Cranking your outboard before heading to the lake

[Sheamus Walsh]

How many of you guys crank up your outboards before heading to the lake i know I have to

[gim]

Not a great idea considering outboard motors are water cooled and a dry start would lack water through the intake. Unless of course you’re using one of those intake flusher things with a hose...

[Born 2 fish]

Quick way to ruin your impeller if your not running water through it.

[Sheamus Walsh]

4 minutes ago, Born 2 fish said:

Quick way to ruin your impeller if your not running water through it.

True but growing up in Jacksonville Florida i have seen guys that need their mouths wash out with soap because their outboards won't start

[Way2slow]

If you are dry starting it, why not go ahead a pay to have the cranking problem fixed while they are replacing the water pump.  The friction from Just of few seconds on a dry motor can melt an impeller.  If it has a plastic housing, you will be replacing the whole kit, not just the impeller. 

Running a dry motor, very dump idea. 

To answer your question, I never do.  I've been dumping boats in the water since the early 60's and I've never had one that did not start.  I guess that's because I keep a good battery and maintain my motor.

[RoLo]

 

If you have to run your outboard motor on the trailer, attach a Flushette over the shaft intake.

Use a moderate flow on your garden hose, and keep the RPMs low.

Without a water pump impeller, you won't be going very far without overheating.

 

Roger

[jbsoonerfan]

In cold weather, I hook the muffs on and turn the water on and start it before I head to the lake. Since it is a 2 stroke I mainly do so to get it warmed up a little bit so I am not sitting on the ramp and possibly keeping someone waiting.

[Guitarfish]

I don't think the OP said a thing about dry starting.  He asked if you start the motor at home before taking it to the fishing hole.  If he starts it every time prior he must be using the muffs or he would be asking about water pump kits.

 

In answer,  yes.  I do start my motor prior to any trip.  I want to be sure it sounds good, cranks properly, etc.  Just makes sense to me.

 

 

[Jig Man]

I haven’t even considered doing that.  I take my boat in every fall have the fluids changed and the motor, boat and trailer inspected.  I can’t even remember the last time I had a motor that wouldn’t start.

[king fisher]

Conventional wisdom is never dry start a motor even for a second.  I personally subscribe to this advise, and have not or will not dry start.

    That said, I spent a winter on the East Cape of Baja fishing a few years ago.  Every day the charter captains would not only start their engines out of the water before launching them in the surf, but would put them in gear, and run them full throttle before pushing them in the water.  I would cringe and had a hard time keeping my mouth shut, but did not witness a single water pump failure during the six months I was there.  

    Of course if the OP was referring to running his motor with ears, or hooked to a hose, than why not?  Probably not necessary but can't hurt.

[Way2slow]

From his second post, it makes it sound like he might be starting it dry.

 

I couldn't count the times I've seen people dry start their motors at the ramp, just before launching.  The bulk of these people are older people with older boats and tiller motors, but every now and then, you see one pull up with a newer boat/motor and fire it up before launching.  Crappie fishermen seem to be the worst about it. 

[Herbert Lorenzo]

Yes , always . Makes life easier . I also grease the bearings a lot more often than most .

[TnRiver46]

I’ve accidentally started mine several times with the foot up out of the water. I’m not recommending it, but I’ve done it. I fish shallow rivers and need the foot up while fishing. I busted a whole gear case while floating down river casting one time because the motor was about halfway down. Just make sure your boat is peeing every single time before you hammer down

[Shimano_1]

I've started mine a time or 2 but definitely not good practice regardless of who says it is. Ive had some cold natured 2 strokes in the past but never felt the need to do this. Just drop it in the water and start it. If its hard to start theres likely an issue that needs addressed. 

[kjfishman]

I don't get out enough to have confidence it will start so I hook  the water mufffs up the evening before to make sure it is going to start.  Was going out last week and hooked the muffs up and had trouble starting and the controller broke again so had to go out in my buddies boat instead. 

[MickD]

If your motor won't start instantly every time on the water, find out why and get it fixed.  

[Teal]

Put muffs on and let it run with water.  It doesn't hurt it as long as there's water running.  

[Junk Fisherman]

I will start mine in the driveway with muffs and water flowing early in the season if the boat has sat for a couple months.  But during the season, I never start it until I get to the lake.  Now, my 9.9 that I use a couple times a year I will start it up the day before a trip to make sure it is running well.  

[Mbirdsley]

If I’m messing around with the electrical or battery I may hit the key for a second just to hear the starter crank.  I don’t fire the motor up though.  With an out board there is no need to crank it after use even in freezing weather.  The water will drain out on its own.

 

beginning of the year After setting from 3-6 months I start it on the trailer.  My current  boat will need muffs to do that.  My little 9.8 I had I could Not use muffs As the intake was above the prop facing down. so I just filled a up big garbage can with water and let it run in there. 
 

if you constantly worried if your motor will start or not each time at the ramp.  There is a problem!!!!   You need to either fix the problem your self or take it somebody.  What good is having a boat if it’s a 50/50 shot of it firing up. What happens if it does not re fire on the lake or on a river? 
 

 

in Michigan waiting for a 2 stroke or older 4 stroke to warm up in cold weather after launching is just part of the game.  Nobody says anything unless your screwing around 

[boostr]

I do it when It sits awhile between outings (with muffs), but if I use it every other week I don't. I might blip it just to make sure the starter works.

On 8/22/2020 at 10:22 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve accidentally started mine several times with the foot up out of the water. I’m not recommending it, but I’ve done it. 

Iv'e done that a few times, but there is still water in the system when it does happen. I'll either shut off the motor or just trim down.

[Bankc]

I have never been able to afford a new boat, so I have always hooked up the muffs and started up my boat the day before.  And if I'm planning a long trip, or the boat has sat for a while, then I usually do it a week or two before to give me time for repairs and/or ordering parts.  Every boat I've owned has broken down on me at least once every two years, if not more.  Often times it's a minor repair.  Sometimes it's major.  But it's always easier and a whole lot less frustrating to deal with it at home where the tools are.

[J Francho]

On 8/21/2020 at 9:51 PM, Sheamus Walsh said:

How many of you guys crank up your outboards before heading to the lake i know I have to

Why do you have to?  What are you confirming?

[Guitarfish]

Obvious answer is he's confirming it will start.  You guys that fish all the time or have newer motors can drop it already.  Us guys with the old motors like to check every thing is good before going.  Some two strokes are fussier than others.

[gim]

Bottom line, every outboard is cooled by water.  Running it without water causes it to over heat.  If you start it before you get to the lake, use a hose with muffs.  Otherwise don't run it without water running through it.

[BigAngus752]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

Why do you have to?  What are you confirming?

That his impeller has to be replaced.