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**Guest** · 06-04-2012, 04:49 PM

I have an 2004 175 3.0 BR and i have all the gauges you say they left out. If you could post pictures of your dash, sterndrive and about 3 pictures of your engine (left, front and right) I think I can help you with any of your questions. Also I will try to post the same for my boat so you can compare with.

**Guest** · 06-04-2012, 05:17 PM

Your dilemma is on reason I am glad I bought my 2011. The gauge cluster is nice to have, my owner's manual has a half decent wiring diagram, and if you had posted this a week ago, I would have offered my trim gauge to sell you, as I was thinking on placing my depth finder in it's place (instead, I drilled an awful hole in the dash beside the steering wheel).

I believe the engine is only slightly modified over the 2011, therefore, should have the sending unit installed. May even have most of the wiring connected, just tucked up under the dash.

Did your dealer say anything about the wiring or sending unit?

**Guest** · 06-04-2012, 05:42 PM

to save space you may look into the 4 in 1 gauges. They have fuel, temp, oil, volt in one instrument. Check http://greatlakesskipper.com/categor...-function.html whether they have one matching your style. If not you have to resort to the new-new stuff like Faria gauges (I think Bayliner still uses them).

To be honest, I barely check my trim gauge. It all goes by feeling......

Oh, and welcome on board!!!

**Guest** · 06-04-2012, 06:55 PM

This might be a drop in replacement for your tach, only it has trim/temp, looks to match factory installed speedo with volt/fuel. I am surprised Bayliner does not offer it as a dealer installed option.

http://greatlakesskipper.com/product...ndicators.html

http://www.bayliner.com/page.aspx/pa...spx#multimedia

Like others mentioned, while driving I don't use my trim gauge very much... but it is nice to have to remind you where the lower unit is when trailering , coming off of the lift or going through shallow water.

**Guest** · 06-04-2012, 07:15 PM

I have the 2011 also, I think the most important gauges are the water temp,oil pressure, battery voltage. I do like the trim but according to most people and myself you can watch the spray off the side of your boat it will move to the rear of the boat when your trimmed properly, I just use the trim gauge at launch and I guess when I go into shallow waters I got a cheap john dere hour meter for like 15 bucks and stuck it under the dash with a bracket and using a existing nut under the left side of the dash. No need to see that all the time, Just peek every once in awhile. What I like about the 2012 is the swim deck and I heard its quieter, But it is heavier and slower to get on plane by a smidge Im sure you will love it but If your like me you will get 2 foot ides Next season. I went to the boat show and that was bad, not for me but thats what the admiral said, 20 footer in the future I hope

**Guest** · 06-04-2012, 07:21 PM

yikes, they really went minimalist with the helm on the 2012 model compared to my 1996 which even has a factory depth sounder. And the location of the shifter/throttle is weird too. My shoulder might hurt after a day of boating being as high as it is.

Looks like they remained consistent with the height (or lack of) of the seat. Still 2 throwables required to see some water.

**Guest** · 06-05-2012, 06:27 AM

I have to agree with the minimalist comment on the 2012s. Before I even took mine home I made them install an hour meter and my chartplotter. Strikes me as odd that on an engine that requires servicing at certain hour marks, they don't give you any way to readily check your hours.

Check your bilge pump, too - the manual states it is an automatic bilge with an overide switch. On the 180OB at least, this is patently false. It's full manual, no float switch whatsoever.

kjs wrote:
yikes, they really went minimalist with the helm on the 2012 model compared to my 1996 which even has a factory depth sounder. And the location of the shifter/throttle is weird too. My shoulder might hurt after a day of boating being as high as it is.

Looks like they remained consistent with the height (or lack of) of the seat. Still 2 throwables required to see some water.

**Guest** · 06-05-2012, 08:03 AM

This is one thing that really got to me with the newer 175's the price of the boat goes up and they take away important elements. They should of left the guages in and added more like hour meter or a combo with fuel meter etc...

