Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

RinkerFamily

Cadet
Joined
Dec 2, 2004
Messages
13
What damage if any am I doing to my Merc. Alpha One I/O starting the boat on the ramp just out of the water? Typically I run the blower while we uncover the boat, take tie downs off and load the coolers and kids in the boat. I drive the trailer and back it down to the water's edge and then unhook the bow strap, hop in the back of the boat. Then I yell to my wife backing the trailer the rest of the way in to wait until I make sure the boat starts....nothing like floating off the trailer and then jacking around with getting the boat started and drifting into others. Anyway, I get the boat started and then I just yell, back her in and within 20-30 seconds the lower drive unit is in the water. Am I damaging my impeller or anything by doing this....running the enginer out of the water for those 30 seconds? Thanks.
 

AaronG

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
234
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

Yes, running the impeller dry will quickly ruin it, even only a couple seconds. Wait until you are in the water to start the engine. I'd also change out the impeller now that you've run it dry a few times, or at least change it out this winter.
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

I agree TOTALLY with Aaron. How old is the impeller? It may be due to be changed anyway . . .<br /><br />You can still run it before she floats off. Just have your wife back it down until the ventilation plate is covered and then start it. The boat should not go anywhere at the point that the water intakes are first completely submerged.
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

BTW, just a tip . . . You'll get some people a little cranked up if you post the same question in multiple sections. The proper place is probably the Merc/Volvo section, but this one is a very close second if not a tie for first. Oh whatever, but you get the picture. ;)
 

umblecumbuz

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Messages
1,062
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

Rinker,<br /><br />One thing I don't understand.<br />Why don't you have a line from your boat to the trailer, or throw a line to the dock?<br /><br />That'll keep your boat from floating away, and you can take your time starting the motor in the water.
 

milkyway

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 31, 2004
Messages
535
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

How about the engine water pump? I think what you need to address is why you don't have the confidence that your engine will start.
 

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

yes. doesn't seem like you're gaining much but you are risking alot.
 
M

Mod3

Guest
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

From another post.<br /><br />RinkerFamily <br />Cadet <br />Member # 51890 <br /><br /> posted July 29, 2005 11:36 AM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />What damage if any am I doing to my Merc. Alpha One I/O starting the boat on the ramp just out of the water? Typically I run the blower while we uncover the boat, take tie downs off and load the coolers and kids in the boat. I drive the trailer and back it down to the water's edge and then unhook the bow strap, hop in the back of the boat. Then I yell to my wife backing the trailer the rest of the way in to wait until I make sure the boat starts....nothing like floating off the trailer and then jacking around with getting the boat started and drifting into others. Anyway, I get the boat started and then I just yell, back her in and within 20-30 seconds the lower drive unit is in the water. Am I damaging my impeller or anything by doing this....running the enginer out of the water for those 30 seconds? Thanks. <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 13 | From: Bloomington, IN (Lake Monroe) | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />spartanpele <br />Petty Officer 3rd Class <br />Member # 61130 <br /><br /> posted July 29, 2005 12:30 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Yes... I wouldn't do that. You need that water to keep everything cool and to keep the impeller from spinning without the water. You're going to wear your impeller out faster without the water.<br /><br />I'd recommend doing it like everyone else...back it in, submerge your lower unit, then start it up. If you're having problems drifting into others, have the wife and kids hold the mooring lines while maneuvering the boat into the water.<br /><br />Everything I've ever read has said... don't run your motor unless in a body of water, tub, or muffs... <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 80 | From: midwest | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />DJ <br />Supreme Mariner <br />Member # 5471 <br /><br /> posted July 29, 2005 01:06 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />It will ruin your impeller, if it already hasn't. You are setting yourself up for a very bad day.<br /><br />--------------------<br />We're all here, because we're not all there!
 
M

Mod3

Guest
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

Moving to I/O questions.
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

if you have been doing this theres no way the pump is still good<br /><br /><br />damage starts in about 8 seconds on a dry run<br /><br /><br />tommays
 

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

I don't unhook the bow strap until I am ready for the boat to come off. What I do is back all the way into the water. Start the motor and then go forward to unhook the strap. After strap is unhooked, I will then put her in reverse and back off the trailer. I have rollers so bunks may work different.<br /><br />If worried about starting I would do it at home with the muffs before I left.<br /><br />You also need to make sure the drive is down in the trim range so you don't damage your joints..
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

What I do with my outboard is start it at home, complete with water, if it's been more than a week since I've used it. <br /><br />Then, at the ramp, I launch, then start it at the courtesy dock. I know it will start, because I started it earlier that day. Actually, it has never failed to start.
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

Seems simplier to tune up the boat so it starts with confidence (yes, you are doing damage)
 

thunderroad

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 19, 2005
Messages
417
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

I'm with CATransplant. Although mine hasn't yet failed to start, I start it on the muffs before I leave the house. At the ramp I do like most everyone else, back it in the water, start it up, have my girlfriend unhook the bow strap and park the truck/trailer while I orbit the area a little to make sure everything is good. Then she walks down the bank complaining about the rocks, the mud or the heat and we head out for a joyous day of boating.
 

jlinder

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Messages
1,086
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

I agree with starting at home. I put the muffs on and run it until the engine is at temperature.<br /><br />That way I know the battery is charged, fuel is in the lines, and the engine is still a little warm by the time I get to the ramp.<br /><br />If I have a problem in the driveway it is a lot easier to fix it there before I drive to the lake.<br /><br />At the ramp it starts up first time every time. Really cuts down on frustration and ruined days.
 

Phantom17

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 7, 2005
Messages
343
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

I run my boat on the hose in my driveway before I go out for the day. I got a peice of hose and put a spiggot in the middle of it. I can turn the hose water on and off from the back of the boat instead of going back up to the house. <br /><br />Part 2. replace your impellor, unless your looking to pay some big bucks for a tow......
 

Stinger313

Cadet
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
29
Re: Am I hurting my I/O starting it on the ramp?

I cant believe that it still pumps water after being run dry so many times.Never run the engine without water to the drive, even for a few seconds.Water lubricates the rubber inpeller in the lower unit.
 
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