First boat - new to me 2004 SAN 210

[lfadam]

Dreams do come true—just picked up an '04 SAN this weekend. Couldn't be more excited to get out there and ride again while my knees still work.

Boat has 808 hours. Seller said it was a Team Edition, but don't believe it is given it has 2 ballast gauges instead of 3 and the 13.5 x 17.5 prop (and no TE decals). The first owner did numerous upgrades (plumbed in larger soft bags x3, surf tabs, light bar, SeaDek throughout, etc.) and took great care of it. Second owner garaged it over the winters.

Already have a laundry list of things to do...new strainer o-ring / impeller (overheating at idle), re-prop for high altitude / heavy weight, overhauling the rats nest of stereo components, tower mirror, etc. The forums have been invaluable already. I'll continue to search, but if anyone knows of a thread for the following, I would much appreciate the tips:

1) Calibrating Star Gazer for heavily weighted boat (currently surges over/under by 4-5 mph)
2) Wiring diagrams for stereo / dual battery set ups
3) How to lubricate throttle cable
4) Best ballast / weight setup for wakeboarding

[sbaker]

Great looking boat, enjoy it!

[sbaker]

Also, did a quick scan for setup and in the inevitable scenario where you wonder what a good surf setup is, there is good discussion here: https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...or-older-210-s

[lfadam]

Thanks! I'm not very into surfing but we did find on the maiden voyage that the surf tabs made it pretty easy to get a nice wave

[MN Ryan]

lfadam In regards to the StarGazer, Perfect Pass has great customer service. They have manuals here: http://perfectpass.com/?q=manuals

This is from the manual:

Condition: In Wakeboard Mode under heavy load system is surging after engagement.
Solution: If it is smooth without load, but surges under heavy load then the KDW may be too high. (The response to speed change is too aggressive). Try lowering KDW until control is smooth.

If that doesn't do it, just give them a call. They have helped me with my old Wakeboard Pro system, and they were helpful again this spring when I installed the StarGazer updgrade.

Congrats!

[lfadam]

Thanks! Will definitely start by adjusting the KDW and see how that goes.

A few other knicknacks I could use some insider knowledge on...

1-How do these locker keys work?! The key is round / doesn't have any teeth. When I put it in one of the locks and turn, nothing happens.
2-Kick panel removal...is there a step by step on this? I have a subwoofer there already, but no box, so it sounds terrible. Need to investigate / build a custom one in there.

[shag]

The star gazer could need an antenna upgrade, I know some of those had issues.
For dual battery set ups, there are easily found diagrams online. Get a Perko switch with "1", "2", "all off" and "All or both on" switch positions. I'm pretty sure my switch came with an easy wiring diagram. Use new marine tinned wire (more expensive), and be sure you make good quality connections. I battery 1 only, when I go out, then the next time (day) I go out I use battery 2 only. I have used this methodology for years and always have a charged battery back up while on the water that way. I also have a NOCO 2x10 am maintainer that I connect when back at the dock, home. I DO disconnect it when lightning is in the area. (August 2021 took a direct lightning strike on my property and a significant pulse went though the maintainer (no product will eliminate a direct strike to the electrical system if connected) and took out my ECU, audio, underwater lighting, Gateway and some other wiring. I am still not back to 100% repaired yet due to parts.

You have a great first boat! That hull has arguably one of the better wakeboard wakes and is more of a steep ramp than the newer hulls. I can remember double ups on that hull feeling like someone just shoved you up in the air lol.
Best of luck and congrats!

[lfadam]

Thanks shag, good to know re: antenna upgrade.

The boat already has a Perko battery switch. I just replaced both batteries. # 1 with a Marine Cranking battery, # 2 with a Marine Deep Cycle battery. Right now I believe everything is running off # 1 (including surf tab actuators and stereo), but weirdly I can still operate the stereo on battery 2. So I'm not sure how this is wired and was hoping someone might know.

Ideally I think I would like to have 1 do cranking and actuators with 2 running the stereo (I have 1 large amp now, and plan to add a second + subwoofer), switch set to ALL. I would love for 2 to serve as a backup, but with the stereo upgrades, I may need both on an ongoing basis.

