I thought this was a bad Idea...

[superbenk]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

What is the norm around here? Do you lower the foot before "bumping" the engine? Do you not let the boat off the trailer before bumping? Or do like I do and slide the boat off the trailer into the middle of the lake, then see if the starter works? haha.

The following:

1. Start boat at home on muffs before heading to the water.
2. Either of the following:
a. Float boat off trailer with lines to dock, tie up & start boat at dock after parking truck
b. Back boat into water, drop drive & start before unhooking bow strap/chain, get running, unhook, back off trailer & drive to dock

Prep lane is not the place to bump the engine or run the engine dry IMO. It wastes other people's time waiting for you & can ruin your impeller and/or U-joints.

 

[skargo]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

I have an Alpha one gen one with NO impeller in the drive. I have an engine mounted, belt driven, brass bravo style pump with a through hull pickup. I have closed cooling too, but would never run it dry!

 

[Mark42]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

My latest motor, 2003 90hp Johnson, has a hose connection right on the back of the powerhead (where the telltale exits), so no muffs are needed. Is this a better way to flush/test the motor than the muffs?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

1. Drive boat to lake.
2. Float boat off trailer and tie to parking dock
3. After parking truck, start boat and leave dock

If you feel like you need to "test start" your boat every time you use it to make sure it works then you are either paranoid or your boat needs some major maintenance. Do you cross your fingers every time you start your car?

 

[superbenk]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

If you feel like you need to "test start" your boat every time you use it to make sure it works then you are either paranoid or your boat needs some major maintenance. Do you cross your fingers every time you start your car?

It's nice to know if there's a problem you didn't realize was there before you're holding up everyone at the ramp. My boat starts right up every time, but it still seems like a good idea to be sure. I've seen a lot of people at the ramps struggling with a poor-starting engine, etc. while their truck & trail sits on the ramp holding everyone else up.

I don't cross my fingers, but I always pay close attention to any odd noises, etc. when I start my car. I like to deal with problems when they begin, not when they develop into something really big - especially somewhere off the beaten path.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

You should back the boat and trailer into the water and start it before you take the boat off the trailer......if it doesn't start, just pull it back out of the water and take it somewhere else and fix it. You shouldn't be tying up the launch ramp OR space at the dock unnecessarily. I make sure my stuff works before I go to the ramp, and so should you. If your crap isn't right there is no reason you should inconvenience others who spent the time and are ready to boat. I have three boats....the newest is an '86 and I can guarantee that any one of them will start instantly at the ramp before I even go. I do not like wasting other people's time who are waiting to launch. Lime4x4 is the same way about his boats....

 

[jigngrub]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

1. Drive boat to lake.
2. Float boat off trailer and tie to parking dock
3. After parking truck, start boat and leave dock

If you feel like you need to "test start" your boat every time you use it to make sure it works then you are either paranoid or your boat needs some major maintenance. Do you cross your fingers every time you start your car?

I take it one step further and leave the dock with the trolling motor to get out of everyones way, then I'll crank the big motor.

My Merc OB owners manual says to replace the impeller every 3 yrs. or 300 hrs., and that's what I used to do when I was paying $125 to have it replaced. Now that I can replace it myself (in about an hour) for $20 I'll be changing it every year or 2.

The 3 yr. old one that I took off earlier this year looked just like the new one except for the "set" in the vanes.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

I start my boat the day before I launch on muffs. I also check the drive and engine oil and check for fuel/water leaks in the bilge.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

My boat is completely unhooked from the trailer as we back down, its not so steep at our lakes that sliding off is an issue. As the boat hits the water, I trim down, when the needle hits the bottom peg, I'm hitting the key. Fuel injected, dual batteries on "Both" If it wont start it wouldn't have been running when I loaded it. Regular maintenance, pay attention to details and keep the batteries charged. No need to "Prestart" or cross fingers at the dock!

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

1. Drive boat to lake.
2. Float boat off trailer and tie to parking dock
3. After parking truck, start boat and leave dock

If you feel like you need to "test start" your boat every time you use it to make sure it works then you are either paranoid or your boat needs some major maintenance. Do you cross your fingers every time you start your car?

+1....
Might get flamed, but you all act like there's only a 50% chance your boat's going to start every time. I know my boat and feel confident in it's reliability. Boating would be much more stressful if that wasn't the case. Too stressful in fact.

Now I could see the need for a "pre-start" if you only went out once or twice a season..... I'm on the water at least every other weekend and most times every weekend, during the season.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

+1....
Might get flamed, but you all act like there's only a 50% chance your boat's going to start every time. I know my boat and feel confident in it's reliability. Boating would be much more stressful if that wasn't the case. Too stressful in fact.

Stuff happens, especially when the boats get on in years. I see you have a 2007 boat so you are not going to have issues for awhile. In my pre start test I have caught a few things that I would not want to have finally noticed 15 miles offshore or after driving 500 miles to my destination.

When I used to fly, I was pretty confident in the airplane's mechanical condition but you still always do a pre-flight check before you take off. This is just a boating version of it.

 

[superbenk]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

Stuff happens, especially when the boats gets on in years. I see you have a 2007 boat so you are going to have issues for awhile. In my pre start test I have caught a few things that I would not want to have finally noticed 15 miles offshore or after driving 500 miles to my destination.

When I used to fly, I was pretty confident in the airplane's mechanical condition but you still always do a pre-flight check before you take off. This is just a boating version of it.

+1 for bruceb58. My boat is 31 yrs old, not 4. Many boats I see at the ramp are 10+ yrs & I wish they would pre start sometimes.

 

[GMIslander]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

It's a pain to hook up the hose & then unhook it.

Yes it's a rough life.

 

[Stachi]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

Yes it's a rough life.

I am an automobile mechanic.... if people would only check their oil level....sheesh !

 

[ezmobee]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

You guys are all chumps. I never shut my boat off!

 

[Stachi]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

Lucky You !!! ^^^^^

 

[Ronald harms]

Re: I thought this was a bad Idea...

Impellers don't survive rubber to Stainless. NEVER run without water to the pump.