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.

Re: Boat won't start
 

Sounds like all the obvious areas are covered. On my Shabah - it must be in neutral so move the shifter around some to make sure it is and the kill switch isn't enabled. The other kill switch - red button - MUST be out as that's an emergency cut-off switch off if contact is made.

I hope you get boating soon! These are great!

Re: Boat won't start
 

it sounds like you just have a bad connection somewhere.

if when u turn the key it just clicks real fast then the battery has enough juice your just not getting it to the starter.

i had this problem on my shabah and all i had to do was wiggle the wires going from the batt. and wiggle the wires coming off of the starter and it would turn over. i would check all connections.

and i would get a better "boat guy"

Re: Boat won't start
 

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I'm guessing its a starter problem. Checked everything (boat in neutral, red button out and kill switch not engaged, checked connections as best we can). The sound seems like it's coming from under the dash, and it is just a sustained "beep". So, I'm putting in the call to a boat mechanic, because we also discovered that the trim only works to put the prop down and it won't come back up ... aargh!:shakehead:

Re: Boat won't start
 

Starter problems are trivially easy to troubleshoot. They're trivially simple circuits :) This is just me, mind you, but I'd hesitate to pay a marine mechanic to address a starter problem.

That's your high-temp/low-oil/low-outdrive-fluid alarm. With the key in "run" and the engine not running, that'll sound anywhere from immediately to some 20 seconds later, depending on the year of your boat.

That's not so trivial. It's probably the trim limit sensor on the outdrive. If the trailering switch works but trim up doesn't, that's almost certainly what it is.

Jim

Re: Boat won't start
 

Thanks Jim! Given that I wouldn't know a circuit from a tree trunk, I think the marine mechanic investment is probably a good one for me. That said, I did just figure out how to raise the prop manually (because our neighbour put it all the way down, then couldn't get it back up, so I can't tow the boat to the mechanic ...). I'll become a boat person yet!

Re: Boat won't start
 

Ya, ok:rolling_laugh:

Re: Boat won't start
 

Pull the lanyard off its switch some time while you're under way and see what happens :) The engine will immediately die and the boat will come to a stop relatively quickly. (As opposed to what would happen were you thrown from the boat with no lanyard switch to kill the engine.)

Jim

Re: Boat won't start
 

Please post the solution to your starting problems. At one time, a friend of mine and I put our heads together and came up with over 20 reasons why a boat wouldn't crank or crank but not fire. I think the mechanic was a good investment.

Re: Solution to Boat won't start
 

Well, it's been a "fun" couple of weeks.

The starter was completely corroded -- this was a salt water boat -- so we got a new one; the batteries were shot, so we got new ones; paid for a major tune up and was told that, and I quote "the boat runs great".

Picked up the boat, loaded up the kids and the gear, pushed out from the ramp, and nothing. Boat won't start. Considered removing the plug and just sinking the damn thing.

Finally, after many tries, got the boat to start but it would not idle. Had to have it at half throttle just to keep the engine running. Sounded to me like a carburator problem that I had on my 1971 MGB. Wind picks up and slams boat into concrete pier ... blah blah blah.

Back to the boat mechanic. Owner isn't there, but wife says that they never even ran the stupid engine because there was no gas. Here's a thought, add some gas and add it to my bill (another $20 bucks on my $1600 bill really wouldn't have bothered me, especially when I told them to check everything because we don't know anything about boats, but I digress). The mechanic who actually worked on the boat told us that he thought maybe flushing the lines etc. caused some gunk to loosen and clog the carburator. We may not know boats, but we know engines, and both excuses did not impress us.

Anyway, it was the carburator (now replaced), and this time they took the boat out for a spin (at my insistence). Found another problem -- alternator was shot. Now that's been replaced so we should be good to go. Picking up the boat this afternoon. We'll see ... what else could possibly go wrong?!:wink_thumbup:

Re: Solution to Boat won't start
 

:rolling_laugh: I think all boat owners feel this way at some point in time! When you get everything ironed out and have that first beautiful day on the water, then you'll forget all your troubles.

When I get to thinking about the boat payments, boat registration and taxes, trailer tags and taxes, insurance, tons of gas, wear and tear on my truck from towing, gimble bearings replaced... twice, u-joints replaced, new water circulating pump, new water intake pump, cleaning the carb (and shooting myself straight in the eye with carburetor cleaner), winterizing, and all the things that are yet to go wrong, I really wonder why I own a boat. But when I'm cruising on glassy water, tunes going, and the wind blowing, I feel like a boat is simply the best thing in the world to spend money on.

Hope you get everything going so you can actually enjoy the lake!

Re: Solution to Boat won't start
 

[QUOTE=kylakerat;17527]:rolling_laugh: I think all boat owners feel this way at some point in time!

Thanks for the words of cheer Kylakerat! Of course, now I have an additional list of things that might fall apart ...

Fortunately, although this boat has yet to see open water, I do have really great memories of being out with my family on our motorboat when I was a kid. You are right, it is a fabulous feeling, and once we get to experience on this boat I'm sure I will forgive and forget. Well, maybe forgive ... :yes_grin:

Re: Boat won't start
 

Hey Kgoo,
I've been reading all of your dilemas.I hope from this point all goes well.I will add...you could have horses (and a boat)!:big_chuckle: