Maiden Voyage

[morgro269]

We finally got to pick up our 2015 242LS today. I can't even express how excited we were/ are. Aside from my little 14' aluminium fishing boat, this is our first real boat. We had a great time with the demo that the dealer did with us today before sending us off. G and R did an amazing job. They were thorough and fully explained everything to my wife and I and answered any questions we had. Everyone should do business with them.

After the demo, we headed off to the Connecticuit river to meet up with some friends. A couple stops along the way to get the kids and gas. Both stops had people climbing on the boat and checking it out. It definitely draws a lot of attention. I was able to fire up the stereo system for anyone that wanted to hear it (Rev10's, HT-6 pushing the stock speakers, HT4 for the tower speakers, AS-10 sub, wetsounds equalizer). It sounds great. Can't say enough good things about the wetsounds equipment. The REV10's are works of art. They fit perfectly with tower- almost like they designed the tower around the speakers. I was worried they would be too big. You literally have to try and bump them.

Plopped the boat in the water and pushed off- into a crazy wind. Fired up the motors and pulled away from the dock. Here's where the issue started. The radio wouldn't work anymore. The Connext says "Radio Comm Error" and goes into the annoying alarm. The media page says "Audio System Off" and will not turn on. None of the other stereo option work. I have no idea how to fix. The dealer happened to call while we were on the water just to check in and see how we were doing (another testament to their awesomeness). I told him what going on they had never heard of it. They are going to do some research and get back to me in the morning. I really hope they figure it out. I love the boat, it runs great, handles great but I really need the stereo! I vaguely remember reading someone else having the issue and I'm going to try and find that now. Hopefully there is a fix. I spent two hours on the water trying to figure it out. Rebooted the connext, shut all the batteries off for awhile, reset to factory defaults, etc.

Getting the boat back on the trailer in the wind and river current was not fun. It took 3 tries. With a little practice, it won't be so bad. I'm glad we had the ramp to ourselves to figure it out. A few pics of the boat are attached...

 

[Scottintexas]

38 posts and you finally got your boat!! she's a beauty, it's always a little dicey your first few trips out, try to make the next one just a learning trip with not a lot of other expectations but to learn more about the boat,

ENJOY !!

 

[Mauimike]

I got six hours on my 24LS and no problems with the contexts. Lovely lady you have there!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Welcome to the club! I would check all connections behind the dash on the Connext. It almost sounds like it lost coms with another device.

 

[morgro269]

I did that... a couple friends checked as well. Everything tooks good, couldn't find anything disconnected.

 

[itsdgm]

Congrats on the new boat. Sometimes it takes a few trips to get all the bugs out, I'm sure the stereo issue will get figured out soon.

 

[Edward]

Congrats on the boat! Looks awesome.

 

[Craig]

Wonder if it would cause this error if the swim deck remote lost connection?

 

[Williamsone46]

Congrats. I would like to see some pics of how you mounted you tower speakers.

I would bet your stereo is a ground issue.

 

[subysti]

Awesome boat! We will be out very early tomorrow morn on the river launching from Brunelle's. Taking some relatives out on a slow cruise up the river. I will look in the service manual I got for that stereo error and let you know.

 

[subysti]

@morgro269 ok in looking at the prints here there are a few possibilities that may not be obvious. The stereo is wired in series with a relay through the port tachometer so check connections from the tach and a relay back there. I know that's where G&R installs the amps so they may have jiggled a connection there. Also all the systems come through the SPU ( switching power unit) which is mounted under the rear starboard side seat. Stick your head in there and look towards the back of the boat and you will see it. If you stuffed things in there something may have come loose. Check all those connections also. I'm am more inclined to think it's either the connection to or from the relay to the stereo.

 

[txav8r]

Congrats on the new boat! All new things have a few glitches, but I bet they get you rocking in no time!

 

[ScarabMike]

Congrats!!!! That is a nice boat. I love the look of these.

 

[SCSTWG]

Congrats on the boat. How do you like the Jeep GC for towing? What engine does it have?

 

[MikeyL]

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy @morgro269 @!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

N-I-C-E boat ya got there ! I should consider gettin' 1 of those too !
LOL - Wishin' you the BEST Boating Season ever !
Best Wishes, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[morgro269]

Thanks for everyone! Huge thanks to Subysti for taking the time to look up the error message for me. Found the issue with the stereo. There are two 20 amp fuses above the DVSR. One of them was blown. As to why it blew, I have no idea. The stereo add-ons are completely separate and on their own circuit from everything else as you can see in the attached pics. Dealer admits (they called on their own to check on us again- G & R marine is awesome!) that if it happens again they'll have to investigate. For now, I've got extra fuses in the tool box.

As for the Jeep, we bought in new in 2012 knowing we were buying one of these boats as soon as we could, so we got the Overland with the towing package and HEMI. Can't say enough good thing about it. Put the Jeep in tow mode, drop the boat on the hitch and it levels itself. I think it's rated to tow 8800lbs. You can barely tell it's there. Obviously you can feel a little weight over some bumps, but it's really much better than I expected. The gas mileage seems to stay about the same, 11- 12 with and without the boat.

I think I am going to cut a hole under the port side bench seat to free the bass. It sounds good being closed in under the seat, but it sounds a lot better with the seat flipped up. What do you guys think? Would cutting a hole and covering it with a 10" speaker cover be worth it? Would it make much difference? Stereo attached for those who enjoy thsoe things...I've also attached a couple of pics of what G&R does to the captains chair to remedy the sharp edge that jams your legs when the bolster is up.

 

[MikeyL]

@morgro269 ............... GREAT photos !

Would you, for the rest of us, try and detail in words exactly what you meant here and that your photo shows ?
"I've also attached a couple of pics of what G&R does to the captains chair to remedy the sharp edge that jams your legs when the bolster is up."

Like what did they use, for material and glue ?

Many of us would like to replicate this, please.
Many Thanks, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[Evildwarf]

Beer, I definitely saw some beer.

 

[Clint]

Hi everyone - writing from Canada and picked up this thread due the bar that hits your calf when bolster is flipped up. I just got back from looking at a 242 limited s this afternoon and was ready to buy except the captains chair is very tight when standing...I find the edges of the seat that do not flip up make it feel cramped....am I the only one who feels this way? Any work a rounds?

 

[txav8r]

Welcome aboard Clint! Several posts on the subject. Some feel the new seat is too far forward, but they moved it forward because so many owners wanted to be able to swivel the seat 180 degrees aft. There is always a compromise. It is comfortable to sit in, and ok to stand bolster up, but the bar hitting your calves is a PIC (pain in calf) and your right, not too much room to stand, but it is workable. Some have considered losing the ability to swivel all the way around and remounting aft a little. Every boat on the market is a compromise somewhere, finding what suits you best is important. They even changed seats to accommodate the swivel and standing in front of it. But it is just too tight I think but some feel the 2015's are worth thousands over the previous boats. Once again, welcome.