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soccer101.
Hello everyone: New to basscat ownership. I have owned a pontoon, but never a bass boat.. so I am in need of help and explanation.
I purchase a 1996 basscat classic 19 footer. Unfortunately, the original owner passed away and don’t know how all the console switches work.
Here are some of the questions i have:
1 – how does the Fuel switch work? I has left on top of the switch and right on bottom of the switch. As far as I can tell, this is only one big tank. Are there 2 tanks on this model?
2 – Aerator Switch – top of switch indicates Auto, and bottom says Manual. Is this for the livewell? does the Auto works? if I set it on Auto, will it automatically fill the livewell and shutoff once it feels up?
3 – RECIR. switch? what does this do? top of the switch says auto and bottom of switch says Manual.. How does it work?
4 – Bilge Lights.. _ I understand this one :). there are 2 bilge pumps on this boat.. I put 2 new bilges because they were not working.. Now they work fine.
5 – Lights switch – I understand this one as well 🙂
5 – Time control Knobs (MIN – MAX), there are 2 knobs, what does this knobs do?
6 – Sensitivity knob – (pull for suppression) OSCALE SELECT – what does this knob do?
7 – LIVEWELLÂ CONTROL – dont laugh.. I never had a livewell before.. what does this do.. this is right below the throttle control level. How is different than the Aerator Switch on step 2. How do I use this switch .. the letters are kind of worn down.. but I think it says PULL TO ****Â and switch is below…
8 – Final Question – this boat has a 200hp Mariner outboard – it says fuel injected. it has a large oil reservoir. does anyone know what oil type is this? does anyone anyone know what are all the oil types this engine takes. if there is a manuals for this engine?
I would really appreciate your help explaining how to use these switches.
I never owned a bass boat before.. Looking forward to using it…
We can’t actually answer all your questions ourselves, though we will have someone assist. Glad you stepped into a bass boat and are trying to learn in the sport. We are glad to help as a company and prefer that another staff member more familiar with that era assist you. We also suggest a phone call to Mark who works in parts to discuss your questions. He may have more knowledge on the time frame and era of bass boats than most.
Also on the main page to this forum, reading the FAQ section can really help on older product.
soccer101:
Hello everyone: New to basscat ownership. I have owned a pontoon, but never a bass boat.. so I am in need of help and explanation.
I purchase a 1996 basscat classic 19 footer. Unfortunately, the original owner passed away and don’t know how all the console switches work.
Here are some of the questions i have:
1 – how does the Fuel switch work? I has left on top of the switch and right on bottom of the switch. As far as I can tell, this is only one big tank. Are there 2 tanks on this model?
2 – Aerator Switch – top of switch indicates Auto, and bottom says Manual. Is this for the livewell? does the Auto works? if I set it on Auto, will it automatically fill the livewell and shutoff once it feels up?
Auto mode allows the timers below to control the aeration of water, fresh water being brought in to the livewell. Manual would keep the aerator pump running continuously.
3 – RECIR. switch? what does this do? top of the switch says auto and bottom of switch says Manual.. How does it work?
Manual would keep the recirculator running continuously, whereas the Auto mode would allow the timers below to control the recirculation of the livewell.
4 – Bilge Lights.. _ I understand this one :). there are 2 bilge pumps on this boat.. I put 2 new bilges because they were not working.. Now they work fine.
5 – Lights switch – I understand this one as well 🙂
5 – Time control Knobs (MIN – MAX), there are 2 knobs, what does this knobs do?
I Think they are the timers for your Aerator and recirculator pumps. Pumps turn “on” for “x” minutes, then off for “y” minutes (for example- on for 2 minutes, off for 7 minutes). Minimum would be the minimum number of minutes on/off (for hot days), maximum would be the opposite, when seasons are more moderate.
6 – Sensitivity knob – (pull for suppression) OSCALE SELECT – what does this knob do?
The Sensitivity knob is probably the one that controls your “flasher”- Lowrance 1240A. It would be similar to the Vexilar FL 10, except the Vexilar is multicolor.
