Do you need Connext to run your boat?

[Tronics212]

In a previous post I was helped by the community in regards to my connext crashing. I am currently being told by Yamaha that a replacement may take as long as October before I can get a replacement. Personally I feel this to be unacceptable. The boat (2020 AR210) has probably 2 hours on it at the most. Our family obviously had plans for the 4th, one of the main reasons I purchased this boat. My question is how dangerous is it to run without the screen? I was thinking i could install a depth finder with all the bells and whistles, but I’m concerned I may not get alarms? Has anyone attempted this is the past? Is this a huge no no? I appreciate any info you may be able to offer. Thanks ?

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

On a AR210, I would think it should work fine. If you know your water ways well and use a tide app you should be fine.

 

[anmut]

You don't need it to run the engines. You'll miss speed / depth / fuel / audio. However if you don't care how fast you're going, know your boating waters well, always fill up before you leave, and bring along a blue tooth speaker, you should be g2g. Also, if that were me, I'd be on with Yamaha on the daily demanding reparations of some sort. Free stuff / ext. warranty / make a boat payment. That's 1000% unacceptable.

 

[mark_m]

In a previous post I was helped by the community in regards to my connext crashing. I am currently being told by Yamaha that a replacement may take as long as October before I can get a replacement. Personally I feel this to be unacceptable. The boat (2020 AR210) has probably 2 hours on it at the most. Our family obviously had plans for the 4th, one of the main reasons I purchased this boat. My question is how dangerous is it to run without the screen? I was thinking i could install a depth finder with all the bells and whistles, but I’m concerned I may not get alarms? Has anyone attempted this is the past? Is this a huge no no? I appreciate any info you may be able to offer. Thanks ?

Gas up that boat, then download the Navionics app on your phone and use it! You should be able to find gallons per hour burned based on your speed and roughly estimate your fuel range. I'm glad that she runs without connext and I assume you have control of the bilge pump.

 

[anmut]

Gas up that boat, then download the Navionics app on your phone and use it! You should be able to find gallons per hour burned based on your speed and roughly estimate your fuel range. I'm glad that she runs without connext and I assume you have control of the bilge pump.

Good point on the bilge - without the screen you can't force it on, but there is a secondary light to let you know it's running (below joystick), and it will run automatically.

 

[Tronics212]

Thank you guys... yes on the AR210 the bilge, blower, lights, and audio are all separate. I trailered the boat fine after it went down on me. I guess my o my concern would be if my audible alarms aren’t working, for say running hot or a malfunction, I just worried about making it worse or blowing up an engine. This is reassuring

 

[mark_m]

Thank you guys... yes on the AR210 the bilge, blower, lights, and audio are all separate. I trailered the boat fine after it went down on me. I guess my o my concern would be if my audible alarms aren’t working, for say running hot or a malfunction, I just worried about making it worse or blowing up an engine. This is reassuring

Battery - you should be good on a new boat, bring a jumper pack if you’re worried (you should probably have one anyway)

Check your oil and make sure you’re good.

Keep your eye on the cooling watching out for the coolant water pissers on the side when you run at idle and especially at speed.

Keep your eye on the cooling watching out for the coolant water pissers on the side when you run at idle and especially at speed.

You’re gonna be fine! But make sure Yamaha makes it right somehow so you’re satisfied.

 

[anmut]

Thank you guys... yes on the AR210 the bilge, blower, lights, and audio are all separate. I trailered the boat fine after it went down on me. I guess my o my concern would be if my audible alarms aren’t working, for say running hot or a malfunction, I just worried about making it worse or blowing up an engine. This is reassuring

Good point. I would get it in writing from the dealer if you can run it without the screen working. Then use that to have Yamaha make the next four months worth of payments on your new driveway anchor.

 

[Tronics212]

I’m in talks with Yamaha now but they’re not really saying much just yet. It’s crap I have had the boat for going on 3 months and it was broke on the 2nd trip out. Completely unacceptable. I will be getting at the least an extended warranty. By the time the first payment was due she was already done sitting in storage. Not sure about asking the dealer about running it without the screen. At least this way if something happens I can still play dumb. It would be in their best interest and Yamahas to tell me no, don’t run it. But she seemed fine other than boating blind. The wife has approved a high end marine gps so that’s a plus lol...

 

[Dave burke]

I’m kinda with you about telling Yamaha. They will undoubtedly say don’t use or use it at your own risk. You could ask them if the overheat alarms still work without the connext though.

I ran mine for 6 weeks last summer without tachs or the Connext. Same reason, waiting for parts.

No issues in my case. I wanted the stereo though so I ran a wire from the cigarette lighter to the radio and controlled it from the remote in the stern and the phone app.

 

[Tronics212]

I’m thinking this is the only option. Otherwise they need to just take the boat back and give me a new one in 2021 lol... I will install a new transducer and figure that out this weekend though. I appreciate all the feedback.