Engine starts easier with key ......

[swist]

You only do this once. First boat, long time ago, worried about low tide grounding boat, jumped in and pushed off REAL hard from dock such that boat is 10' from shore and moving away fast when I noticed I left the keys in the house (no hidden spare either!).<br /><br />Luckily shallow enough and small enough boat that I manage to use boat hook to gondola-pole my way back.<br /><br />I still sometimes see people cast off before starting engine....

 

[Skiuseme]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I always cast off before i start my engine so i can get out of the way of everyone else but i always make sure my trolling motor is working great before i leave the house

 

[brother chris]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I always start my motor before I leave the dock, as too many times I have just pushed away and the dang thing never started and had to row back to shore to figure out what is wrong.

 

[BrianFD]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I always start the boat up on the trailer backed down into the water. We always let it warm up, too. If those waiting in line can't be patient, then they can wait and be mad.<br />It only happened once that I unhooked the boat and drifted away before warming up, and guess what?... the motor wouldn't start. That was 15 years ago, and I vowed then, Never Again!

 

[Capt Joe]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I always (well almost always) test run the motor before leaving home. That way I know there is no good reason why it shouldn't start at the ramp.<br /><br />Like Brian FD I never unhook the winch before the motor is running. Once was enough!

 

[beezee28]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I always check the engine is running the day before I take the boat out. Put the muff on and start the engine and let it run for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then engage the gear forward and backwards. Also check the tilt and trim and recharge the battery. This is to make sure I have a fully charge battery to start the boat when I take it out on the water. And make sure that I have the plug onboard too. Nothing spoil a nice day like water coming up from the bigle.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I learned the hard way to always start the engine BEFORE casting off. My first boat, my first time operating it alone (with wife and kids on board though) I cast off and couldn't start the engine. I was in a busy channel, at the dock of the fueling center and store(parallel docking). Other boats were waiting, ya know I was feeling rushed. The engine was warm as I'd just "NO Wake"d it for 15 mins. to get to the store/restrooms. I cast off and forgot the throttle-only button, so when it wouldn't start at idle I couldn't give it throttle and get the starter to engage. To get to the point, by the time I'd remembered how to start the engine, I'd floated bow first into the side of another boat at the dock (no damage, thank God) and then was about 500' downstream. If this is the worst that happens to me I will have sold my boat, and I don't intend to do that. And yes there were plenty of spectators.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I never remove the key from the boats ignition. I figure that when the boat is on the trailer, keeping a key in the ignition is not an issue. No thief will decide not steal your trailered boat because the ignition key is missing. <br /><br />There are about a dozen keys at my Mercury dealer, which fit most of the outboards he has sold over the years. A sterndrive's ignition switch can be replaced in about five minutes.<br /><br />When I keep the boat in the water, I also keep the keys in the ignition. If they want to steal the boat, it is easier and safer to tow it away.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I had the starter silinoid take a dump between the house and the ramp. Started fine in the driveway, but nothing at the ramp. Had to jump across the silinoid to get it running, so don't always assume that because it startedd at the house, it will start at the ramp. I always start mine before I unhook it from the trailer, but I don't stay there till it warms up either. I was told as a kid to clear the ramp as soon as humanly possible and warm the motor up away from the ramp while the car is being parked.<br /><br />Craig

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

In the year I've had my boat, the key has never left the ignition. <br /><br />I ALLWAYS start it before leaving the dock though, with a 30 year old boat you've only got about a 50/50 shot that it's going to start.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

first time my wife and I took out our boat we dropped it in the river in front of a lot of people down at the dock on thier lunch hour fishing and having lunch and I couldnt get the boat started. The wife says maybe we should float down alittle so people stop staring I say im not swimming back will you if it doesnt start?. a few minutes later I killed the battery and pull it back on the trailer. (what do you mean you have to push the key in to choke it???) I wont leave the dock unless im under power.

 

[Twidget]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I took my wife(GF at the time) on her first boat 'ride'. I borrowed my Dads boat, launched it, started the engine and used a rope to pull it to the dock. I had her hold it while I parked the truck.<br /><br />What could go wrong, right? Well...I hadnt tried the steering. You guessed it, the steering cable was rusted in the hard over right position. The boat would only circle.<br /><br />Ever since then, it all gets checked before it leaves the trailer.

 

[SeaJayacas]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

I remember my brother in law jumping in an old station wagon that we were starting up for the first time in a few years. After the engine started he jumped in, stepped on the gas and proceeded down the driveway which was on a steep incline. When we got near the bottom he stepped on the brakes for the very first time. I thought that showed a lot of confidence. It did but that confidence was misplaced as the brakes failed. The emergency brake did slow us down before anyone was killed. The neighbors fence across the street didn't do so well.<br /><br />Needless to say, I always start the engine prior to casting off.

 

[swat'in flys]

Re: Engine starts easier with key ......

Down in Florida, Clearwater area, my wifes uncle took us out on his boat. We were out on some islands swimming and picnicing. About 2hrs later we are ready to leave and his has lost his keys. Had them on a floater ring in his pocket and they floated away. No spare. Of course my first question is you are on an island, everyone who has come to this island came on a boat, why would you remove the keys fron the ignition. Luckily some one else on the island new how to hot wire the boat and we were able to get back. I never remove the keys from my boat.