Starting boat out of water

[sti1471]

I have a mercury 80 engine. I went down to the store and bought some "muffs" that hook up to the Garden hose and started the motor using that setup.

However, I bought the boat from a guy, and I have not had it out on the water yet. The engine starts and idles fine, but it has not been on the water since last year.

My question is, can I start the motor and either run the prop to test throttle, or increase the rev in neutral with the no-gear button using the Muffs with the garden hose, or will the hurt the engine with cooling or not enough water?

My fear is that I unload the boat and when I get on the water I put it in drive and it dies out. I want to be able to test the motor a little before it is in the water since it is mainly my fishing boat, and I go fishing alone, I don't want to miss the best time for fishing messing with my boat clogging up the docks.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Starting boat out of water

You can rev it a bit (stay under 3K) on the flusher, however, without any load on the motor, you really haven't tested anything. it can sound fine on the flusher and not even start when you put it in the water.


I recomend you plan for a water test. No kids and no expectations. Just drop her in and see how she behaves. Stay around the dock for the first 20 minutes, and then go from there.

 

[charlie741]

Re: Starting boat out of water

I agree with Chris1956, without backpressure and load there are no guarantees. I've read countless posts of muffs or barrell tests working great only to find problems in the water. You need to do what he said and lake test, and take a buddy in case it doesn't work out for the best.

 

[sti1471]

Re: Starting boat out of water

Yeah that is what I will do.

I just wante dot make sure that everything seemed good, but it does make sence for the water to make a difference.

Once side note,

I only turned the boat on for about 3 minutes the other night, and it was dark outside, but I was more concerned with the engine starting in general, but when i have the muffs hooked up, and I start the motor in neutral, should I see water being spit out from the water pump? If so, does it take a few minutes to work water up to the spit pipe, and where would the spit pipe be located usually.

The last owner said he replaced the water pump for routine maint, so it should be working.