Buzz
Embarking on a boating adventure is a thrilling experience, best enjoyed with companions who share your excitement—provided someone knows how to kickstart that outboard engine. Despite its intricate appearance, igniting the engine is a straightforward process, easily graspable by novices. Thus, we present a concise manual on commencing (and halting) an outboard motorized vessel, whether manual or electric start. If you're eager to helm your vessel and navigate the open waters, read on!
Procedure
Unlock the air intake valve on the fuel reservoir.
Rotate the air intake valve to admit air into the reservoir while the fuel drains. This precautionary measure prevents the formation of a vacuum within the reservoir during engine operation, which could potentially harm either the tank or the engine. Typically, the valve is a small button on the fuel cap that twists to open and close.
- Ensure the air intake valve remains closed when the vessel is inactive.
- Upon opening the valve, take a moment to verify fuel levels and inspect the reservoir for any debris.
- If your tank is self-ventilating, this step can be omitted.
Submerge the motor into the water.
Lower the motor until the propellers are fully immersed. On smaller vessels, adjust the motor's tilt by releasing a pin on the motor bracket and manually lowering it. Many boats are also equipped with a mechanical up/down switch on the gear shift.
- Submerging the motor enhances safety for all onboard in case of unexpected motor activation.
- Lowering the motor also facilitates easier fuel access to the carburetors.
Activate the safety cutoff on manual ignition motors.
The safety cutoff typically consists of a lanyard with a metal clip. Secure one end of the lanyard to your wrist, belt loop, or life jacket. Attach the other end to the safety cutoff knob, usually located on the front of the motor's exterior casing. If you accidentally fall into the water, the connection breaks, and the motor immediately ceases operation.
- The motor will not start without the safety cutoff, as it completes the necessary electrical circuit for operation.
- Safety cutoffs provide protection by halting the vessel in case of someone falling overboard due to waves, collision with an object, or mishandling of the boat.
- For electric ignition motors, the safety cutoff is represented by the ignition key.
Press the primer bulb.
Prime the bulb by pumping it several times to introduce fuel into the motor. You'll notice readiness when the bulb becomes firm and the inline filter is filled with fuel. Afterward, inspect the fuel line connections for any leaks. Be cautious not to over-pump, as this may flood the motor.
- If the motor fails to start and you detect a gas odor, it may be flooded. In such cases, wait at least 5 minutes for some fuel to return to the tank before attempting to restart the motor.
- If the issue persists, shift to neutral, open the throttle, and crank the engine. This technique is known as a clear-flood start.
Position the gear shift lever in neutral.
Ensure the gear shift is always in neutral before starting the motor. This prevents sudden movements of the boat upon ignition. The design of the shift lever varies among boats—many feature a vertical lever with neutral at the upright position, while others utilize handles on the tiller that twist for forward, neutral, or reverse.
Activate the choke.
Engage the choke button or lever, depending on your motor's model. The choke regulates airflow to the carburetor, enriching the air with fuel and facilitating motor ignition in cold temperatures. Allow the choke to remain active for a few moments before pulling the starter cord.
- If equipped with a choke lever, look for a switch labeled 'open' and 'close.' Alternatively, the choke may be a small button located on the motor's front.
- Some electric start motors feature a choke switch similar to manual ignition motors, while others activate the automatic choke by inserting the key deeper into the ignition.
- If the engine is warm, the choke may not be necessary for starting unless repeated attempts to pull the starter cord fail to ignite the engine.
Initiate the ignition.
Activate the motor by pulling the starter cord or turning the key. If using a starter cord, pull slowly until resistance is felt, then swiftly and firmly yank it. It may require multiple pulls to start the motor. For electric start motors, simply turn the key forward in the ignition, similar to starting a car.
Disable the choke.
After the motor has started, deactivate the choke before driving. Press the choke button again or return the choke lever to its initial position. Driving with the choke engaged can result in excessive fuel intake, potentially flooding the engine and fouling the spark plugs, leading to motor damage and necessitating repairs.
- If your electric start motor has an automatic choke, return the key to its normal position to disengage the choke.
- Once the choke is off and the motor is running, you're ready to navigate!
Engage forward or reverse to maneuver the boat.
Set the gear to move forward for cruising or backward for maneuvering out of a slip. When reversing, ensure there are no obstacles or individuals behind you. Initiate movement slowly and gradually increase throttle to reach your desired speed.
- If your boat is equipped with a steering wheel, steer it akin to a car. In case of a tiller, remember that pushing it left will steer you to the right, and vice versa.
- While cruising, adjust the trim to raise or lower the boat's bow as desired.
Direct the boat toward your intended stopping point.
Align the boat's bow with your destination to initiate stopping. Steering control diminishes as you decelerate, so ensure correct alignment with your intended direction. Exercise caution to avoid any individuals, objects, or docks in your path.
- Although there's no braking mechanism, shifting to neutral or cutting the engine will result in rapid deceleration.
Return to neutral gear.
Transition your gear shift to neutral to halt movement. It's advisable to engage neutral earlier than anticipated to prevent overshooting your target. In case of undershooting, briefly shift to forward to make minor adjustments.
- Avoid direct shifting between forward and reverse gears, as this may cause mechanical damage to your boat.
Shut down the engine.
When you've reached your final position, deactivate the motor. On most models, there will be a red stop button—simply press it to halt the engine. For electric start motors, turn the key back and remove it from the ignition.
Secure the ventilation cap and raise the motor.
Follow these instructions when docking or concluding your boating session. Seal the ventilation cap on the fuel tank to prevent gas evaporation or excess air intake. Then, adjust the trim to elevate the motor, ensuring the propeller blades are lifted out of the water.
Pointers
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These steps apply to both 2-stroke and 4-stroke motors.
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If your motor has been idle for an extended period, consider testing it outside of water before use.
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Regularly maintain your outboard motor for optimal performance during both boating and storage seasons.
