Best practice using "ear muffs"

[DrDim]

I have an Evinrude 60 hp outboard with a warm up lever / fast idle and before launching it in water I will test start it with the flushing device commonly called "ear muffs". I know that your are only supposed to run the boat in neutral with them attached, what I don't know is reving with warm up lever / fast idle lever. The normal startup procedure is to have the lever at about 2/3 of max and let it run with that until the engine is warm enough for the slowest idle. But this is for when you start it in water, so my question is it OK to do this with ear muffs or should you not raise the lever? Should it be raised and immediately lowered after started?

 

[GA_Boater]

Running on muffs you should only use enough warm up lever to get her started and lower to normal idle when the motor will idle on it's own. That's how I do it the few times I use muffs.

 

[eavega]

I know that your are only supposed to run the boat in neutral with them attached,

Really? I've always thought that there is no problem putting motor in gear (forward or reverse) as long as you are 1. Aware of the spinning prop, and 2. Not revving the engine over 1500 RPM. Basically you are not supposed to run a motor on muffs much above idle...

E

 

[R055]

Really? I've always thought that there is no problem putting motor in gear (forward or reverse) as long as you are 1. Aware of the spinning prop, and 2. Not revving the engine over 1500 RPM. Basically you are not supposed to run a motor on muffs much above idle...

E

Should be alright just remember to shift fast into gear and drive down.

 

[airshot]

I frequently check my boat on muffs to be sure all is good before heading to the ramp. Especially in the spring to make sure all is in working order. You don't want to run your boat above fast idle for any period of time on muffs as the water flow thru the muffs may not be able to keep up with the water demand of your engine. I always move from forward to reverse and a brief burst of throttle to be sure all is in proper working order. Just have to play extremely close attention to who may be around that spinning prop. Some years back a friend did a similar check and made sure no people were around before putting it in gear, however he never thought about his dog back there biting at the water coming out. Dog was Ok but almost hurt him bad. Got to be on the lookout, I normally have my wife or grandson watching from outside the boat to be sure no one can come by the spinning prop.