2008 210 sante new owner questions

[Paxdad]

I have a few questions as I am a new owner of a 2008 210 SANTE.

1. The bimini top has 2 short extension poles for the rear section. The ends of each pole have a tab looking part that inserts into the bracket on the tower. One of the tabs appers to be broken off of one of the extension poles. The tower bracket has a slot for the tab to fit into but I don't exactly see how the tab orients into to the slot since the opposite end of the extension has the button that goes into the bimini. Can someone point me in the right direction if I am installing the extension correctly?


2. My boat has the PCM 343 motor and the owners manual indicates that there is an alarm/ light for the V-drive but I don't see where it is. Is this a typo or a feature on another model/ transmission?


3. How do I discern between the type of tower I have? I believe that it is a FCT 2 tower but appears different from others that I have seen as it does not have some of the flat bar supports etc. It is all round tube by design. I have attached a photo for reference.


4. Since the TE does not have a pylon is it safe to pull water toys with the rear lifting ring?


5. What is the motor oil capacity with filter change and what is the recommended oil and filter for use? PCM Excalibur 343 motor. Can synthetic oil be used with 180 hours on motor?


6. I need to order the hook/ velcro style fastners that attach the drivers side arm rest/ cup holder to the gunwale as the fastener that is on the arm rest side underneath has lost its adhesive backing. Is this a specific dealer item for those of you who know what I am talking about?


7. The key that fits the hatch compartment latches is missing. Do I need to get this from the dealer?

8. The plastic piece that is on the tower tow point (the part the the rope swivels on) is cracked. Can this be replaced or do I need a new tow swivel?

9. Last question. Is there a cooler or some type of insert that will fit between the belly ballast tank that i can place in the floor for a make shift cooler?


Much appreciated and glad to be a Nautique owner now!!!

[HS]

4. Isn't there a pop up tow point on the transom step?
7. Yes, or NautiqueParts.com check their website for the style that fits...an Allen wrench style fits mine.

[Nautiquehunter]

You have a Titan FCT2 on your boat the bimini is made by Tower Biminis . The short tubes in the back should have a full circle groove on the side that attaches to the tower . After they are inserted into the aluminum fitting they are retained by a pin that goes through the hole on the side. The push button side attaches to the rear bimini cross bar. Mine has a pylon at the rear lifting ring. I use Mobile 1 15w50 in my 210 change every 50 hours. The cooler that came with the boat fits under the passengers side dash storage. I dont use mine because it takes up too much room. Colman makes a short cooler that fit under the rear seat with slight modification to the lid. I carry two . I see you are in Cumming we have Nautique get togethers on Lanier a few times a year I hope you will join us . Give me a call it you have any more questions
Mike Hunter 219-712-5060

[Paxdad]

Mike,
Thanks for the info. I will contact Tower and check on those parts. I must not have a pylon as the only thing I see is the retractable lifting eye. I am certainly in for a get together as we are on the lake a couple times a week.
Thanks again.
Reid
678-four88-0591

[Nautiquehunter]

The rear ski pylon was a option I never use mine its too low and the line drags on the wake. Your tower is super strong it can handle pretty much anything. We will be out tomorrow .

[Paxdad]

The rear ski pylon was a option I never use mine its too low and the line drags on the wake. Your tower is super strong it can handle pretty much anything. We will be out tomorrow .

Good to know that. The lake should be incredible today!!! But I must go to work

[Nautiquehunter]

Beautiful day on lanier air around 80 water 64 degrees. Should be able to ditch the wet suits next week if the weather stays warm.

[xrichard]

I have the same FCT2 Titan tower and Tower Biminis bimini...unlike NautiqueHunter, I don't have pins that hold the rear extensions in place on the tower side. The push button holds them in place on the bimini side. On the tower side, they fit as NH described, but are held in place by the tension on the bimini when the front pieces are set (with pins).

Oil capacity is 4.75qts and the PCM recommendation is to change every 50 hours with 15-40 weight. PCM issued a bulletin wrt oil consumption and recommended using Castrol HD 40 with 30 hours changes if running additional ballast. If you read through a bunch of information at bobistheoilguy.com, you'll probably come to the conclusion that 40 weight is awfully heavy especially when cold. I'll likely switch my oil to 5-30 synthetic...and, yes, synthetic should be fine notwithstanding that PCM says there is no benefit. (You can have Blackstone Labs do an oil analysis for $25. A friend with a PCM 343 did that at +/- 50 hours and the oil came back looking good...the lab recommended going longer for the next change. I'm going to have mine analyzed at the next change.)

BTW, I have a red light on my dash...it is the alarm light for the motor but I don't know about the v-drive.

I have the same problem with the velcro at the driver armrest. It looks to me like you can pick up velcro pieces and cut to fit...not a dealer special item.

My hatch latches are not allen key, but some key with an internal star configuration...so I'd assume a dealer only item (try White Lake...site sponsor...if your local dealer isn't convenient).

The plastic part on the tower might be impossible. Titan is no longer around, but Star One / Menace is the old Titan crew and might be able to help you. They're in Rancho Cordova, CA...though I don't know if they're still around.

The Coleman cooler is a good idea...NautiqueHunter: do you have any issues with it moving around when you flip the rear seat? We use a soft side cooler in under the observer seat. The stock cooler is useless...too big.

[Nautiquehunter]

You cant use the original lids because they will not fit under the seat so I just used a piece of 1/2'' styrofoam cut to fit inside the cooler, works perfect. I never flip the seat but I doubt they would slide much on the carpet. Its just so convenient to not have to open anything or move peeps to get into the cooler. Here are some pics of the rear bimini bars.

[Paxdad]

Just an update: I ordered and received the short/ rear bimini struts from Tower Bimini and John was very helpful. The new tower inserts are stainless steel and appear way stronger than the orignal parts and much heavier and were reasonably priced.

I am waiting to hear back from Star One on the tow point and have yet to find the entire assembly if I just decide to replace the entire unit. If anyone has any resources for bolt on tow points please reply.

Other than getting the velcro replaced and some d-rings added on the storage cover and a few stereo bugs worked out I will be set.

I also ordered a set of SpeakerSox for my the WS Pro 485s and found them to be extremely nice.

NautiqueHunter- I hope to run into you soon on the lake as I want to look at your lift/ tow point on the rear to see if I can just replace my lift ring with one like you have if it is a direct replacment. by the way I really like the plastic cover your wife made to cover the sun pads as we have a 80# Yellow Lab that is crazy and is going to wreck havoc on the interior if I don't find a way to protect it.

[HS]

Mike,
Thanks for the info. I will contact Tower and check on those parts. I must not have a pylon as the only thing I see is the retractable lifting eye. I am certainly in for a get together as we are on the lake a couple times a week.
Thanks again.
Reid
678-four88-0591

That retractible lifting eye might be a combo tow point (were the combo's out in that model year?) Can you pull it up and post a photo (or email the photo to David at nautique parts and he can help you identify it, as well as help you learn if there is an option.