Prestart checklist?

[erkoehler]

I am making a list for my brothers club of things that the drivers should check/do before starting there boats each day. From the time they uncover the boats, I need to give them a checklist! Help me out, what do you guys do.....

[bradamerry]

GAS---------Jackets--------Farmer!!!!! :dance:

[rodltg2]

mixture in
gas on
primer 3 times
clear the area
start
set pp.

[T Scott]

Check Plug

Check oil

Check tranny fluid

Run blower and/or open engine compartment to properly ventilate

Allow boat to warm up to operating temp before giving heavy throttle.

Once started, constantly monitor oil pressure and temp.

[JEREMY79]

put engine back together :(

[erkoehler]

put engine back together :(

You got to get on that already!

[erkoehler]

Check Plug

Check oil

Check tranny fluid

Run blower and/or open engine compartment to properly ventilate

Allow boat to warm up to operating temp before giving heavy throttle.

Once started, constantly monitor oil pressure and temp.


How long do you run the blower prior to startup?

[JimN]

There's a list in the owner's manual. Check oil cooler is definitely one major thing to do in weedy water.

[Lance]

I think the owners manual says you should run the blower for 3-5 minutes before starting. Lifting the cover to let it air out a little is probably an even better idea when starting for the first time for the day. There are some people on this forum that don't bother to turn the blower off once they have started the boat just to be on the safe side (instead of remembering [and taking the time] when you restard during the day).

[JimN]

If you have a manual and look at the section for routine maintenance, it shows what to do before running it, 25 hours, 50 hours, 100 hours. It's on the same page.

If someone has a manual that they can scan and post, that would be a big help.

[Leroy]

Check water level in bilge, drain if on lift.

Make sure bilge pump is on auto.

Like T Scott says and note level all gauges should stabilize at or the range they run from idle to ski speed.

[erkoehler]

Does it harm the blower to just leave it on?

[sfitzgerald351]

Does it harm the blower to just leave it on?

Nope... the blower is just a big fan... nothing special and only about $30 to replace when it quits. The one of my parents boat ran for 14 years before needing to be replaced.

I run my blower 3-5 minutes before starting the boat up and then keep it on until I get up to speed and the wind into the air vents can take over.

If you have ever seen a boat blow up from fuel vapors you'll run the blower religiously! :eek: It's not a pretty sight to see and it's no like flipping the blower switch to on takes much effort.

[erkoehler]

Well, that will be number one on the list then!

[Tennesseeski]

I always check to make sure the kill switch is working. I know alot of people never clip it on there jacket but it shouldn't be overlooked. It is good to check the condition of the clip that holds the button down. I found out after an hour of working on the boat one hot august day that when the clip gets weak it can let the button out enough to not let the motor start :mad: . I was glad that was the problem and it was an easy fix, but had I looked at the clip I would have seen that it was about to break. :twocents:

[JimN]

Actually, blowers don't usually like being left on. They don't have much of a bearing and can freeze up if left on for too long. If someone has a habit of leaving it on and it fails, there is a device called a pulse stretcher that works off of a momentary contact switch, then it stays on for whatever length of time desired(it's adjustable). They're used for auto security systems. If anybody can't find one and knows an electrical engineer, this uses a TI 555 chip and is a common timer circuit. A relay needs to be wired to the hot lead to the blower to supply voltage while the timer is active.

[sfitzgerald351]

Okay, I guess I stand corrected on letting the blower run for a long time... Cool idea on the blower timer. You need it for 5 minutes before you fire up the engine and can turn it off once you get enough speed to have air venting the engine compartment from the deck vents. I only know that on my folks boat and my boat we occasionally forget to turn the thing off after we get going and on Tahoe you can run for a good couple of hours before you slow down again and realize you left it on. We never experienced any issues until the bearings started to get noisy after 14 years.

Still, between leaving it on accidently too long and not using it... I'd USE IT. I've seen one boat blow and the aftermatch of a couple of others and it's a pretty awful sight.

[erkoehler]

Got it, cover loose, blower on, cover stowed away, blower still on, lower lift, blower still on, boat floating freely, start boat, back off of lift, idle to ski area, BLOWER OFF!

[east tx skier]

mixture in
gas on
primer 3 times
clear the area
start
set pp.

You forgot "carb heat" off and magneto test. You're probably fuel injected though. How long you been flying?

[tex]

ice down beer.

[east tx skier]

If someone has a manual that they can scan and post, that would be a big help.

I have two manuals (1998 and 1991-1993) scanned and saved as .pdf. Is it possible to remove a page with acrobat reader? I don't have full acrobat at the office.

These have been emailed to MC to put in the download section. Imagine what that could save them on postage.

[aprgriggs]

I think the owners manual says you should run the blower for 3-5 minutes before starting. Lifting the cover to let it air out a little is probably an even better idea when starting for the first time for the day. There are some people on this forum that don't bother to turn the blower off once they have started the boat just to be on the safe side (instead of remembering [and taking the time] when you restard during the day).

3 to 5 minutes....is that really necessary?

