Question about part in Nautique Owner's Pouch

[HS]

What is the black plastic cap with the word "AIRMAR" for? This cap was in the owner's pouch of my pre-owned Nautique but I don't remember its use or function. The other piece in there I know is for the frsh water flush, but this other one...? :???:

[Madhat78]

RE: Question about part in Nautique Owner

Are you referring to the plug to replace the paddle wheel when you are trailering the boat? If you are, once the boat is on it's trailer and you are going to drive a good distance, unscrew the paddle wheel in front of the engine in the hull and replace it with the plug. This way your paddle isn't spinning like crazy with the air flow from the road and you have a plug in the hole when you go to launch the boat in case you forgot to rescrew in the plug. hope it helps

[BigBald]

RE: Question about part in Nautique Owner

does everyone do this? I've never heard about pulling the paddle wheel for trips.

[wakejunky]

RE: Question about part in Nautique Owner

I've heard about it but, never done it. If it was really an issue, it would be easier to run up under the boat with a piece of duct tape.

Chris

[Madhat78]

RE: Question about part in Nautique Owner

I have never seen anyone ever do it either, but that's the purpose of it.

[HS]

RE: Question about part in Nautique Owner

I thought I'd read about every page in the manual - must have missed that one. Has anyone seen where it is explained?

[JUST-IN-TIME]

RE: Question about part in Nautique Owner

it is supposed to be tied to the sender in the hole
incase it breaks off in the water u got a plug

[ag4ever]

RE: Question about part in Nautique Owner

I just had to replace my paddle wheel because it got crushed somehow. Looks like the boat sat on the trailer wrong, but I just don't see how that could have happened due to the proximity of the paddle wheel to the trailer bunks.

But when I was replacing the wheel, I don't see how the plug would ever be needed unless you decided to remove the paddle wheel all together. The seals for the paddle wheel are up in the fitting, not at the surface of the hull.

I don't ever pull the paddle wheel for towing. It would get way to tiring to contort to the position required to pull it every time I decided to go boating.

BTW, a new wheel and pin only costs $16 from PP. The insert is $95, and the whole thru hull is $129. (prices as of April 23, 2008)

Unfortunatly, they changed the size of the insert somewhere around '03 to '05. Not sure when, so if you have a pre-change thru hull, the only options you have for a damaged part are to replace the wheel or get a new thru hull component.

I also don't see a problem with the wheel spinning like crazy in the wind. There is nothing to really wear out, and if the wheel does wear out they are cheap and easy to replace.