This was my embarrassing learning event yesterday. Though I have several years of experience, I learn something every single time I'm on the water. Long story for any who may be interested.
We get an earlier than average start for the day because rain is likely later- we've been rained on the last 5 outings, and counting... The kids with
rabid with anticipation of gong tubing for the first time!!:dance:
Dunk the boat in the water -> she won't start:facepalm:. Warning buzzer just gives me one beep- not three or four and the engine won't turn over, no fuel pump pressurizing, no solenoid click. Voltmeter reads about 10!! Battery is dead? That's never happened before. WTF I hit up the guy next in line to launch right next to me for a jump, totally disrupting his launch and departure routine for his families tubing outing. We connect the cables but to no avail- not turning over, no fuel priming noises either, still.
Yet when he revs his engine, I can turn it over but no fuel injector priming or ignition- just solitary beeps.
I'm sweating like a pig and confounded as to what's going on. The kids are looking depressed but handling it ok. We're hogging up a double wide launch while people are starting to back up. My boat is completely disheveled with stuff scattered hither and yon after trying to find my jumper cables. I'm dreading the thought of disappointing the kids massively, as well as the daunting task of winch-only loading. I offer profuse thanks to the fellow boater for trying to help me out whilst delaying his outing and send him on his way.
Before throwing in the towel I notice that
the dead mans switch-clip is ajar or not fully engaged:facepalm:. Pop it in and we're in business, albeit 20 minutes later. The day was saved!
The kids never stopped ribbing me yet about not having the MOB switch on my pre-check list! We tubed till their arms fell off!
Lesson learned.
