checklist question

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />Last Friday we took the boat out. At the ramp I could not get the engine to start. After several minutes of trouble shooting I found out it was a fuse issue. This got me thinking?<br /><br />Before leaving my home I should just hook up the water muffs and start the engine to make sure it starts. That will give me peace of mind when I get to the ramp. Do any of you have do this ritual before heading out to the water?

 

[KCook]

Re: checklist question

I would make sure the charge on the battery was good. But that is as far as I took it.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[bdirect]

Re: checklist question

If my boat sits for longer than a week i always start it the night or morning before i take it out.

 

[mallardjusted]

Re: checklist question

I do like bdirect - I don't worry about it when using it consecutive days, but do start it in the driveway when its been sitting a few days or more.

 

[rojoc]

Re: checklist question

I run the boat on ear muffs before leaving the house every time out! I also run upon returning home to remove some of the salt from the ocean or sound (ten minutes or so). I do this religiously. This will without a doubt prolong the life of the engine and manifolds.

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: checklist question

I muff it and fire it up in the driveway before leaving every single time... dont want to waste my time going down and launching just to find out it wont start.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: checklist question

I find these replies surprising. Apparently I'm in the minority here, but I never pre-fire at home...except for the first time of the year to de-winterize and maintain it, and the last time of the year to winterize and maintain it.<br /><br />I'm with Kcook...if it's been sitting a bit, I just probe a voltmeter on the battery to make sure it's above 12.5. If yes, it's good to go.<br /><br />I figure my properly maintained and cared for boat will start as reliably as any car will start every single time it goes out. 30 years later I've never had one let me down. If I fear my boat is so unreliable that it might not start at the ramp, I figure I shouldn't be taking it out on the water in the first place. And frankly I'd think all those unnecessary extra starts per year would add a bit of wear and tear to a motor and starting system, though I'm sure it's pretty neglegible.<br /><br />The hose/muff routine consumes another 15 minutes of time that could be spent doing much more enjoyable things. In the unlikely event someday that I have a problem at the ramp, the 15 minutes I've saved per day, 30ish days per year over the past 30ish years will offset my one day of inconvenience.<br /><br />Now if I was in saltwater, I'd certainly do what rojoc does to flush the salt out. But I see no reason to do it again before going out. And no reason to flush a block run in freshwater.<br /><br />There's my take on it...

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: checklist question

Wow, you guys don't have much confidence with your equipment. If I didn't think my motor would start, I would question it lasting when I am miles from shore. <br /><br />Boating should be fun, not something to worry about.

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: checklist question

when your running older equipment thats running points and condensor distributors, carbs with no choke, etc etc, you learn that filing points in the driveway where its not rocking and your tools arent rolling away from their percarious perch points is much easier. I've not had a problem in awhile but it sure doesnt hurt to fire it up while doing all the pre operational checks anyway... check oil, check coolant (heat exchanger) check trailor tire pressures, check straps, plug, etc etc and loading gear all takes awhile anyway. Need something to do while I wait for wife or other family members to arrive anyway so why not make sure I can hit the water running instead of tinkering when I get there.

 

[trog100]

Re: checklist question

nope but what u should do is find out why u had a "fuse issue" in the first place.. <br /><br />trog

 

[rojoc]

Re: checklist question

Post script: My 5.0 cobra takes a few minutes to warm up, and as crowded as our ramp gets, I would rather not have to stay tied up at the dock and wait. So as soon as we are in the water and walk the boat to the end of the dock (my wifes job), she lowers the drive, starts the engine and by that time I have parked my vehicle and we are on our way! Too many times I have seen boaters launch and then have some sort of a problem, thereby holding everyone up. Running at home serves more than purpose.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: checklist question

I only run my motors at home at beginning and end of season or after doing any work on them. Only the big motor has electric start and a quick check of the gauge in the driveway tells me I'm good to go.

 

[bdirect]

Re: checklist question

For those of you that run well maintained equipment I guess you have never had a starter go in your car? Headlite out? Muffler go? Car not start? Tire go flat? Idle rough? Or do you spend all your time during the week testing changing replacing parts that may go bad? Give me a break with the insults about well maintained. Maintaining and trusting does not mean something will not somehow let go when you least expect it.<br />seems some folks want to make this a "just starting issue" So as part of a good overall maintainance plan the night before I start it and make sure evrything looks and runs well before taking my well maintained boat to the ramp at 4:30 AM and heading out . That way if something sounds a little off i can check it fix it before i am 10 miles away from land in 6 foot seas.<br />I cannot tell you how many times I have seen guys come down to the ramp put boat in water and no start. Guess what batteries are fine it is some darn little thing or another that went between this time and the last time he ran the boat. Or how about the guy that comes down starts his boat (he checked the battery too) starts up and sounds like the junk yard is right around the corner and oh yes here he is saying "but i just don't understnd it ran fine 2 weeks ago" <br /><br />Old saying goes like this "It always starts until the day it wont start"<br />