SAN GT-40 Surging

[SANCasey]

When I was on the lake yesterday the boat started surging when the steroe and PP were both on. I turned the steroe off and it stopped it for a while and then it started again. Then I turned the PP off and it stopped. Then started again with no electronics on. I am thinking that it is the alternator, as I have 2 blue tops that are only about a year old and seem fine. Does this seem logical?

Also, what size alternator is on the 2000 SAN? Should I get a higher amp rating?

Where is the best place to buy one in Dallas, Texas? Could I get one from NAPA?

Thanks,

[SANCasey]

I had the alternator tested and it is fine.

Any ideas what could cause the boat to surge while under power. (It never did it at idle.)

I am going to change the fuel filter and see if that might be an issue.

I need to figure this out... working on the boat in the Texas heat is killer.

[NautiDave07]

Casey,
I had a 2000 with a gt40 and mine did this before it it would go completely dead no power at all. You may already have an answer from another post but I checked the battery connections first. Alternator will not cause it unless your batteries are totally dead. For me it turnrd out to be a fuse holder off of the battery positive connection. It is a black cylinder that pulls apart and has a glass fuse inside. Mine was coming apart and causing the dash to lose power which shut the motor off. I cut it out and soldered in a new fuse holder with the card type fuse of the same size and the problem was solved. Good luck

[SANCasey]

Dave,

I appreciate the response. I had a couple things I did to fix the issue. One item was the plastic on the kill switch was breaking away.. probably the simplest issue, but the last one to find. The oil pressure switch on the engine was faulty putting the boat in limp mode and the battery cable ground connection was broken, but still connected (so I doubt that was the issue).

I went ahead and changed the fuel filter, replaced the belts and checked the impeller. A good time for mid season service.

All in all... simple to fix and I learned a lot more about my boat, so maybe next time I can spend my vacation day on the water instead of dying from dehydration in the Texas sun. Now I just need to find some shade for a mid-season wax job.