nphilbro
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2011
- Messages
- 304
I work on a lot of Johnson/Evinrude (1973-1993) motors and frequently my customers are new to boating. Oftentimes they don't have a bunch of boating friends and are left to fend for themselves to figure it all out.
Earlier this week a guy was having trouble starting his nice 1990 Evinrude 88spl so I went to the remote and started it right up. He didn't even know about pushing the key in for the choke!
Even though I hear so many complaining about it, I'm glad Washington requires boaters to pass an exam and carry their boater certification card. I spend the better part of an hour with my new to boating customers going over good maintenance procedures and basic mechanical safety/redundancy for those who boat the heavy currents of the Puget Sound.
Here are some basic recommendations I often make to anyone planning to boat in the Sound beyond those required by law:
Make sure fuel gauge works and you know the accuracy.
Make sure battery gauge works and you know its accuracy.
Have a working tachometer.
Have a way to measure distance.
Install a battery shutoff switch to shut off electrical to ALL components so nothing comes to life while unattended or towing. It will also save from trickle drain when not being used.
Carry a 2 gallon can of new fuel (premixed if required), rotated through the main tank regularly. This will get you to shore/safety if you run out of fuel or have bad fuel, siphon plugs, or anything else that makes the motor(s) unable to run off the main tank.
Carry an extra fuel hose with connectors.
Carry tools in a sealed container for basic repairs: Screwdriver (both types), adjustable wrench, others depending on boat.
Have anchor and extra 50ft of GOOD line - it will give you a way to be towed or attach to a moorage buoy and stop you from drifting with tidal currents.
Have a secondary propulsion source in good working order (ie. kicker motor) and a way to row. Be sure one or both motors can be pull started and have the starter rope attached to the hood (these are usually missing). Know where the choke is and practice pull starting the motor before you need to.
Make sure bilge pump is clean and functioning even if hull is dry. Often the seals will dry out or debris clogs the outlet if not used for a year or two and don't work when tested.
Chart your actual distances before you leave home and keep them with you on the water. 50 miles on saltwater can seem like 6 on freshwater.
Most new boaters have no idea what they face out there. Does anyone have anything else to add or know of another source that I can direct them?
Thanks!
NP
Earlier this week a guy was having trouble starting his nice 1990 Evinrude 88spl so I went to the remote and started it right up. He didn't even know about pushing the key in for the choke!
Even though I hear so many complaining about it, I'm glad Washington requires boaters to pass an exam and carry their boater certification card. I spend the better part of an hour with my new to boating customers going over good maintenance procedures and basic mechanical safety/redundancy for those who boat the heavy currents of the Puget Sound.
Here are some basic recommendations I often make to anyone planning to boat in the Sound beyond those required by law:
Make sure fuel gauge works and you know the accuracy.
Make sure battery gauge works and you know its accuracy.
Have a working tachometer.
Have a way to measure distance.
Install a battery shutoff switch to shut off electrical to ALL components so nothing comes to life while unattended or towing. It will also save from trickle drain when not being used.
Carry a 2 gallon can of new fuel (premixed if required), rotated through the main tank regularly. This will get you to shore/safety if you run out of fuel or have bad fuel, siphon plugs, or anything else that makes the motor(s) unable to run off the main tank.
Carry an extra fuel hose with connectors.
Carry tools in a sealed container for basic repairs: Screwdriver (both types), adjustable wrench, others depending on boat.
Have anchor and extra 50ft of GOOD line - it will give you a way to be towed or attach to a moorage buoy and stop you from drifting with tidal currents.
Have a secondary propulsion source in good working order (ie. kicker motor) and a way to row. Be sure one or both motors can be pull started and have the starter rope attached to the hood (these are usually missing). Know where the choke is and practice pull starting the motor before you need to.
Make sure bilge pump is clean and functioning even if hull is dry. Often the seals will dry out or debris clogs the outlet if not used for a year or two and don't work when tested.
Chart your actual distances before you leave home and keep them with you on the water. 50 miles on saltwater can seem like 6 on freshwater.
Most new boaters have no idea what they face out there. Does anyone have anything else to add or know of another source that I can direct them?
Thanks!
NP
