Perfect Pass - Star Gazer

[spuddy]

Has anyone installed a PP Star Gazer on a pre-2000 196 with a GT-40? I am installing one on my 1997 196, it does not have any speed control system at the moment so this will be a brand new item to the boat. I am wondering it this is something that can be done by myself (and a good friend who lucky for me is quite mechanically inclined) or does this need to be done by a professional? Thanks.

[mf01]

I don't have a 196, but I have a 94 Sport Nautique with GT40. I installed PP Star Gazer last summer. It's something that can be done in your driveway in 2-3 hours. It took me about 2, but I had some stuff prepped before I received it. The hardest part will be running the wire from the servo to the dash. Just get some fish tape and it's not bad. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[spuddy]

Thanks for the advice, what sort of prep did you have to do before hand?

[east tx skier]

Fishing that servo cable is a major pain. There is just not a lot of room between the stringer and the floor cooler. If you have slack in the throttle cable, you can use that to fish it through. Mine was tied off some time prior to my ownership. So no such luck for me. At least you don't have to drill for a paddle wheel anymore.

[mf01]

The prep wasn't needed before hand, just to help speed up things during the install. I had the fish tape ran, one speedo out, and some of the wires crimped. Do you have the airguide speedos? If so, you need to block one of them off. I used a zip tie and golf tee.

[toddrswenson]

I installed 6.5ng on my 1997 SN. That's the version before Stargazer. The install would be the same without the paddle wheel obviously. It wan't too hard. I did have trouble with the servo wiring. I think at one point I had it threaded through the battery box and then up to the back of the dash. That's where my fish tape kept wanting to go. I think it took me about 2 hours.

[spuddy]

Thanks for the advice, sound be able to save some cash and get this done on our own