Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

[dswi]

I have a 1989 Glasstream 17'
Mercruiser Alpha 1 3.0 w/Alpha 1 outdrive
Why does it crank easier in the yard on muffs than when I get it to the bottom of the boat ramp??
No problems with it cranking at the lake, but it takes about 5 seconds to crank vs the 1 sec to crank on a waterhose...
I don't understand.

Thanks for the info
Darrin

 

[Don S]

Re: Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

Crank or start?

Cranking is the starter cranking the engine over.
Starting is the engine actually running with the starter.

 

[Don S]

Re: Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

Assuming you mean starting. Are you using the throttle only button and pumping the throttle a time or two then leave it up about 1/8th throttle to start it? Is the timing right using a timing light (setting by ear never works unless you really know what your doing).

 

[dswi]

Re: Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

Crank or start?

Cranking is the starter cranking the engine over.
Starting is the engine actually running with the starter.

Actually start (running)

 

[dswi]

Re: Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

Assuming you mean starting. Are you using the throttle only button and pumping the throttle a time or two then leave it up about 1/8th throttle to start it? Is the timing right using a timing light (setting by ear never works unless you really know what your doing).

Timing is right, Dwell is right, air/fuel mix is right...

I usually do that to the throttle exactly the same in both cases (in the lake or on a hose)

 

[Don S]

Re: Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

Give it an extra pump or 2, or a little more throttle. or crank and pump the throttle at the same time.
Unlike EFI, carbed engine starting takes a little trial and error to find out what works best on your particular engine.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

Why does it crank easier in the yard on muffs than when I get it to the bottom of the boat ramp??

Darrin

Starting easier in your driveway may be simply due to it being warmer? Let's say it's been sitting in the sun for a while, the engine compartment will be warm and it starts quickly. Then you trailer it to the lake ( wind cools the boat), and temps at the lake are cooler than your driveway, and you back into cold water. Conditions are not the same - it will take a couple of extra cranks to start. One theory anyway

 

[superbenk]

Re: Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

I would assume the back pressure you get from the exhaust sitting under a foot of water adds to the equation as well. Free-er exhaust flow in the driveway.

 

[dswi]

Re: Why does my boat crank easier in the yard on muffs than in the lake??

All of this makes sense...Thanks for the input guys.