Boat won't start
 

Okay, finally got the boat ready, batteries hooked up, lines, fuel and everything checked after winterizing, and we can't get the boat to start. Turn the key while pushing in (a neighbour who is a "boat guy" is helping us because this is our first boat). There is a buzzing sound when the key is turned, but engine does not turn over. Amps are good. Fuel is good. Tried jumping using our truck but got nothing. Is there a trick to starting a Mariah (we have a 1999 Shabah)? :(

Re: Boat won't start
 

There is no trick. Matter of fact never heard of pushing in. Just turn the key to the right like starting a car.

Where is the sound coming from? Engine compartment? If it isn't the heat/low gear oil alarm going off (it goes off after the key is on for so long and the engine not running, then it could be starter solenoid.

If it is it sounds just like when a car starter goes bad on you. All of us who drove beaters when younger know this sound well. :yes_grin:

Re: Boat won't start
 

Did you check cut off switch on throttle handle. Think it's called a yarman.I did that once and tried everything until l found out it was switched off.:wink_thumbup:

Re: Boat won't start
 

Wondered about that switch. Figured it probably shut the engine off.

Searched several ways on "yarman." Couldn't find anything.

Jim

Re: Boat won't start
 

Did you make sure the boat is in netural?

Re: Boat won't start
 

The name of cut off switch was (LANYARD)
look at Throttle Control Shifter Question? in the search link.

Re: Boat won't start
 

We always just called it a "kill switch". Also known as dead mans switch. Supposed to wrap it around your wrist when running and if you fall out of the chair :shakehead: it pulls the cable out and kills the engine.

Wikipedia version:
.

Lanyards are usually attached to dead man's switches or "kill switches" on dangerous machinery, such as large industrial cutting/slicing machines, and also on vehicles, such as jet-skis or trains, so that if the operator suddenly becomes incapacitated, their fall will pull on the lanyard attached to their wrist, which will then pull the switch to immediately stop the machine or vehicle.

Re: Boat won't start
 

Our lanyard hooks to a switch on the helmsman's panel with a little "U"-shaped clip. The switch to which I'm referring is on the lower-left of the Mercruiser shift/throttle control and is labeled "on"/"off", IIRC. Is that also a dead-man's/lanyard switch, then?

Anyway: I think we're barking up the wrong tree. The sound the OP described doesn't sound like the description of an engine that's cranking, but won't start. Sounds like a bad battery, poor connections, bad starter solenoid or bad starter.

Jim

Re: Boat won't start
 

That is the kill switch. Lanyard is just a line, cable etc.

We are barking up the wrong tree also. That's why I asked where that sound was coming from to determine which place the problem exists.

Re: Boat won't start
 

My alarm sounds when the key is turned on (without the engine running) when the lanyard is attached, so I assume the OP's lanyard is attached. Also, the engine will crank without the lanyard attached, it just won't start.

But, the engine will NOT crank if the throttle is not in the neutral or throttle only positions. This is my guess of what is wrong. Try holding the key in the start position and wiggle the throttle/gear selector back and forth and see if the engine will crank. There have been times my throttle looks to be in neutral bit it's just a tad out of center and the engine won't crank.