Temperature probe and PDI

[Pfisher]

Hi! Our family got our first new boat 3 weeks ago, a Cutwater 28, and have gone on several local cruises- it is great! However we have some questions still hanging over us, so we hope we can get help from either our fellow Tugnuts or the factory staff.
I found a temperature probe for the battery charger in the loose bag of goodies. The charger Manual says that the temperature probe is especially important for AGM battery banks, which we have. So, I installed it myself, but I am just checking since it seems unusual to me that the factory didn't install it in the first place.

Lastly, I was notified a few days ago that my boat still needs a "PDI", which I found out means a pre delivery inspection. Can someone explain to me why this was not done prior to delivery? My family has plans for our only week long cruise this coming week, and I don't know if it's safe to leave before the PDI is performed. The kicker in all of this is that I can't contact the service that offered the PDI, and the dealer from whom I recently purchased the boat is not answering my emails or phone calls either! 🙁 Any advice would be great!

 

[Scuffy]

We had the same issue, and still do. I talked to Andrew Custis at Ranger Tugs who was helpful and reassuring. We had our Volvo looked over by Forked River Diesel in Waretown N.J. they found an issue that could have been a real problem. The PDI is meant to make sure the Volvo engine is performing as designed. Plus I think some instruction on how to properly operate and maintain the engine. I worried if something let go in the engine prior to getting a PDI done would become a warranty issue. The trouble is the PDI is sort of an inconvenience to someone who has just purchased a new boat. Especially if you keep the boat on a trailer and are an hour or more away from water to have the PDI done. Where we had the service done had no way to get the boat off the trailer. The local ramp was not suitable and the boat lift had no way to get the straps under the boat while it was on the trailer. We had the boat serviced and will have the PDI done later before we reach the 50 hour mark hopefully. I don't think the PDI is of any cost to you other than having to get it to someone who will actually do it. Watch out for over filling the engine with oil, better a little low than over full and don't run them hard all the time. Words from an authorized Volvo Penta service person.
D.D.