The Vexilar FL-10 Operation – YouTube
7 – LIVEWELL CONTROL – dont laugh.. I never had a livewell before.. what does this do.. this is right below the throttle control level. How is different than the Aerator Switch on step 2. How do I use this switch .. the letters are kind of worn down.. but I think it says PULL TO **** and switch is below…
Livewell control- This black “plunger” controls the flapper valve for your livewells. Push in to fill, Pull to empty. If you plan on keeping fish during a trip, you would push to fill, then leave it like that for the day. If you just catch and release, just keep livewells empty.
8 – Final Question – this boat has a 200hp Mariner outboard – it says fuel injected. it has a large oil reservoir. does anyone know what oil type is this? does anyone anyone know what are all the oil types this engine takes. if there is a manuals for this engine?
If this Mariner is an EFI engine or carburetor engine, you should probably be using the Quicksilver Premium Plus. It’s a synthetic blend oil, packaged for Mercury/Mariner engines. If it is an Opti-Max, you would need to use DFI oil. You may be able to get a Manual through Mercury Marine as Mariner was the sister company, same engine/different color at that time.
I would really appreciate your help explaining how to use these switches.
I never owned a bass boat before.. Looking forward to using it…
Most of this should get you started in the right direction. I used to own 89 Sabre, 96 Eyra and a 97 PII, but it’s been a while since I was in one. Gone a different route now. You can also use the FAQ section for more information.
VictoryGunner:Â Thank you so much for the feedback.. YES, YOUR INFORMATION HELPS ALOT.
thank you
More questions about this boat:
I was told 2 of the bilge pumps were out, and silly me, I went ahead and replace both of the bilge pumps without checking them (I know, I know, bonehead decision). New bilge pumps are working fine now. I replaced the bilge pumps with 750 GPH 12V cartridge. Unfortunately, I threw away the original bilge pump.. which possible were good.. (I know, I know.. rookie mistake)
after taking the boat out for the 1st time, and tried to fill the livewell. IT DID NOT WORK.. Apparently, the pumps that were out were the LIVEWELLÂ and the RECIRCULATION pump (check them this time, I have 12V when IÂ press the bottom, but NO sound of spinning of the pump).
Also the livewell pump is right under the huge gas tank, and recirculation pump is behind the gas tank. I see no other way to replace this 2 pumps without moving the gas tank. IS THIS CORRECT? IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY?
Another question: I have never had a power jackplate or tilt and trim mechanism on the steering wheel column. Can someone give me a some information how to use these two functions. from what I know so far….
I seem to have 2 switches for the jackplate, one on the left side steering wheel column, and another small switch on the dash.. WHY ARE TWO SWITCHES NEEDED? IS THIS NORMAL? How far should the jackplate be up or down when getting on plane.
The tilt and trim on the steering wheel column works well, but was having a difficult time to get going because it works so much different than my pontoon. Apparently, to get going I needed to have the Tilt and Trim all the way in.. Eventually, I kind out got the hang of it.. but if the T&T is not all the way in, the propeller was not graving to get going.. Lots to learn…
so, if I have a T&T on the right side steering wheel column, one at the throttle, one on the engine, and one on the front of the boat… does this messes up the Gauge of the T&T. Honestly, even when I got on plane, the T&T gauge barely show 1/4 from the bottom. Does bass boat owners pay attention to the T&T gauge? I know in my pontoon it really does not matter, if it is in the middle or all the way to the bottom…
I know this maybe basic question.. but I do want to learn…
thank you in advance
Related to the Pump questions above: are all the pumps (livewell, bilge and airator) the same.
are they all 750 GPH?
Hey Soccer101, you’ll probably start getting more responses this week.  They just had their owner invitational this past weekend.
I don’t know much about the bilge area of the classic.  It was the faster of the 19 foot models, so with that 200, you have a very different boat and very different way to drive it.
On the front page of the main site there’s a video on driving.  You should watch that and if you can find the one before it, that completes the series, it will greatly help explain things better than anyone trying to coach you right now.  Then it will take seat time and bumping the trim.
Yes, your boat will not use a lot of trim.
https://basscat.com/bass-boats-learn-to-drive-with-rick-pierce/
The more I look the more things I find  wrong on this boat.. but I am it was well taken care and I am determined to get it top notch again.
there are 2 buttons at the front of the boat for the Tilt and Trim, one bottom for IN and another bottom for OUT.
the OUT button is top section is not there.. it is a push button, where can I buy this button?
can I get it at amazon or a Marine store?
thank you,
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