right spot for boarding. Will that improve when I replace the control with something newer?
- The boat takes off like a rocket when it gets on plane. Holy crap! It's fun when you're just messing around, but when you're towing somebody you have to watch it.
- I love this boat, but it turns like crap. It needs a fin or two.

Anyway, had a good time. We didn't tow it to Texas after all - it would have been awesome to ski the cliffs at Possum Kingdom, but maybe next year.

Any recommendations for a GPS? It would make a good "featured product" for Keith...

Hopefully I'll start getting to know this boat better soon. There have been so many kinks getting to the point where we can take it out for a day and not worry about paddling it in that I don't really know the boat yet. And we're still not through all the kinks, but I think we're getting close.

I wish they made one that fit in a standard 2.5" opening. That would be pretty cool.

David,

I wish you the best of luck in school. Sounds like you've got lots to look forward to with your career. The good news is that CCF.com will always be here. Whether you own a boat or not, keep your posts coming. We'll help you pick out another great Correct Craft boat in 2012. Plus, look at the reunions you can attend if you're available!

Ken

It hasn't been in my family since new. I got it from the son of the original owner. I've only had it for two years. Still, that's exactly how I feel.

No, I don't need a pylon anymore. Thanks though.

dchris, I definitely misread your diary, woops.

Anywho, I definitely don't have the extra cash for another boat. If I could store it I would but I just checked and don't have any of that either!

Dchris17

That was a good post! I'm glad I went back and read it all the way through. Since BKH said it was good I knew it would be. I have a vision of what you did with your SS mini for the '74 Mustang I'm working on. Your posts, and Jeff Kostis' input, helped me tons. Thanks and Good luck!

     WOW!!!! I havent posted in a while due to work taking over my life, but I have to on this one.
     Dave, I am happy for your going to school, but are you sure you have exhausted all possibilities?? I felt like a fool to ask, but this kills me!! Its hard looking back in the beginning at your first post and seeing your excitement. Im sure it isnt easy, but Im convinced that the SS MINI was your first real "family" boat after the pics of the kids in it. Im sorry if I just made things more difficult for you.
    GOOD LUCK ALWAYS!!!

                                      Jeff...
     

dchris17 wrote: Hopefully I'll find a way to get a PhD and keep the SS Mini!

Does this mean "Pile Higher and Deeper" and keep the SS Mini????

                                   Jeff...

David,

I'll be building a 4 bay addition to the soon-to-be "Garage Mahal" this summer. It will be 2 bays too many on purpose...I know it is a little out of your neighborhood (Southern MD), but if it is the difference between holding on to her or not, you can lay her up here when I am done.

Mike