1st time launching tomorrow

[takirb]

I purchased a 94 Crest Sport 22ft about 2 months ago, with a 94 Johnson 48 SPL motor. I bought it from a dealer that was selling it for a friend. They state they've tuned up the motor, lights work, everything was fine and ready for the water. When i tried testing the lights this weekend, the battery was all the way dead. I had it tested, and was told it was a bad battery (how did they test everything with bad battery?) Anywho, new battery installed, nav lights work, tilt and trim, and horn works. Both tanks had fuel in them, so i disposed of the gas in one to fill up fresh. It's a 6 gallon tank, i figure i'll just add half a quart of oil to mix.

I'm planning to launch the boat tomorrow for the first time (first time i've ever launched a boat as well). Anything special i should know about getting the motor to crank up after it's been sitting for a bit? Pump the gas bulb till it stiffens, push the key in and hold for a few secs, pull the choke lever up, and keep turning it over till it cranks correct? I had a friend (previously owned a pontoon) that had originally offered to help launch it, but he keeps conveniently "forgetting" about it. I'm not as worried with the actual "launching" since i can back the trailer fine, as i am about getting the motor started. Any help or advice is appreciated!

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

I would go to Wal Mart and get a set of muffs and start it in the driveway, if ti won't go at the launch you will have to reload a dead toon which you will not enjoy one bit.

You definately don't want to hit the water till you know for sure the motor runs.

Pushing the key in activates the choke, and it is only choked if the key is pushed in, the lever is a timing advance.

You may need to play wiht how much you lift the timing advance to get it to start, you don't want to go all the way, I would try all the way up then back to half and try to get it going there.

As soon as it starts back that lever off abit and bump the choke to keep it running, you don't want to scream the engine.
Also trim the engine up before you back in to launch, don't need to rip that off on your first trip.

I do think it is critical that you start this before you leave your driveway, if it won't run in your driveway it won't run at the lake.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

That "choke lever" is not a choke lever -- it is a fast idle lever. It does both functions -- throttle and timing, just like the regular throttle lever only you can't move that one since you have to put the unit in gear. Do not spin the starter for more than 10 seconds at a time as you will overheat it. You really need to run this unit before going to the lake. Sitting at a ramp and taking up valuable dock space with a non-functional engine will likely make you an target for comments from others trying to use the facilities. As for launching, use the "get ready area" to get stuff out of the vehicle and on the boat. Don't back down the ramp and then begin to load stuff. That will make you very unpopular.

 

[JWRoberts]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

Very good advice given above. I can only emphasize the point of running the motor at home.

 

[woosterken]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

you didn't say where you are maybe some body here would lend you a hand for your first time.

woosterken

 

[HammondTiger]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

Great piece of advice from 5150. Also I like to bring along a few things "just in case" you may need them. Flashlight,small toolbox with several different size wrenches, A TOW ROPE,extra set of plugs,extra fuses. Also don't forget buoys and a good anchor.

Running it at home before you get to the launch is something that will save you and others at the launch precious time. By the time you get to the launch and put the boat down in the water,the engine should fire right up.

 

[takirb]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

Just giving an update. the first launch went fine when i FINALLY got it in the water. It didn't idle well at all, but ran great other than that. My friend helped me launch it. There was a private ramp where he works, if you call a small slab of uneven concrete surrounded by large rocks on one side and tree limbs on the other a ramp lol. Took me 30 min just to get it angled enough to back down the ramp. His words of "if you can launch from here, you can launch anywhere" were definately true.

The second launch at a public ramp took less than 5 min, from arrival to cranking the motor in the water, and i did the whole thing solo But, i had engine trouble halfway through the trip.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=311589&highlight=1994+johnson+48+spl

I've since purchased a new fuel line as the mechanic, and other's that i've asked, stated i either didn't prime it properly or there was a problem with the line/bulb. After i thought about it, i didn't prime it well as i squeezed hastily on the bulb 2-3 times and left it be (neither day did it firm up). When i removed the line for replacement today, i noticed the arrow had been pointing backwards from the way it should've been. Hopefully this will fix my idle issues as well as surging/stall problems. Thanks for the tips everyone! Pushing the key in for the choke was the main thing that finally got it to crank successfully (read somewhere that i should hold for 8-10 secs and that's what i did)

 

[pduquette]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

Great to hear things went well , just don't forget to open the vent on the tank too... on my second or third trip I couldn't figgure out why my motor kept dying...then I noticed the tank all sucked in:redface: Went fine after that !!!! ( It ain't rocket science , is it? ) peter

 

[takirb]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

I looked yesterday and couldn't find any vents on the tank. Gas does leak from around the cap if swashed around though, is that something that's acceptable as a vent? I'm pretty sure it's the original 6 gallon portable tanks that came with the boat from the manufacturer (i saw this kind on another similar pontoon).

 

[pduquette]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

Typicaly ,in the center of the fill cap is a knurled knob that will unscrew . should be a retainer in side to keepit from getting lost , if yours dosent have one , the cap may have been replaced . also check the highest point for a cap that may unscrew .
If the gas will leak when sloshed arround DITCH IT!!! you don't want to ruin a good day boating witha bar-b-que!! Personaly I recomend skipping the cheep Attwood tanks at wallyworld . I use 2 Moler 6 gals and they were worth the $4.00 more I paid . BTW is yours metal or plastic ??
Goodluck peter

 

[takirb]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

i like the tanks i have because they have a gauge built into them. they aren't the most accurate in the world, but they're better than trying to eyeball the gas level. i dont know what kind it is, i just know that its the kind i always see on pontoons. i havent found a replacement for them that i like yet.

 

[pduquette]

Re: 1st time launching tomorrow

Hi again Takirb !
I was able to get arround and take som photos to explain my comments .
Photo1) Shows the Atwood gas tank . I took the cap off to show the fillerneck , wich is the same soft blow moulded as the tank . These are typical of the "See Through" tanks with no float gage.

Photo2) Shows the Moler gas tank i currently use. note that the fill cap , gage , and fule connector , all have a bonded on threaded necks that are the same material as the cap/fitting that they connect to . I feel that the old tank leaked in cold , or very warm weather because of the dis-similar plastics .

photo3,4) Show the vent in the cap , in the closed and open positions.

Hope this clarifies my comments. peter