First time out after storage.

[bharris6]

Okay so in about 2 to 3 weeks I will be taking my boat out for the first time after it has set up all winter for about 4 months. What should I expect. Should it fire on the first turn? Will it take a couple of pushes of the start button to fire? I just know with our old boat which was a 84 glastron I/O it took about 15 minutes to want to wake up from its long nap. I wonder if our 07 sante will be any different?

[Miljack]

did you "fog" the engine? If so, make sure new plugs are installed AFTER the first fire up, let it run a few minutes, if it's in the water, warm it up slowly and then run it for 10-15 minutes at a cruising speed. Now put new plugs in it and you're ready for summer!

[bharris6]

We didn't fog the engine because we were told that was not nessary if you were only storing for a couple months.

[AirTool]

My 2006 never fires within 2 seconds of depressing START. I believe that's the fuel pump delay setting that is different than autos.

Now having said that. It has never taken more than 3 seconds to fire even after 4 months in storage. After a fuel filter change it still fires in about 4 seconds of cranking....remember the first 2 seconds don't count. So that's firing within 2 seconds of the fuel coming on.

Everyone has de-winterizing procedures based on what they did when they put the boat up. But one rule I try to follow is: I never make any repairs before the first outing. I might re-install the belt or impeller but that is it. If there are any problems on the first outing, I don't want any doubt that it was self inflicted. When I make a preventative repair like plugs or wires or something, I want to take a perfectly functioning engine and then do the work on it then expect it be a perfectly functioning engine. Make sense?

But one thing you might want to consider...is charging your battery(ies) before the first outing....depending on you, your battery, and how you might have manged it during storage. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

[BrennanK]

Definitely charge the batteries. There is nothing worse then getting to the lake with a dead battery. I take mine inside the house for the winter anyway, so I just throw it on the charger some time when spring is near. I also always start my boat in the driveway and bring it up to temp and do a good visual inspection in the processes. That and I just like listening to my engine idle out of the water, makes me feel like I own a muscle car. I am not sure about those with keyless ignition; but I turn it to run, wait until the fuel pump is primed (you can hear it stop) and then crank. The GT-40 rumbles to life like nothing ever happened when I do it that way. Sure is a lot better then coaxing the old carbureted engines to life.

I always let my boat warm up to 160* at idle/in gear even when I am out on the lake. It takes about the time from when I start it on the trailer to when I make it to the course, so it works out well. I hate to beat on a cold engine. So I would be especially sure to go easy on her the first time until everything is up to temp.

Enjoy spring. Lucky you.

[bharris6]

Thank y'all for the quick reply's defiantly going to throw the batteries on the charger a couple days before we go out.

[AirTool]

Thank y'all for the quick reply's defiantly going to throw the batteries on the charger a couple days before we go out.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who as definite plans that does them defiantly instead. I do so many things defiantly already that it is hard to distinguish between the two.

[DJH]

I also always start my boat in the driveway and bring it up to temp and do a good visual inspection in the processes. That and I just like listening to my engine idle out of the water

+1!

[Quinner]

Check your fluid levels before starting, add some fresh fuel if possible. Once you start running keep an eye on your temp and do a visual inspection around the motor for any leaks.
Have experienced fuel issues with last seasons gas (treated before layup) in the spring, get as much fresh fuel in there as possible, even topping off until you have added at least a full tanks worth

did you "fog" the engine? If so, make sure new plugs are installed

Curious why you feel this is necessary?? Did 6 winterizing w/fog and over 400 hrs on the original plugs before changing them, which were changed then only because of age/use not running issues.

[Miljack]

Just a habit from the old days. I'm not that familiar with some of the new fogging oils, maybe they burn off cleaner...

[DanielC]

Make sure you supply water to the raw water pump before you start the engine in the driveway. Running the engine even brief periods of time with out cooling water can damage the raw water impeller. The damage may not be evident, but there is a good possibility the impeller will fail after you have launched the boat, and are not in a convenient place to have to replace the impeller.

[AirTool]

Make sure you supply water to the raw water pump before you start the engine in the driveway. Running the engine even brief periods of time with out cooling water can damage the raw water impeller........

and the exhaust system.

and NEVER put it in gear if the boat is not submerged in water.

[jmo]

In order to understand what you need to do to de-winterize you need to know how your boat was winterized. For example, some shops drain the water out and leave the plugs out, some places will fill with marine AF instead. Most likely your impeller needs to be reinstalled as well given its common practice to store it separately from the raw water pump so the fins don't set (dry in a curved position).

The running it in the driveway off of a fake-a-lake or the hose in a bucket trick is a great way to make sure you haven't missed anything.

Hope the helps,

JMO