"Dry" start?

[TravisFling]

RE: Re: RE: Re: "Dry" start?

I, too, am curious as to why Mikeski would start his boat at the top of the ramp dry? If it's to check if it runs, then why not just it in the water, as you're already at the ramp... I would also hesitate to think that Mikeski would have any issue with batteries, or electrical charges, or starting systems, given his vocation and education... Mike?

[bobchris]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: "Dry" start?

I, too, am curious as to why Mikeski would start his boat at the top of the ramp dry? If it's to check if it runs, then why not just it in the water, as you're already at the ramp... I would also hesitate to think that Mikeski would have any issue with batteries, or electrical charges, or starting systems, given his vocation and education... Mike?

like a switch has never been left on accidently draining the battery, some rodent has never jumped in a boat and chewed through some wires and the list goes on and on to the possibility's of what could go wrong while your boat's sitting idle un attended. Not saying Mike specificly, but in general, it happens to all of us and if it hasn't happened to you yet it will, count on it.

It doesn't hurt the impellar to let it run dry for a few seconds to verify the electrical system has enough power to energize the starter and ignition system so that the engine starts. It's better to find out at the top of the ramp than to be the tool sitting in the water with a boat that doesn't start and there's a line of people waiting on your sorry butt scratching your head wonder what is wrong and why it won't start.

[jaybird]

Impeller & Exhaust damage

Ya, I agree with bob, it’s just smart to test crake before you launch your boat. Nothing at all wrong with that, a few secs will not hurt anything. But be careful not to press your luck, "A Few Seconds Only"

If continued to run it will soon ruin the impeller. Often over looked is the damage caused to the exhaust hose from running an inboard without raw water cooling. Even if you remove the impeller drive belt; if you allow the engine run excessively it will damage or greatly shorten the life of your rubber exhaust hose depending on the length of time allowed to run. The rubber exhaust hose will start burning long before any damage to the engine occurs.

[bobchris]

RE: Impeller & Exhaust damage

remeber this is only a quick test to verify all is well and not to warm up the motor. If the engine is tuned properly then it will fire within a couple revolutions of the crank, now if yours doesn't then you need to tune it up so that it does.

[jaybird]

Re: RE: Re: "Dry" start?

2 or 3 years on an impeller? I've gone 28 but NEVER without a water supply or the boat in the water.

You’re saying you haven’t changed your "INBOARD" impeller in 28 years? You sure the impeller fairy has not been visiting you at night? If you had an outboard then maybe..

I have helped service 9 to 10 Nautiques over the last 30 years and maybe have seen one impeller go 5-6 years. Personally I change mine every year, I mean why even risk the result of a failed impeller. It’s recommended they be removed during storage as not to get a set in the blades, for $35 once a year it’s just peace of mind.

[AirTool]

RE: Re: RE: Re: "Dry" start?

When I was a young boy, I'd sit in the boat and Dad would back in the water and hit the brakes. As soon is the I/O hit the water, I'd start the engine. Once he shot me off the trailer, I'd drive it to the separate dock for bait. We could launch a boat faster than anyone in South Texas.

We never cranked the engine before the process, but there were a couple of cases where we should have :shock:

When he visits, we still do it the same way....just no bait. Kids and equipment only.