i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

[scipper77]

Just took the boat out with my wife 2 sons and parents who are visiting from out of state. I wanted to see the sunset from the boat and then watch the fireworks. Well I threw the anchor and shut down the boat. When I went to restart the boat it cranked for a few seconds without starting so I pumped the throttle a few times and must have flooded it because it cranked for like 10 seconds without starting I let it sit for a little bit and when I tried to restart I got nothing. I would turn the key and not even a click.... Nothing. There was plenty of juice in the battery. All lights and accessories were functioning. I even have a fully charged spare battery I keep because I'm just that cautious.

So I called a buddy and he came out to get me with his boat. This was a major inconvenience for him to say the least. 2 hours later he was out on the lake looking for me when I tried something different. I returned the throttle to the neutral position and the boat started like nothing. I'm guessing I had the shift interrupt engaged from when I pumped the throttle to prime (flood) the carb. My biggest problem at this point is figuring out how to make this up to my friend.

 

[skargo]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

I did it today, went to start and nothing, but then I saw my button pushed in and realized what happened.

Get your buddy some cigars!

 

[j_martin]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

A Decent steak dinner goes a long way. Also gives you time to visit about all the goof ups you've both had and build the relationship.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

Put a sticker on your dash, check shifter and kill switch when motor won't start.

Being interrupted on 4th of July evening is worth a trip to Vegas.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

good news: you have a good friend that is willing to help you when in need.

bad news: he may never help you again

 

[kailec00]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

You just gave him a great present. A story he can tell to take a little jab at you.
I would not expect my friend to make it up to me, but you could always send him a gift card to his favorite restaurant.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

It sounds like you're indebted.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

I think the neutral safety switch may also give you the symptoms you experienced. No matter what it was, buy your friend a case of good beer if he likes beer or take him to dinner at a nice restaurant if he doesn't. If you value what he did enough, buy him a bottle of 12 year old single malt scotch or its equivalent in whatever he does drink.

 

[Kurt V]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

Put a sticker on your dash, check shifter and kill switch when motor won't start.

Been a few years, but I had the whole "why won't my motor start" issue. Must have spent an hour looking the motor over when I look down and see the kill switch lanyard with one end hanging from my vest and the other end just dangling in the air. Damn, I felt like such and idiot.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

Been a few years, but I had the whole "why won't my motor start" issue. Must have spent an hour looking the motor over when I look down and see the kill switch lanyard with one end hanging from my vest and the other end just dangling in the air. Damn, I felt like such and idiot.

I've never ever done that... I've just heard people talk about it.

... yeah, I'm lyin'. It happens to me fairly regularly (but not the can't figure it out part anymore... that just happend a couple of times) and is the first thing I check now, and if it's good... then I check the shifter.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

Did this last year the first outing ever in my boat. Couldn't figure out how to get the damn boat started...but I knew it started because the PO had fired it up for me. Thankfully I had been on these forums and read not to disconnect from the trailer until you KNOW the boat will start. So I just pulled it out of the lake and went home only to be made a mockery of by my dad who knew INSTANTLY what I needed to do to get her runnin.

 

[Ace52]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

Did the same thing last week my shifter looked like it was in neutral but it wasn't I just happened to barely tap it and realized it was not, yea i panicked for a few min trying to figure out why my boat wouldn't start lol

 

[RMasters]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

Ah, this can happen, I would not loose sleep over it. We all make mistakes.

I might have to make it up for a buddy. For a friend, I'll be around no matter what. If you insist as a friend, okay then, steak and cigars sound good.

Ahoy!

 

[sasto]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

That's what friends are for. I don't know of a single one that would accept anything from me. But as others have stated, treat him to something. I wouldn't do it for what my friend does for me, but I'd do it for just being my friend.

My 2 cents.

 

[scipper77]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

No cigars. He just quit smoking after 18 years or so. To you guys who say that a friend doesn't need to be repaid for being a good friend I say that only applies from there perspective. O wouldn't need to be compensated of I helped him but I still want to do something nice for him.

His boat has no functioning stern light, he uses a clamp on battery light. I could easily buy him a light and base and wire it on to his switch. He keeps his boat in a storage yard near the lake so I don't know if I could sneak in there and do the job under his nose. Is probably get arrested and inconveniance him again.

I thought about buying him and his wife a nice pair of sunglasses (she came to help also) because they only wear cheapo's. Problem is she wears glasses so she would need prescriptions sunglasses.

Maybe a gift card would work the best. Home depot because they just built a house and ironically a built house can generate more projects than an old one.

 

[whiteva]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

Feel like an idiot club?, I think I am the charter member.

Borrowed a friends boat with the new merc (it's been a while) would not start for nothing. I kept looking for the choke but thought the new engine did not require a choke. Finally my 10 year old said "Dad push in on the key" YEP, engine purred like a kitten.

As for your friend, Home depot cards are always appreciated by me!

 

[cimy3]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

I am with Scipper...needs a thank you. How about a visa gift card...can use it anywhere. Boy, that sounded like a commercial.

 

[scipper77]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

My buddy called me up a few hours ago. He wanted to know if I wanted to go fishing in the morning. I guess he is over it. I will offer to fix his stern light for him and if he won't here of it I will just buy him the home depot gift card. I am still an idiot but I am starting to feel a little better about the situation.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

If your otherwise perfectly running engine just spins without even thinking of trying to start, you're likely either in gear, disconnected the kill, or in the case of old two stroke outboards your choke isn't engaging.

 

[scipper77]

Re: i feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now.

If your otherwise perfectly running engine just spins without even thinking of trying to start, you're likely either in gear, disconnected the kill, or in the case of old two stroke outboards your choke isn't engaging.

My engine wasn't even thinking about spinning. I must have been in gear. I thought I was in neutral with the throttle engaged but apparently I was in gear.

Went fishing with my friend. He told me he wanted to buy a pair of really nice sunglasses (not knowing I want to buy him a pair). I think I will order him a pair. Probably $40-50 range. I know a place where I can get sunglasses that retail for $100 or so for the $40-50 range. Who pays retail for anything anymore anyways?