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!