New boater with used boat

[cvtech1]

I am just wondering how you guys go out and just ride without wondering if your motor will get you back. I took my 1977 140hp Johnson(1st time since purchase) out twice in one day and it ran great. I just want to feel confident with my family and friends out on the water. Any advice will be helpful. Besides buying a new motor. Thanks guys!

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: New boater with used boat

1973 120 for me it never goes away ,until i buy a kicker or trolling motor, i dont boat on big water but you now its going to happen just flag someone down ,carry a cell phone. I am constantly watching my gauges and i make sure my battery is fully charged and always check you oils before you go out everytime. run it on muffs that makes me feel a little better.

 

[26bertram]

Re: New boater with used boat

Don't know were you are boating but I suggest buying Vessel Assist insurance if you are going offshore. Things break on boats and there are no guarantees. Have someone go over the boat and engine. Do the best to take care and maintain her. Have a good radio, batteries, fresh fuel. Take a Coast Guard course. Check the weather. Let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back. I cruise 10-20 miles offshore and honestly, there is always a low level of nervousness. Boats sink, sometimes so quickly you can't signal for help. Always repect the sea. I am new to the forum but have been boating for 40 years. Good luck and congrats!

 

[cvtech1]

Re: New boater with used boat

The only oil I know is in the lower unit, the one with the two flat screws. Thanks for any advice.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: New boater with used boat

I am just wondering how you guys go out and just ride without wondering if your motor will get you back. I took my 1977 140hp Johnson(1st time since purchase) out twice in one day and it ran great. I just want to feel confident with my family and friends out on the water. Any advice will be helpful. Besides buying a new motor. Thanks guys!

how do you know your car will bring you back when you drive off??--maintenance is key on any machine--get to know your engine and boat very well and confidence will follow

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New boater with used boat

I have a 1973 Johnson 85 and it's given me 5 years of reliable service since we "awakened" it from a long slumber. Often times I am boating near my uncle's cottage and I carry a cell phone in case of a break down. If no one is around, I carry a 4HP motor stored up under my bow. My transom is wide enough that I can just throw the little motor on if I need to and make it slowly back home. I haven't had to use it for that purpose yet.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New boater with used boat

ALWAYS wonder whether your boat will get you back, and have a contingency plan. It's not at all like a car, which stays where it is when it breaks down; not as bad as an airplane. Doesn't matter how new or old, especially with the ethanol issues today. The whole rig can "sink or swim" on a $10 part.
I say, a boat doesn't work until you hear the engine. When I cut the motor to drift fish I count on it not restarting right away, and thus don't get too close to the rocks or whatever. I leave time to toss the anchor. When it's idling I plan on it cutting off or bogging when I put it in gear. When coming into a dock I plan on it stalling when going into reverse. All this seldom happens ( well it depends on which of my "broken vessels" I am afflicted with at the time) but once is enough.
In some conditions I already have the anchor tied off and ready (crossing the mouth of a dangerous and remote ocean inlet on an outgoing tide).

 

[DavidInWilmNC]

Re: New boater with used boat

I always start my motor on the hose before taking it out. I generally gas it up and test it the day before and again right before we head to the ramp. I still aways have a bit of doubt about it getting us back on its own. I carry things I think I might need - spare prop and tools to change it, spare boat plugs, 2-stroke oil, general tools, fuses, duct tape, mounted and hand-held VHF's, and a bunch of other stuff. I'm adding a second battery and switch... I don't think I want to try and start that 90hp by rope! We boat in the Cape Fear River and the ICWW, so we're really not isolated if something should happen. I'm going to hunt down a 9.9hp kicker this winter. I'd like to have a way to get back in if we should break down. I generally have others with me, so I'd really rather not have them stress (or me stress about them) if something does hapen.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New boater with used boat

I'm going to hunt down a 9.9hp kicker this winter. I'd like to have a way to get back in if we should break down.