[swatguy]

As far as stereo I was pretty conman back then to run stereo leads straight to the perko switch so it worked whether the boat was on battery bank 1 or 2 or combo. Reason was so you could rotate draining batteries if you tended to hang out at the cove for long periods of time . If you talk to lot of party cove guys it bank 1 on odd days , bank 2 on even days . Made it pretty simple and this way you weren’t draining and charging the same battery constantly while the other got nothing. So check the perko switch for the stereo power source. . Some other people prefer the dedicated stereo battery and dedicated starting battery . In that case the leads are pulled straight from the battery to a power block , not from the perko switch. Again tho stereo would run no matter what battery was selected on the perko.

as far as perfect pass , MN Ryan nailed the adjustments for a pretty heavy loaded boat IIRC KDW is around 200 and NN value was 55ish. Adjust the kdw first , and then dial it in with NN value if needed.

ballast config. Well sounds like you got some upgraded bags. That boat likes nose weight , if you don’t have to trailer far I recommend 400lbs of pop bags or any other mfg ( I prefer pop products bags. They have lasted me 20 plus years without single ounce of mildew or mold). Stuffed as far forward in the nose as possible.


you can’t really lube the throttle cable , if it’s sticky it’s time to replace it.

other than that welcome to the family of wakeboats , you picked a legendary classic to get things going.

[lfadam]

Great post, thanks swatguy!
I think you're right on the stereo wiring coming from the switch based on what I'm seeing and that seems like a good setup. If stopping to float with music on, I could switch the Perko to # 2 only (to keep the cranking battery at 100%), but otherwise keep it to ALL at any other time to spread the load between actuators, stereo, and cranking.

Good to know re: nose weight. Might try to find a slim sac to put under the front seat filler cushion. Lead would be great but I'm already pushing the limits of my V8 4runner towing through the Rockies.

The PCM manual shows lube points (using SAE 30 on the engine side). Might try that and see if it does anything then replace the cable at the end of the season.

[swatguy]

So as far as lubr points , if your throttle is sticking or lacks a smooth tracking , these points to hit will smooth it out.

it’s it a stiff throttle all the way through , it’s usually cable time.

[jhiestand]

Fantastic ride -- congrats! More pix when you get a chance!! I'd be curious to see the SeaDek and the surf tabs.

[lfadam]

Ask and you shall receive!

Can you get a replacement for that Clarion stereo remote anywhere? Or is there something better I can put in that factory location? It's annoying to have to adjust the volume via my phone while driving

[lfadam]

Updates:

• Replacing the o-ring on the strainer fixed the overheating at idle issue.
• Replacing the center ballast (drain) pump fixed the water in the bilge issue.
• Re-prop from 13.5" x 17.5" to 13.5" x 14.25" made a solid difference. No issue getting on plane with bags full at 5 people at 5400.' Hoping I can add a little more weight. May not work at the mountain lakes (7.5-8.5k in elevation) but also eager to try using the surf tabs as trim tabs to plane out. Maybe that could help?

Next need to figure out how to grease my trailer bearings, find a stern light solution (stock one is missing and replacement isn't high enough to be seen over my tower speakers), buy a tower mirror, and further dial in the weighting / PP.

[Scooter G]

Nice post lfadam, congrats on the good find!
I had an '03 Supra on a Boatmate trailer that I was adamant about packing the wheel bearings every year, and hitting them with the grease gun over the coarse. Even replaced all 4 wheels with new bearings and races, a time or 2. It was the day the trailer tire, backing down the boat ramp, beat me into the water. I thought whoa, some idiot just lost his tire and rim, lol.
I knew there had to be a better solution. I checked on the Boatmate website, and they had complete with spindle & hubs, "Vault" bearings. I replaced all 4 with the Vault bearings, along with new brake calipers & brakes (2). I thought the price of all in, was super reasonable compared to sitting on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere with a blown out wheel bearing, and a shredded boat fender (we've been there, done that).
Vaults are run on most of the newer boat trailers, and maintenance free for many moons. Can't tell if you're running a Boatmate trailer, doesn't look like it. You can check with DexterAxle.com or your trailer manufacture for availability, well worth the investment in my opinion.