Op test before going out

[Art Bernard]

I see allot of posts here that go something like "got to the lake and this or that dosen't work". I'm going to recomend a little common sense and say, why don't you op-test before you go? Seriously, I always put the ears on the motor and run it, check tilt trim, flick all the switches, etc.. before I head out. It keeps the nasty surprises down to a minimum and just makes good sense to me and really dosen't take much time to do. What do yall think?

Art

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Op test before going out

EH testing is for people with only one engine LOL

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Op test before going out

Can't always run the motor at 4am in the suburbs, but an op-check on the muffs the evening before is always on the checklist.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Op test before going out

because all boating situations are not like yours. I leave 2 boats an hour and a half away, on trailers at a private ramp. no testing them. And I have arrived to find myself stranded.

for those of us that keep one in the water, testing is seldom necessary and not always productive, time-wise.

Depending on the boat, there are dozens of things that can go wrong, so testing them all is not often a good use of time. I don't test my running lights, for example. If a bulb goes out, I have a spare. For my less reliable boats, I carry a hand-held. Worst case i can tie a flashlight up there.

Also, there are plenty of things that you can test that work fine and 15 minutes later, don't.

Some things you can't test on the trailer. Your motor might start but you can't test it under a load or at high RPM's. Your bilge pump may sound like it's working, but are you going to fill your bilge up with water to know for sure?

A newer, more reliable boat, I would take my chances. An older cantankerous boat, or one that hasn't been run a while, I'd be more likely to test if I can.

Recommending a test is fine; saying it's "a little common sense" is being smug.

 

[444]

Re: Op test before going out

Some things you can't test on the trailer. Your motor might start but you can't test it under a load or at high RPM's. Your bilge pump may sound like it's working, but are you going to fill your bilge up with water to know for sure?

Yup, I and many others on here have run into this one. Runs great on the muffs, not so great once you dump it in the water.

 

[BosnBill]

Re: Op test before going out

I'm with Art on this one. At the beginning of the season I check all the systems to be sure everything is running as it should. I spend a lot of time on the water and can fix a lot as I go; the boat is loaded with tools and spare parts. But, I want to take care of as much of the maintenance and prep I can before boating is in full swing; I don't want to spend my passion on the water fixing things.

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: Op test before going out

Smug? I don't think so Smart? Yes Sure, you can't test your engine under load, but you sure can see if it's going to start and idle. Lol, If I hadn't went out and done my pre trip stuff I would have been out on the water today and possably ruined my lower unit. While doing my inspection I noticed oil comming from behind the prop so I inspected the gear oil. Lots of water so I posted here for some info and wound up taking it to the shop. Glad my pre-trip caught that or I may facing major repairs instead of just shaft seals. For those who don't take the time to look over their boat before going out, well, hope ya got sea tow, you might need it.

Art

 

[cribber]

Re: Op test before going out

I always run my boat up on muffs in the driveway to warm the engine and check things over before heading out. Thing is I'm only 5 miles from the ramp so we're ready to hit it as soon as the boat hits the water. My engine needs a good 4-5 minutes idle time from cold to warm up... otherwise it tends to stall if you try to throttle up when the electric choke engaged.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Op test before going out

yeah I had to drive into town to get some soda so I went out and started the truck for a couple minutes and shut it off so it would be trustworthy to start it up and drive in to town a few minutes later..... I'm very happy for you that you caught a possibly expensive problem with your outdrive but stop looking down your nose.... it shows off your bugers

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Op test before going out

Of course you check out what makes sense. But all boater's situations are different; that's my point. A guy having problems on the water isn't necessarily stupid, lazy, or lacking common sense; it may just be that he has a boat instead of golf clubs.

Smug? I don't think so Smart? Yes Sure, you can't test your engine under load, but you sure can see if it's going to start and idle. Lol, If I hadn't went out and done my pre trip stuff I would have been out on the water today and possably ruined my lower unit. While doing my inspection I noticed oil comming from behind the prop so I inspected the gear oil. Lots of water so I posted here for some info and wound up taking it to the shop. Glad my pre-trip caught that or I may facing major repairs instead of just shaft seals. For those who don't take the time to look over their boat before going out, well, hope ya got sea tow, you might need it.

Art

 

[ziggy]

Re: Op test before going out

as a trailer boater. i do about like ab says. i check it out prior to going out. i start it, i check the oil. i check the nav. lights (yes i have spare bulbs on board), i trim up from down. lateeda. generally i've had good luck doing this. but i can think of at least one time i was still sol when i got to the river. boat worked at home. didn't at the ramp. turned out to be a broken t fitting for fuel that got broke during loading of my boat (day gear), which takes place after i think the boats gonna work. ya just can't for see every scenario. most, yes, but not all.
i think it's a good idea to give everything a check prior to going out. best you can anyways. but ya gotta consider that murphy is still lurking just around the corner.

if i didn't have a trailer boat. my pre trip check list might change to fit the need.

as for the 'common sense' part of this thread. i'd change them words to 'it's a good idea' so as to not ruffle feathers of others... my guess is ab wasn't trying to be better than others, he was just saying pm is a good idea... which it is. especially with a boat.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Op test before going out

i pulled a guy off the water last fall went out was having fun all of a sudden his temp gauge went red hot luckily he shut it off before damage. i was on my way back in and towed him then once i shore, he tried to pay me i refused to take it and said if i ever needed a tow i would hope some one would do the same. his problem was impellor you cant really check that unless you pull tools out to look at it every time which would be time consuming. i do agree with visual imspection and possibly starting it if its not to much trouble, to get a hose out.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Op test before going out

On a boat that is used often, I'd say regular preventative maintenance is more important than just checking things before heading out. Batteries, oil, lube, impellers, spark plugs, etc are cheap to replace periodically - but can ruin a day in a hurry if neglected. Sometimes I hook up the hose and fire it up before a trip, but most of the time I don't as I have looked it over recently.

Now I will say, it's not the best move to head out to go duck hunting at 3:30 am, get to the ramp an hour later and find out the motor (which hasn't been started since the previous season) doesn't want to start. Even the dog gets ticked off at that maneuver!