Boat Maintenance

[fishinwrench]

27 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I ran 4 days on the White and only burned 3 of 9 gallons.

Sounds like you have a good excuse to go do a bunch more fishing soon.

[snagged in outlet 3]

6 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

So unless someone talked you into installing some kind of "fuel heater" inside your fuel tank, and you drank that Kool-aid too

No I didn't.  I've heard all the nightmares about bad gas so I was doing what I've heard is best. 

As far as the smartass on Wednesday morning, I don't mind if I learn something.  I've said since the beginning I'm a newbie and it's a learning process and I'm enjoying it. 

3 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Sounds like you have a good excuse to go do a bunch more fishing soon.

I try to go every weekend.  I'll be out Saturday this weekend to burn up some more.  Since I'm new to this kind of fishing I do a lot of looking and scouting.  I'll get it dialed in.

What else do you recommend as far as maintenance? 

[fishinwrench]

4 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

What else do you recommend as far as maintenance? 

JD pretty much covered it.

On your jet you need to hit that grease zert every time you pull back into your driveway.  Yeah I know it's "zerk" but all the mechanics who I looked up to all my life said "zert", so I say it that way out of respect. 

If you keep the boat in a garage then remove the cowling and let things dry out under there, and blow out any dead bugs or other crap that has collected in the lower cowling.   If you see anything that looks like a piece of broken plastic or a bushing of some kind.....find out what it is and where it came from.   Any bolts, nuts, or washers laying in there? Find out where they came from. 

If you smell fuel or see fuel puddled anywhere under the cowling close your eyes and give the primer bulb a few hard squeezes to see if fuel squirts or oozes out anywhere.  If it does... get it fixed ASAP. (close your eyes because if there's a leak there is a 80% chance that it will hit you right in the face....they love to do that).

Water pumps on jet pumps need service twice as often as prop lowers.  Don't play games with THAT because even if you're in a warranty period the warranty is void if the motor suffers an overheat.

On your 4-stroke POS you'll wanna check your engine oil kinda frequently.  If it's low add some, if it's getting dark, change it, if oil level is HIGH your in trouble....check your bank balance and give your favorite outboard tech a call  (Actually, no, don't tell anybody, just sell it quick while it's still running, and go buy a new motor).

Battery(s):.  Keep them charged up and clean, make sure terminal connections are clean & tight (use a wrench or pliers, not your fingers).  Buy a new cranking battery every 2 years regardless of how good you think it still is (cheap insurance against ignition/charging system problems).  

What else can we talk about here?  Feel like pulling the foot and inspecting/tuning the jet impeller?

 

[KLiK]

Not sure if much has changed with modern outboards but in regards to winterizing, all we used to do is disconnect the fuel line and let the motor idle until it ran out of fuel, drain the lower unit and lubricate to ensure there's no water, pull the batteries and store in the garage on a battery tender. For the boat itself give it a good cleaning, install a water tight cover with supports so water cannot puddle on the cover, remove the plug and raise the bow so all water can flow out the drain hole. For the trailer bearing buddies are your best friend. 

At the start of next season pull the covers off the motor and visually inspect everything, fill the tank with fresh gas and always make sure you have water flow.

[fishinwrench]

Don't run an EFI/DFI outboard out of fuel if you can keep from doing it. Introducing air into the high pressure fuel pump while it is running is not advisable.  It overruns and overheats real fast if it is not submerged in fuel.

[KLiK]

40 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Don't run an EFI/DFI outboard out of fuel if you can keep from doing it. Introducing air into the high pressure fuel pump while it is running is not advisable.  It overruns and overheats real fast if it is not submerged in fuel.

Good point and thank you, I should of known better but wasn't thinking about it being FI.  Believe the last outboard I had was '68 Merc!

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I guess I'm good to go on those Wrench.  I've been lubing my zert since day one.  I always inspect oil and under cowl.  I inspected my impeller a while back when I put on a whale tail.  I've always maintained my battries. 

I want to put a permanent trickle charger on my cranking motor.  What do you think of that?

Thanks for the advice!  I like having my boat in the garage, I like to tinker. 

I like that you have a job that you can help people that enjoy the same hobby as you do.  I don't have that.

[fishinwrench]

4 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

 

I like that you have a job that you can help people that enjoy the same hobby as you do.  I don't have that.

I like that too. My wife asked "Don't you ever get burnt out talking about boats and fishing?"

Hasn't happened yet.   

I've heard horror stories about barns and houses burning down because of battery chargers left on, and the motorcycle shop up the road burnt down just last year because of a battery charger left on a 4-wheeler overnight so I don't do it anymore.   

[snagged in outlet 3]

10-4 new battry every two years. 

My battery’s were way low on water brand new. 

[jdmidwest]

I personally charge the batteries after each trip then check before I head out.  I never trickle charge, constant charging can wear a battery down faster and burn up electrolytes faster than letting it sit.  If it sits for a while, I always go out every month and refresh.  My main battery always seems to have ghost useage somewhere in the system as it drains 15% and the trolling battery stays full.  Probably electronics on the motor?

Most new chargers and onboards are computer controlled, they are supposed to shut off until the battery needs charged again.  I assume it works that way.  My portable charger shuts off at 100%.  Many chargers don't have this feature.  You have to check the specs on the one you have.