[east tx skier]

Got it, cover loose, blower on, cover stowed away, blower still on, lower lift, blower still on, boat floating freely, start boat, back off of lift, idle to ski area, BLOWER OFF!

Lifting the engine box on that first startup is a good idea. Every bit of ventilation helps.

[6ballsisall]

Lift it and light a match! Just Kidding don't do that!!

1. Check Oil
2. Check Oil in Transmission
3. Turn on Blower
4. Check Fuel Level
5. Check Plug
6. Lower Lift
7. Fire it up and go skiing! :popcorn:

[DanC]

3 to 5 minutes....is that really necessary?

Only necessary if you have gas fumes in your bilge. ;) Kinda like seat belts.

[sfitzgerald351]

3 to 5 minutes....is that really necessary?

Only if you don't want your boat to look like THIS:

See http://www.auxguidanceskills.info/press/spark.html for more info...

[erkoehler]

:eek: Oh, that is real comforting!

[sfitzgerald351]

Tell me about it. Saw a cruiser go up in San Diego while I was there in college. NOT PRETTY!

[tex]

Inga takes care of all blower issues on my 197.

[east tx skier]

So, Tex, you're in the leave the blower on all the time camp, correct?

[sfitzgerald351]

You will note that I was in the 'there is no harm letting the blower go for a long time' camp....

[Ric]

You will note that I was in the 'there is no harm letting the blower go for a long time' camp....
always check to see that the blower looks good

[sfitzgerald351]

:friday: :friday: :friday:

[Ric]

You forgot "carb heat" off and magneto test. You're probably fuel injected though. How long you been flying?
flying? hell I thought he was talking about an outboard!

[lakes Rick]

always check to see that the blower looks good


Whats she got to do with it?

[erkoehler]

and.......we are officially off topic.

[tex]

No, we're on the right topic. Leave the blower on!

[bobk]

I think I will put a posted note on my dash that says "Hey stupid turn on the blower!!' :steering:







Most likely I will look at it funny then throw it away and start the engine without turn on the blower.

[tex]

Blower issues-I always raise my engine cover-put plug in-back the boat in w/engine cover up and start. cures any issues with fumes.

[Tennesseeski]

Whats she got to do with it?
:headbang: :woohoo: Everything!!!

[OhioProstar]

http://www.indmar.com/files/manual/indmar_2001_om.pdf

[bsimpson]

You need it for 5 minutes before you fire up the engine and can turn it off once you get enough speed to have air venting the engine compartment from the deck vents.

I turn mine on before I drive down the ramp which usually takes 5 minutes before a space is open to launch. I made a huge checklist for everything from storing, trailering, pre-ramp, on-ramp, and loading. Didn't check my list the other day and sure enough forgot to install the tower mirror and I left the bolt in my cup holder in the Yukon.

Once you have used the blower to start the engine at the beginning of the day do you have to turn it one before each start between wakeboard sessions? I have been doing this to be safe but is the ten seconds prior to subsequent starts throughout the day necessary? :confused:

[BRAZOS 205]

I use my blower very limited. I have to trailer my boat to the lakes and rivers I ski on. If driving 65 mph on the highway does not clear out the fumes, I don't know what will. The amount of time to open the engine box and put in the plug is enough time to air out the engine compartment at the ramp before starting. I never smell any fumes when I do this, well I never smell any fumes anytime. I will run the blower if I have been sitting for more than an hour in one place. Now, if I had a carb. engine, I might rethink my blower operation.

[erkoehler]

I have the EFI in my boat, and haven't noticed any fumes, but I do trailer to the ramp which should clear them out. However, I do run the blower while backing the boat in the water, and do leave the engine cover open. Better safe than sorry....

[jmo_54729]

I always take a peek under the engine box after I get underway (as long as there are no little kids in the front of the
boat). This covers me if I: Am taking on water, hear strange engine noises, see excessive bilge, see oil in bilge, see hose leaks, etc...

[RobertT]

Bikini tops must be properly removed and stowed, as any inboard owner knows, at times there is a sever downdraft by the fratizulgizzr under the boat that could get clogged and ruin the motor when a bikini top is blown off and sucked under the boat.

Feel free to print this out and keep in the boat for reference or to prove that this absolute mandatory safety bulletin is heeded.

As a side note, for reasons unknown, this fails to be a problem to those wearing bikini tops that are over 45 years of age or have had over 4 children. If that is the case, please disregard this safety bulletin and continue with the remainder of the checklist.

[Cheecher]

Bikini tops must be properly removed and stowed, as any inboard owner knows, at times there is a sever downdraft by the fratizulgizzr under the boat that could get clogged and ruin the motor when a bikini top is blown off and sucked under the boat.

Feel free to print this out and keep in the boat for reference or to prove that this absolute mandatory safety bulletin is heeded.

As a side note, for reasons unknown, this fails to be a problem to those wearing bikini tops that are over 45 years of age or have had over 4 children. If that is the case, please disregard this safety bulletin and continue with the remainder of the checklist.


Thats just awesome!!!! :headbang:

[stevo137]

Woo Hoo, don't forget about the plug!!! :D