**Guest** · 06-05-2012, 08:16 AM

I looked into the Mercury smart gauge for mine - it was in excess of $1500 for the gauge alone :livid: That's why I just had them install a basic hour meter. Man, what a price!

JWebber wrote:
This is one thing that really got to me with the newer 175's the price of the boat goes up and they take away important elements. They should of left the guages in and added more like hour meter or a combo with fuel meter etc...

**Guest** · 06-05-2012, 09:56 AM

Welcome to the site. There are several models that use the 3.0L engine, so you should find good info hear as well as general boating stuff. It has helped me loads. Enjoy the boat.

**Guest** · 06-05-2012, 10:28 AM

Wow, I didn't realize I had all of these replies already!

I have been lurking on the forum for a little while now, which helped me decide on the 175 (I would have loved to go bigger, but the Admiral's requirement was that as our first boat, it had to fit in our garage with a foot path to get by). Needless to say, I made it fit

I picked up a sears hour meter yesterday after seeing it on one of the threads. figure I will install it near motor or near power kill switch under the rear seat. I don't need to see it on the water, just for overall tracking/maintenance since this will be a trailer queen.

I do think the Kronos line of gauges by Faria are the matching ones for the new 175's, so once I decide what gauges and how to mount, those will make the most sense (or one of the 4 in 1's, I will need to look into them further).

I also had the idea of installing gauges above the factory ones in automotive "gauge cups":

http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Meter-212.../dp/B00063063C

(you can go black/carbon/chrome/etc) just not sure how they will stand up to marine use

I did confirm last night that the motors have the two sensors installed for the trim gauge (limiter/sending unit) one per side, so for that I am just looking for the correct wiring. I have a feeling they are ran into the engine compartment and bundled up over the motor. I need to break the bundle apart and trace them. I will be sure to post up the details if/when I figure out what they are for others to use down the road.

I am shocked that they not only killed the gauges, but didn't even bother with idiot lights, all you get is a beeping alarm to tell you "something" is wrong... Water temp/oil pressure should be a minimum...

Other than the feeling of flying blind, the family is loving the boat so far! Oh, and thanks again for the Warm welcome!

**Guest** · 06-06-2012, 08:20 AM

JeffBowser wrote:
I looked into the Mercury smart gauge for mine - it was in excess of $1500 for the gauge alone :livid: That's why I just had them install a basic hour meter. Man, what a price!

I know crazy! I went with the same basic hour meter as well.

**Guest** · 06-27-2012, 07:09 PM

i have a 2011 and when i saw the changes for 2012 i was upset i didnt wait for 2012

my kids always bunch up at the rear platform....2012 gets that huge platform...problem would be solved.....also i like the stairs on the engine cover...right now we all walk on the seats...and white seats dont look good for long when your walking on them all day 2-3x a week

i dont get the lack of gauges on the 2012's though....i use the trim one every second...i need to know where im at....i guess you'd get used to being w/o it , but i wouldnt like it....i check the temp gauge once in a while too....

i will gladly swap boats with you if you'd like? im here in WI and my boat has been pampered and has all the gauges and a depth finder....ill take your platform

ps....check all your cup holders....the back ones both flew out...they are not siliconed well.....also trim around the middle of the windshield...i siliconed a edge piece back in today....the Mexicans are skimpy with the Silicone i guess...

**Guest** · 06-27-2012, 07:36 PM

I went with a dirt bike hour meter, very simple self contained unit with a 10 year battery life, you just wrap the pick up wire around one of the spark plug leads and away you go. It only records running hours which is great.

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/699115=29179-Hour meter.jpg[/img]I have seen trim lights, these are just a series of LED light sitting on top of each other, a bit like a battery meter. these tell you where the trim is. This could be an option for you rather than a guage.I agree with others, i need to know where the leg is sitting, doing this by feel could start costing you a few $ and props.

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New 2012 175BR owner here-gctid388487

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