The peace of mind provided by a kicker motor is priceless.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: New boater with used boat

That was good advice all, I see nothing is certain. Just be as prepared as you can and enjoy boating and the water. This made me feel very good about going out. I have a 2hp Yamaha that could be stored somewhere on my 17ft Bowrider don't know if it will push my boat but I will try, any thoughts? Thanks all of you.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: New boater with used boat

trim oil , motor oil, l.u oil

 

[jdlough]

Re: New boater with used boat

A small kicker motor is the best. Even a 2HP can get you home, or at least to shore.

Two batteries with a switch is a HUGE relief. Not just in case the 1st battery dies. If the motor is hard to start, switching to both batteries at once gives an extra fierce strong push that just may start an iffy motor.

If you don't have 2 batteries, at least get one of those emergency jump start power pack back up batteries.

As a last resort backup, have 2 collapsible paddles stowed away handy. NOT just one!

Also, keep a gallon or a few of quarts of 2-stroke oil stowed away on the boat at all times. Just in case your oil tank runs dry. Or, if your oil injection system dies, in an emergency you may get by with dumping the 2-stroke oil into your gas tank (depending on how full your gas tank is - so you can get the ratio to 50:1)

And a couple of bailing buckets, like 1 gallon bleach bottles with the bottom cut out.

Every once in a while, within 50' of the dock, I turn off the motor and restart it again, about 30 times. Just to convince myself that this thing will actually start out there in the deep.

And get in the habit of glancing back there to check for a strong pee stream. Not just when you start it, but throughout the day.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: New boater with used boat

You can do everything right, tune-ups, maintenance, prep, and still not make it back under your own power, Things sometimes just go wrong no matter how well you take care of your boat, fuel pump, solenoid(s),starter,hit a rock, Y-pipe with a hole in it etc.. Now ask me how I know this!! I never know whats next, but I do my darndest to get out there and do what I love, Being free!! The only thing you fear is fear it's self, Now get your aft out there!!

 

[scutly]

Re: New boater with used boat

I am just wondering how you guys go out and just ride without wondering if your motor will get you back.

unlimited tow insurance (only $150 and MUCH peace of mind), a fixed mount VHF integrated with my GPS to transmit my position (gotta love that new VHF/DSC technology) and a cell phone in a water proof bag. but i boat exclusively in the bay and will probably not venture offshore for quite some time till a gain MUCH more experience. oh and i do have dual batteries, a tool box and a mental checklist of stupid things that would keep my engine from starting.

 

[dlngr]

Re: New boater with used boat

I mainly boat in the Illinois river. Until I knew I had the boat pretty well in shape and dependable,I only boated upstream from the landing. The current will always bring you back to dock.

 

[Solittle]

Re: New boater with used boat

CVTech - Since this is a new motor to you your best insurance is to make sure that your engine is is top shape. There are a bunch of things you need to do if not already done - new water pump, thremostats, plugs, gear oil, general tune-up - - - etc. Your engine should give you years of trouble free service.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: New boater with used boat

Solittle I will get the motor serviced just for my piece of mind so I will know the service dates. And thanks guys for the other advice, I will look into a radio. I have depth/fish finder that I can't seem turn on, any ideas. Thanks

 

[cvtech1]

Re: New boater with used boat

Scutly, I have been over the stern at the launch putting in a plug after having been launched, so I under the mental check list. I have tow insurance but wonder how that will work. Thanks.

 

[scutly]

Re: New boater with used boat

I have tow insurance but wonder how that will work. Thanks.

oh its easy peasy i found out yesterday in my case i just hailed "tow boat tow boat" on channel 16. half hour later towboat shows up and takes you home. sign the receipt and slip the guy a 5 or 10 spot. it paid for itself in one tow. guy told me it was $170 an hr and this was a 3 hour job. they charge from the time they leave there dock to the time the return. woulda been almost $500!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: New boater with used boat

Ok I am buying me one of those, seriously!! Along with other services that I could provide