Most people that go fishing every now and then rent a boat from someone which they use for a few hours.
However, any enthusiastic angler will need a boat for themselves. That’s because being familiar with your boat is a huge part of the experience for any angler.
This includes making sure you know all about what it has to offer you, meaning all of the good things and even all of the bad ones.
That’s exactly why we’re going to use this article to provide users with a list of the most common Mako 18 LTS problems and their recommended solutions.
But before that, allow us to talk a bit more about the Mako 18 LTS boat itself for those that aren’t completely familiar.
This is one of the most popular options from Mako, a popular brand when it comes to equipment and vehicles related to fishing.
There are a lot of great things to discuss with this boat in particular, however as already mentioned what we’re going to be focusing on are the problems.
That said, here’s our list of some of the most common Mako 18 LTS problems.
Common Mako 18 LTS Problems and Their Solutions
- Mako 18 LTS Won’t Start
The most common and definitely the most annoying of them all is when the Mako 18 LTS won’t start. This is something that can happen for a number of reasons and that’s exactly why it’s an irritating issue.
However, once you know the source of the problem, this is usually an easy issue to deal with. That said, we recommend checking the engine before all else, as it’s the usual culprit in these cases.
Check it for any loose parts or damages that might’ve been caused by rough waters or collisions.
Take care of these yourself. Alternatively, if you are feeling hesitant then get a professional to take a look at things for you if they’re beyond your knowledge.
Either way, in the end, you’ll likely have to end up seeking a professional mechanic’s help anyway if the problem is something too serious.
As for the wirings, people should remember to observe these carefully. If you notice that the connections are loose then make sure that you tighten them back up.
This can take some time but doing so should fix the problem in most cases.
If there are any damaged cables on your device, then make sure that you replace these carefully.
You can usually notice wires that are damaged by looking out for cracks and breaks on them. The main culprit behind this issue is improper routing which is why it should be prevented.
If you are having trouble trying to replace the cables on your own, then simply ask an electrician to replace these for you. They might ask you for a small fee, but it is better than having to replace the wires on your own.
- Self-Drain System Not Working
The self-drain system is a very important part of the Mako 18 LTS boat. The reason behind why this is the case is rather self-explanatory.
For the few that don’t know, when you are out in the open waters riding your boat at full speed, lots of water tends to get inside.
Not only that, but it can also find its way inside in dangerous amounts when you are just sitting still catching fish.
This is something that the self-drain system takes care of. It does so by sending all the incoming water right back where it came from.
However, sometimes there are issues with this particular component of the boat which leads to it not working properly as it should.
This can be caused by damage done to the boat’s structure, or it could be one of the holes for self-draining getting plugged by debris. Inspect both and fix the issue accordingly.
The damage done to the boat can be difficult to fix as you might have to replace some parts.
As for the draining plug being clogged, people can usually fix this easily by removing all the dust from the device. Make sure that you remove the device carefully and then remove any debris inside it.
This will take some time, but it helps in ensuring that the problem is taken care of.
- Control Centre Issues
The control center is another very important part of any boat. For those that don’t know what this is, this little area in the boat is actually one of the most crucial parts of it.
It is where users control the entire vehicle, including movements and other aspects of it. It is also responsible for holding other key features. These are used to make the fishing experience much easier for anglers.
It’s an especially integral part of the Mako 18 LTS. This is why it’s very annoying when it starts being problematic.
There are a number of different reasons why the control center might start providing issues to users.
In some cases, it could be that it’s loose and about to fall off. This is a surprisingly common problem, but luckily, it’s one that can be dealt with easily.
In other cases, it may be a more complicated issue. This issue likely has to do with the wiring and structure of the Mako 18 LTS.
In this case, we recommend getting a professional. They’ll be able to help you sort things out and find a solution for them accordingly.
- Engine Starts Overheating
Sometimes people might notice that the engine on their Mako 18 LTS starts to overheat.
If this happens then there are several reasons behind the issue. The first thing that you need to look out for is clogs and dust on the water pump.
These usually gather debris over time which collects inside the pumps.
This has to be removed manually so that problems like overheating can be avoided. If you had not been doing this, then there is a high chance that there might be a lot of dust gathered up.
This does not leave any space for the engine to breathe which results in it overheating.
You can open up the vehicle and then remove all the dust on your own. However, if you are having trouble with the process then make sure that you consult the manual provided along the Mako boat.
This should further help you in dealing with the issue and ensuring that you remove all the clogs properly. If you are still having trouble, then look for guides online as there should be some videos that can be followed.
There are also people that might feel hesitant trying to clean the pumps on their own.
When it comes to them, it is best that they contact a specialist instead. This will always be better for beginners, and they can learn how to clean the pump from the specialist.
Another thing to note is that the engine can also overheat if you have not filled up the coolant on it.
This gradually decreases and should be filled back up again. The brand that you decide to purchase the coolant from also plays a huge role so make sure that you do this carefully.
Once the coolant has been filled up and you have removed the dust from the pumps, your vehicle should start working again. If you notice that there are still problems with the boat, then move on to the final step.
- Mako 18 LTS Might Have Some Damaged Parts
The common problems provided above are some of the most reported issues with the Mako 18 LTS.
However, some people might notice that the problem they are running into is not mentioned. The main reason behind this is that there are tons of moving parts on the boat.
In some cases, the issue you are running into can be from faulty or damaged parts on the vehicle.
If this happens then the only thing you can do is go through all the parts on your boat. This helps people in identifying what might be causing the issue and understand how it can be fixed.
If you are someone who understands how the different parts work, then finding the root of your problem should be easy.
You can then repair the parts or replace them with new ones to fix the issue. Though there are also some beginners that might be using the vehicle.
When it comes to them, trying to identify the problem might seem impossible.
If you still want to do this on your own, then consult the manual to help you out. However, if you are feeling hesitant trying to fix the issue on your own then the customer support team can be contacted.
The team will first ask you some questions regarding the vehicle. Make sure that you answer these carefully as they help the team in isolating the problem.
Once done, the team will then provide you with solutions or ask you to send the vehicle back for repairs.