Boat start up before I leave home

[Kendle]

Hi guys,I plan on going fishing Saturday and I have a 2 hour drive to the fishing spot.if I start my boat at home,how long should I let it run so I can have a easy start up at the dock?and also should I pump the bulb again at the dock?this is my first boat.I have a mercury force 120 outboard

 

[robert graham]

Start it up at home...then when you get to the ramp prime bulb again just to be sure....motor should start right up...

 

[ondarvr]

You only need to start it for a few seconds to ensure it runs, running it longer isn't going to help. Pumping the bulb is done whenever it's needed, doing it when it's not needed does nothing, and is of no harm, so it doesn't matter what you do.

 

[Newbie@boats]

Doesn't seem you're to confident in your boat.....

I'd take mine 2 hours without starting it before leaving....

I'd work any kinks out (if you have any) before trecking 2 hours for disappointment

 

[Alumarine]

Make sure you use a water supply with muffs when you start it in the driveway.
Never let it run dry.

 

[Kendle]

Thanks guys

 

[thumpar]

I start mine before every outing. It usually runs for about 10 minutes while I get other things ready. Once I launch and found the battery completely dead. It had been on a float charger that went bad.

 

[oldjeep]

If I was so scared that my boat wouldn't start that I was pre-starting it at home then I'd fix the boat.

 

[UtahBoating]

If I was so scared that my boat wouldn't start that I was pre-starting it at home then I'd fix the boat.

This!

 

[WIMUSKY]

I start mine before every outing. It usually runs for about 10 minutes while I get other things ready. Once I launch and found the battery completely dead. It had been on a float charger that went bad.

Me too. But I shut it off as soon as it starts. There is still residual water in the pump. No, I don't muff it. Electrical problems can pop up at any time. That's why I start it.....

 

[tlombard]

OP never said they were scared that it might not start. Personally I think it is wise to at least try and start the boat before making a 2 hour trip each way which could turn into a four hour round trip with nothing but frustration should something not work right.

We're talking about boats here. Stuff happens so why just naturally assume that the OP has a piece of junk that they're worried about and not just figure they're trying to be smart and safe with things?

 

[WIMUSKY]

OP never said they were scared that it might not start. Personally I think it is wise to at least try and start the boat before making a 2 hour trip each way which could turn into a four hour round trip with nothing but frustration should something not work right.

We're talking about boats here. Stuff happens so why just naturally assume that the OP has a piece of junk that they're worried about and not just figure they're trying to be smart and safe with things?

Spot on......

 

[garbageguy]

I think that's a good idea. Suggest running it long enough to get to, and hold at, normal operating temperature - on muffs. Idle speed. Then you'll know it should start, and shouldn't overheat. May or may not need to squeeze bulb again. Once you get more used to your boat, you'll know its tendencies.

 

[dlngr]

The ONE time I left home without starting mine first,I found out I had a dead battery-on the ramp.

 

[oldjeep]

OP never said they were scared that it might not start. Personally I think it is wise to at least try and start the boat before making a 2 hour trip each way which could turn into a four hour round trip with nothing but frustration should something not work right.

We're talking about boats here. Stuff happens so why just naturally assume that the OP has a piece of junk that they're worried about and not just figure they're trying to be smart and safe with things?

Do you run out to the driveway and prestart your car 2 hours before you go somewhere just to make sure it starts?

 

[robert graham]

Years ago one of the grandchildren had sneaked up into my boat and turned some instrument lights on several days before a trip to Florida....at the ramp the battery was so dead I had to buy a new one....lesson learned....start motor before leaving...

 

[jkust]

Back in the days when I used to trailer a boat, I saw it happen a number of times when the guy putting his boat in couldn't start it and just sat and hogged the ramp while the people in line to go and to pull out waited. Most of the lakes have a single lane ramp and it just throws a wrench in. For the sake of the rest of the boaters, I would absolutely encourage someone with an old carbed engine to start it up ahead of time. So fantastically many rude people out there, I'm happy to see someone trying to not be one of them to the best of their ability right, wrong or indifferent.

 

[gddavid]

Do you run out to the driveway and prestart your car 2 hours before you go somewhere just to make sure it starts?

I don't but then again my car was mass produced in numbers far exceeding my boat with countless more RDT&E investment (yes most base engines in boats are very popular but what generally fails is the marinized parts or the electrical components installed by the boat manufacturer), if you have ever rebuilt a boat you would likely be surprised by some sloppy assembly work hidden somewhere out of sight, even on high end brands. I run my car most every day so the hasn't been sitting idle, the gas is newer, my car is fuel injected versus my carbureted boat which has gas evaporating in the carb leaving a varnish slowly building up over time. Boats live in harsh environments and infrequent use can be very tough on mechanical components.

When I am using my boat frequently during the season I don't crank it up at home but if I haven't used it in a month I like to start it up before bothering to pack up all of the supplies and load my wife and 3 children into the car. I don't fault anyone who takes a well maintained boat to the ramp without test running it first but I certainly would not chastise some guy for ensuring (or doing the best he can to ensure) his boat will start up. I think we have all waited at a ramp while someone is struggling to start up their boat.

 

[MRS]

Always smart to start at home before a trip. Once went on a 200 mile trip we do all the time boat started good at home but at the ramp nothing the starter solenoid went out always leave the bow strap hooked up when starting at the ramp incase something go's wrong. I pulled out went to auto parts fixed in parking lot was good to go.
Plus and other time same ramp the started went out on my truck luck it was on a Monday and mil lives close by called her and she brought me a starter. Stuff can happen so cannot be to prepared. Have fun on your trip...

 

[dlngr]

old jeep,I like oranges better than I like apples.