Windshield Wiper Problem

D

dtsherry

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Hello all I am a first time poster though a longtime reader. I have been a Grady owner for about 12 years starting with 1985 Trophy Pro and then last year upgrading to a 95 Sailfish. The boat was a great deal, low hours, etc etc...

Lately it seems that every time I go to use the boat something breaks. First I spun a hub on one of the stainless props. No big deal. Got a inexpensive aluminum with a hub kit while I waited for the stainless to come back rehubbed. Then both primer pumps went at the same time. I thought this was strange and maybe an electrical issue, however, I needed to get out that day so two $14 fuel hoses with primer bulbs solved the issue. I replaced the Ritchie compass since the old one leaked out the fluid and was more costly to repair than replace.

This weekend, heading out for a morning of fishing; when I turned the key to hear the short tone saying everything was ok the port side wiper started moving and wouldn't stop no matter what position the switch was in. Sorry for the long drawn out sob story but is this a switch issue or is there a breaker somewhere I can replace to fix it. The starboard wiper works with the switch but the port was keeps on going and going regardless of the position on the switch. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
You have 2 choices. 1) replace the motor or 2) disconect the always powered 3rd wire on the windshield motor. These motors are always powered with 12 volts and the park position wire is the one that is switched. When these motors get old the park position switch does not work properly. By disconnecting the one wire towards the center of the motor the motor will stop where ever it is when you turn it off. By timing the turn off you can get it to stop the wiper blade out of your field of vision. Both of mine have the wire disconnected
 
Thank you Marty. That is exactly what I did. I pulled the plug right at the motor. And thank you for indicating it is the motor not the switch. That makes a difference. If it was the wiper on the driver side I would probably replace the motor but I can live with sending someone down below to plug in the wiper if the rain gets heavy enough. Ah heck... sooner or later I'll buy the motor who am I kidding.... Thanks again!!
 
no... no new boat.... remember the last baby I had was a 15 year old trophy pro when I got it. I replaced more things on that boat than I can remember including wiper motors, windlass motors, two lower units and both aluminum fuel tanks. Still I would never say the maintenance or repair costs were overly burdensome. And I never regretted owning or using that boat in the 10 or 11 years I had it. It rocked!

The upgrade to the sailfish was to add a few horses, pick up an enclosed head for the wife and daughter and the walk through transom for all the diving I do in South Florida. The Cabin amenities make for slightly better entertaining. I love the boat. Hope to keep it at least 10 years maybe more and when I upgrade it I guarantee it will be a Grady. Maybe a Marlin? Maybe an Express? Who knows... All I know is it probably wont be brand new but it will surely be a Grady White!!
 
This is the life of an old-boat owner. Try a 50-100 year old wooden boat for headaches. :wink:

I had a fifty (it was 35 back then) and my brotherinlaw had one that was a hundred. Wooden boats. You work on them, and you work on them. It becomes a lifestyle.

It's heartbreaking as well to buy a new one and have so many troubles. Boats aren't quite as bad as motorhomes - it's amazing to read up on what those poor people go thru.

Once the bugs are worked out, there's a few year period there where they're pretty troublefree, just some maintenance to keep them up. Once they get out to 15-20 years everything is getting to a point of deterioration - rubber seals, electrics, corrosion attack, sun fading/UV damage, and on and on. Not much different than a car.

If you're handy you take it in stride, enjoying the tinkering and fixing, updating and re-doing. If not, the joy of ownership can quickly become a dreaded chore.

I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know... :)
 
I would only add that I had known plenty of brand spanking new boat owners who have one issue or another nearly every time they take the boat out.

Yes warranty helps at first but I think there would be nothing more frustrating that not being able to use a new boat because your fuel pump went out or the engines are overheating. And just imagine that grease stain you can get out of the cushion or the scuff, rip or dent in the hull or rub rail.

On old boats we live with it and accept it. I don't think I would ever buy a new boat. Ironically I do not have the same philosophy with cars as I would never buy a used car. Boats and Cars are like apples and oranges. My Dad says all car needs to go is get you where you need to go. I'm not sure I agree with that and I think its perhaps even less true with a boat. We choose Grady's because of what they represent and the image they present. Granted we also pick them because we can ride, fish and dive the hell out of them. And they hold up to harsh conditions and look and perform well doing it. Grady's rock!
 
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