Starting boat out of the water

[Thrall]

You won't wreck a good impeller by cranking the engine or even starting it up briefly with no water to the engine.
My usual routine if I have to start it out of the water (at home), since I just put a garden hose in the r/w line, is to start the boat with the hose ready to go, then go turn on the hose. It runs for 10-15sec dry, no problem.
I had an unfortunate incident with a defective Perko flush pro first time out a couple years ago. Boat idled for proabably a couple minutes before I realized what was going on. The engine compartment got very hot, light smoke from somewhere was the clue, but it actually did not ruin anything. Exhaust hoses were fine, impeller fine. Not that I'm reccomending to do that, but evidence that starting it dry for a few seconds won't hurt anything.

[mzimme]

Originally Posted by Thrall

You won't wreck a good impeller by cranking the engine or even starting it up briefly with no water to the engine.
My usual routine if I have to start it out of the water (at home), since I just put a garden hose in the r/w line, is to start the boat with the hose ready to go, then go turn on the hose. It runs for 10-15sec dry, no problem.
I had an unfortunate incident with a defective Perko flush pro first time out a couple years ago. Boat idled for proabably a couple minutes before I realized what was going on. The engine compartment got very hot, light smoke from somewhere was the clue, but it actually did not ruin anything. Exhaust hoses were fine, impeller fine. Not that I'm reccomending to do that, but evidence that starting it dry for a few seconds won't hurt anything.

No offense, but just because things came out ok for you at one time does not mean the correct advice given should be that starting dry is fine. Starting dry is what ruins impellers prematurely, there's really no disputing that. Impellers can go bye bye in as little as a few seconds, it's just not worth a dry start.

[TRBenj]

Originally Posted by mzimme

No offense, but just because things came out ok for you at one time does not mean the correct advice given should be that starting dry is fine. Starting dry is what ruins impellers prematurely, there's really no disputing that. Impellers can go bye bye in as little as a few seconds, it's just not worth a dry start.

No, he's right... at least mostly. Unless the RWP was drained fully (this will not happen over time- only if it was drained or blown out), a "dry start" isnt actually dry- there is some residual water left in it. A quick start without water is NOT going to shred an impeller. Im talking 1-2 seconds... not 30+. I dont trailer regularly, so Im not subjecting the impeller to this practice on a regular basis... but on all the boats I own or work on, I do a quick dry start before heading to the ramp... sure beats monkeying around once you get there. I get 5+ years out of my impellers.

[XtwentyNot]

I blame the dealer for me having to change the impeller at less then 10 hours on a new X25. I yelled at them when they dry fired it, they laughed at me. I made them give me a new impeller to put in my glove box. I should have made them change it since I overheated and had to change it on my next use.

[east tx skier]

Even though there is water in the pump housing, I err on the side of not starting the boat out of the water unless it is hooked up to a water source. If you are worried about your battery's state, just turn on the blower. If it sounds weak, you may want to check the battery. If it fires up loud as ever, you're probably good to go. You should be running the blower anyway, right?

Also, if you have a fair amount of down time between uses, a battery cut off switch is a good investment. My boats have always managed to have one sort of phantom draw or another that will drain the battery over time. The switch is cheaper and easier for me than chasing the source of the draw.

Also, we have a battery powered jump starter that we keep charged up and take on the boat with us. It isn't huge and is good insurance.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Originally Posted by east tx skier

Even though there is water in the pump housing, I err on the side of not starting the boat out of the water unless it is hooked up to a water source. If you are worried about your battery's state, just turn on the blower. If it sounds weak, you may want to check the battery. If it fires up loud as ever, you're probably good to go. You should be running the blower anyway, right?

Also, if you have a fair amount of down time between uses, a battery cut off switch is a good investment. My boats have always managed to have one sort of phantom draw or another that will drain the battery over time. The switch is cheaper and easier for me than chasing the source of the draw.

Also, we have a battery powered jump starter that we keep charged up and take on the boat with us. It isn't huge and is good insurance.

Great for peace of mind. Haven't needed mine since I got it.

[mikeg205]

+ 1 on not running engine with no water... if you want to spin the engine to check it.. make sure the impeller is lubricated. I run in a muddy river that has it's share of duck weed and other flora that can get sucked up....so my MCOCD kicks in and I check my impeller a few outings and back flush the tranny cooler....usually get some grass out during the back flush.

I always check start in the drive way...lanyard off just to make sure all is good...yeah I know...the start in the drive good always be the last for a starter....

[mikeg205]

Originally Posted by thatsmrmastercraft

Great for peace of mind. Haven't needed mine since I got it.

Everyone I know who bought a jump starter never needed it.. lol.

[mzimme]

I just bring jumper cables. I don't have a perko switch hooked up yet for my second battery (use the second battery for the stereo only), so if I need some extra power I hook up the cables and am usually fine. If not, someone else on the water will be able to help.

[Miss Rita]

wouldn't the impeller run dry every time you start the engine until it draws water up through the intake hose?