Newly purchased Epic 21

[ScharperEpic]

Just picked up this boat with 310 hours. Besides jetskis this is my first boat and so far it seems pretty great. Few issues, nothing too major. The depth finder was working on the test drive but now it only ever shows .5 feet. The fuel gauge wasn't working so the dealer replaced the sending unit before I took it home but then it stopped working again when I took it out yesterday and just shows completely full all the time. I can probably figure that out if I mess with it.

The dealer I bought it from said they had brought it down to Florida (we're in NC) to a guy from this site and had him go over it and make sure it was good to go, replaced the ECU and some other things. They couldn't produce any paperwork so this may or may not be true. If you are that guy in Florida let me know. I'd love to know what all was done to this boat.

HIN: SOETA025F899

[breakawaydaze]

You will really enjoy that boat.  That dealer has had it listed for awhile, I saw it listed last summer.  The E21 is a pretty easy boat to work on and a blast to drive.  Anything you need to get info on is probably right here on this site.  I had an E21 for a short time and regret selling it every time I think about it.  Another member of this site has it now and he enjoys it just as much as I did.  I have a S22 now, but it just doesn't match up to the handling and performance of the E21.  Just remember, if you have any performance issues, stumbling, knocking or hesitation, don't do a bunch of diagnostics, JUST REPLACE THE SPARKPLUGS!  Don't buy 10.00 + iridium plugs just buy the motorcraft 2.00 spark plugs and replace them twice a year.  I doubt a dealer in North Carolina would ship a boat all the way to Florida for Captain Rick to work on, but in a couple days you will know for sure.  Have a great 4th in your E21!

[ScharperEpic]

They did have it for a while which concerned me at first until I did some research, ended up on this site, and discovered how rare it was and not having dealer support which probably scares a lot of people away from these. However, after reading everyone's positive stories about how reliable and fuel efficient and easy to work on they are (and being the kind of guy that doesn't mind getting dirty and figuring out how to fix things) I decided it was right for me. I got it a few days after they dropped the price a couple thousand. I always wanted a Ski Nautique since I grew up skiing behind them at camp but a comparable Nautique would have cost a lot more than I spent on this and it looks pretty much the same.

The story was they took it on trade last summer and over the winter one of their guys was going down to Florida to vacation anyway so he brought this with him. They did show me some emails where they discussed the boat and how much was spent on it but no receipts or breakdown of what was done.

[JIMBO]

nice boat! going into my 4th summer with mine and i couldn't be happier. this site helps make the boats as great as they are

[lesman01]

Welcome. I know you'll enjoy it! Capt Rick would be "that guy in Florida" and he'll pipe up in here soon enough and let you know if he looked it over. my depth finder has never worked but there's plenty of threads about fixing it. Gauge readings seem to be pretty common but mine seemed to clear up after a ran a 8g ground.

Check the shaft packing and make sure it's not leaking more than one or 2 drops while in gear.

Get a Perfect Pass to track speed and save your significant other relationship.

Spark plugs definitely change if it's running rough. There is a way to find the culprit by removing the coil packs one at a time while running and listening for the difference. No difference means a bad plug.

You won't run across a problem that has not been address on here...well except maybe the Bitzco sinking several years back...


Lesman

[Capt Rick]

The dealer did send me the boat and I replaced the Engine computer and the Throttle-body.  I offered to but the boat to resale it, but they wanted to sell it after I got it running. The issue I think was someone connected the battery backwards and killed the two items.

It was in good shape.

Fuel gauge. turn key on watch if the gauges flips from zero to slowly reading. If nothing happens then I think it is a bad gauge.

There should only be a slow drip when the boat is in the water. Repacking the shaft is online. The shaft is one inch.

Good Boating

Capt Rick

[ScharperEpic]

Glad to hear that work was done. I think they regret not just selling you the boat because they only got about as much as they paid you to fix it, more than you offered to buy it for.

I had it out yesterday and the depth finder started working again. The fuel gauge might be working too and its just not burning as much gas as I expected.

[Rambling Wreck]

 "The fuel gauge might be working too and its just not burning as much gas as I expected." I love seeing that comment!

Don't worry about the depth finder not working, mine doesn't either - of course, it is because I don't have one!!! (That was for Breakaway's enjoyment.)

Yes, you will love the E21. I bought mine from Breakawaysdaze and have never regretted it. From the first time I start it up each spring and hear the E21 rumble, to the time I freeze my cheeks off while winterizing on the lift, I enjoy the boat. It will scoot across the lake like a scalded dog or pull wake boarders for hours. I can only echo what others have already said, when in doubt, change the plugs. If that doesn't work, the members at this site will come up with a solution.

[shocker]

A tip from a 99 original owner.
If you need work done to the engine that you don't want to do yourself, find a Lexus mechanic.  I had my timing belt replaced a couple of years ago and the chief mechanic at the local Lexus dealer knew that engine.  It didn't hurt that I have the engine manual too.

[ScharperEpic]

Now that I've had this boat out several times I have a couple more questions:

First, there was a 6-7" or so screen cylinder piece rolling around inside the boat. Not sure what it's for or if it even goes to the boat. Any clue? Some kind of water strainer?

Second, there seems to be some vibration over 35mph or so. I don't have enough experience with boats to know if this is normal or not so I'd be especially interested in hearing from Capt Rick again who worked on this boat. When you had it in Florida did you take it out at all and notice excessive vibration? I don't feel it in the steering at all, more the floor of the boat. I've read it could be the prop or the shaft. The prop looks fine to me. Anything else it could be? Motor mounts perhaps?

On the plus side I continue to be blown away by its low fuel consumption 

[Capt Rick]

There is a white sea strainer it goes inside of the semi clear basket.

If this is the E21 that was repaired by me  from Carolina then yes it was tested ad found no issues with vibration.

Next time out open floor hatch and watch if the shaft has a wobble. or maybe you hit the prop!!!!

Capt Rick

[tryme]

I know I had a small vibration and it was the prop.  it looked fine but there was a small ding that actually caused the vibration.  it was staggering cause I didn't remember ever hitting anything

[ScharperEpic]

I took it out again and observed the shaft as it was running by touching it carefully with a screwdriver. If it's off it's off by a millionth of a millimeter. It seemed fine to me.

I also didn't notice any water dripping in around the shaft. Is it necessary to repack?

I think any vibration I'm getting is from the busy not-smooth lake and loose interior pieces. It's actually pretty smooth and vibration free on calmer water.

[HCollado]

Be sure to only run premium gas. If you put regular grade, the engine will run very poorly and feel like the prop is out of balance.

[Capt Rick]

Capt Rick decided to sell his 1st Epic 21 1999. and today Bought an Epic S22 with tower . So  not have 2 boats,  I will part with the 1999 Epic 21 looks the same . The boat is in Hartford Conn. Shipping runs about $2500 to go anywhere in USA.
The price is aout $11,000. with single axle trailer. Also free lifetime support.

Pictures when the snow melts.   1/8/2020

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Capt Rick
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