New to me GS20. What maintenance should I do asap?

[Nautiquebab1]

I recently purchased a used 2017 GS20 from someone on our lake that I truly think took as good of care of the boat as he could but his boat knowledge was limited and always just took to dealer for annual maintenance and did a few other small things himself. I know he had a raw water impeller go bad last year so don't think he was highly on top of all maintenance (everything was back flushed so the issue should be resolved). Last year he had oil/filter changed, trans fluid changed, new raw water impeller, steering cables lubed, winterized, seemed like your basic maintenance. Looking at maintenance records I know he has never changed the ballast impellers or changed the V-drive fluid. Boat has 290 hours. It you were in this situation what would you be doing as reasonable preventative maintenance with not being real sure what has been done in the past? BTW, these boats are stunning and the performance is amazing! Thanks for your help!!

[bturner]

If all that work was actually done, I think you should be good. That said, go through your owner's manual and do a comparison between what your service history documents and what's recommended in the manual. Complete any items that you can't find a record for and any that may be due. Ballast impellers are much, much better than they were in the early days and IMO don't need changing unless you're having problems. That said, if they've never been changed starting out with a fresh set and having spares would not be a bad thing. I changed out mine when I got my boat in 2019 and don't plan to do anything with them until I start having issues.

One place that most owners neglect is the trailer. Check the date code on the tires, check the brake fluid for level and water. Find out if he's done anything at all to it to maintain it. Most used boats I look at the owners have done absolutely nothing. If the trailer tires are 5+ years old change them. If the brake fluid hasn't been changed in 2 years flush and fill with new fluid. If the trailer is dirty, wash and wax it. Lube up the winch and any areas you see that can be lubricated. Check all the lights for proper operation and repair if needed. None of this is fun or exciting stuff which is why it's always neglected.

As to dealer maintained boats..... I always love seeing this in ads. Translation of this in most cases is..... bare minimum was done to maintain the boat. Go talk to the write up guy at the dealer over a beer and find out what most owners do with "dealer maintained" boats. It's typically the minimum. A coworker was telling me his dealer wanted $800 to winterize his boat last year and this didn't include doing the ballast tank or wiping anything down during the process. He opted out of the more encompassing packages due to the price and started asking me about how to do it himself. Looks like I may have another boat to do next fall or at least a lesson to teach.

If you're looking to bond with your boat, start detailing the engine bay and the bilge. Don't go nuts with a pressure washer or bucket of water on the engine, just get some Costco microfiber towels and some 303 and start wiping things down (while the engine is cold) until it looks like new. 5 gallons of water with marine soap sloshing around the bilge while the boat is driven around on the trailer will clean things up quite a bit and remove smells. Drain the water and wipe things down where you can around the engine and things will freshen up quickly. You'll also be able to tell is something is leaking now much easier.

The last thing on my list for a "new to me" boat is a nut and bolt exercise. I'll start at one end and check any fasteners I come across to see if they've worked themselves loose. Don't go nuts tightening them. just snug everything back up. You'll be surprised how many have managed to loosen up.

That would be all I would do, I'm sure others will have their take and opinions on all of this.

[Nautiquebab1]

Quote removed by Admin for not following the Guidelines for Quoting Previous Posts in a Thread.

Thanks a lot for the input. The trailer has less than 300 miles on it and was stored indoors all the time. Was only used to take boat to local dealer for service and to store boat on in the winter. I think I am going to replace ballast impellers and keep the old ones as spares as you recommend. I too think most of the maintenance was done that needs to be but am still a little curious about the V-drive. The V-drive is a "lifetime fluid" but I do a lot of work on higher end cars that have "lifetime fluid" and I can tell you that in my experience I have never encountered a fluid that is truly "lifetime" in a car and if you want the parts to last a long time you need to replace the fluids. If for nothing else to remove the slight wear particles that are inevitable with any metal to metal mechanical pieces. If I am wrong about the V-drive hopefully someone can tell me here.

Thanks again! Man these boats are stunning!

[Nautiquebab1]

Also, doesn't look like the serpentine belt or tensioner has ever been replaced. Should I be replacing those?

The owners manual doesn't seem to have a maintenance interval chart and basically just says "consult your dealer."

[bturner]

I'm at about 500 hours on all the items you mention. Belt looks like new, no noise from the tensioner pully, I'm not touch'n noth'n. I'd leave the vDrive fluid as well. Some things are best not fixing until they're broke. If you want to have all of it on hand, sure, buy them and put them on the shelf.

Nautique does have a rather stringent maintenance schedule for the water separator and fuel filter. If those haven't been done I'd do those.

[Scooter G]

Belts will usually start to show a sign of needing replacement, a little fur along the outer edges, hairline cracks, etc. I like the keep one on hand theory mentioned. I'm still on the fence on doing the V-Drive, have the fluid but kind of in the wheel house with Turner here.
Congrats on your new addition!

A definite on the water sep & fuel filters:
https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...parator-change

Check your brake fluid on the trailer, often with use.

[Nautiquebab1]

Still nervous about the V-drive fluid never being changed but for now going to just do the two fuel filters and the ballast impellers. Might do the V-drive at the end of the season as it seems very simple to do and fluid is only about $80 (low cost peace of mind). Thanks for all your help!

[Scooter G]

If you are like me, it's the little things rattling around in my head that keep me up at night. If it's bothering you, you might as well punch it out.
Here's how I did my Trans Fluid this Spring, basically same process for the V-Drive, pull both top plugs for venting. I think there are some other good threads out there on the process also.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...uid-change-g23

[Nautiquebab1]

Thanks Scooter. You have been a great help.