seasprite that hates the water

kickstart

Recruit
Joined
Aug 20, 2004
Messages
1
i inheareted a 1984 seasprite with a 120 merc. lots of rotted wood so im restoring the boat in the memory of my cousin that owned it. when he had it the motor would start on dry land but take to the lake and it just turned over and would not start. pulled it from the water and went home ,tryed starting in the driveway and it fired right up poor guy did this trip 3 times before he gave up and decided to refinish the serface then he would work on the motor problem. my question is what would make it not start in the water but start on dry land this my first boat and i have no clues thanks in advance
 

Blk-n-Blu

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 12, 2004
Messages
821
Re: seasprite that hates the water

First thing would be to check the tune-up specs and all components especially the points rotor and condenser / cap. Timing should be checked after the points are changed. Run the motor on fresh gas and change the fuel filters especially the one in the carb where the fuel line attaches,under the big nut, here are some specs;<br /> http://www.marinemechanic.com/specs/mc-ole-inline.htm <br />click on this link and Welcome aboard I boats
 

qaztwo

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2004
Messages
384
Re: seasprite that hates the water

when on the ramp is the boat pitched up at a steeper angle then in the driveway. If so can that angle be matched in the driveway. The fact that it still starts on land would lead me to believe that it is a fuel problem, maybe the carb float, or some other thing affecting the flow of fuel to the carb. Although new plugs, points and timming never hurt either. next time you are on the ramp and it will not start try dumping a small amount of gas down the carb if it fires up you know its fuel. <br />good luck
 
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