Emergency Engine starting Procedure

[Hweebe]

I haven't been around boats all my life but did not realise for battery started boats  there is still an emergency rip cord starting procedure. I always assume Flat battery while on the water = VMR / Coast guard. Found this on the last page of my outboard manual (that i admit haven't read completely)

Has anyone ever had to attempt an emergency start before?

 

[Angry51]

Yes, many years ago on a 70hp Evenrude.

Battery threw in the towel at sea and had to pull start.

Got it going but you wouldn't want to be doing that too often.

[Hweebe]

Did you run it with the top cowling off like these instructions seem to warn?

I'd be a bit worried with chop / wash directly hitting the engine whilst cruising.

[Angry51]

No, put cowling back on and went home.

[ellicat]

Yes, I had to do it in my old boat. If the error was the battery it would have been quite easy but it turned out my oil injection system failed and without any oil the pistons went. End of motor.

[GregOug]

I’m gonna make sure I’ve always got a bloody big deckie so I don’t have to try and pull start mine.

[bigkingie]

A lithium ion jump starter is a good alternative these days.

[ellicat]

Yep, I carry a jump starter these days.

[Hweebe]

What brand jump starters - I reckon i'm not the best at keeping another battery charged plus what is the lifespan on these lithium jump starters? Would it be more cost effective to just replace boat batteries premptively.

Lots of cheap ones but Murphy's law will have it that when i need the jump starter that will be flat too.

If I go cheap I'm worried it won't work when i need it.

If i go expensive, I'm thinking it may be cheaper to replace the boat batteries proactively 

[Drop Bear]

Yep done this... a few times... No cowling is a noisy run home. 

Note to self... get better at maintenance. 

[ellicat]

6 hours ago, Hweebe said:

What brand jump starters

I bought one of these -

https://itechworld.com.au/products/itech2000a-portable-jump-starter-backup-qi-wireless-power-bank

Have used it on the boat once, but that wasn't the problem. Have started a Lancer with it and also a Navara. It seems to work well and holds its charge for ages... 17% drop every ~6 months. I'm usually good enough to remember once in that time to give it a recharge. You can also recharge using 12V so once it has started the motor you can use the motor to recharge it. Win Win. I've had it for about 30 months and still all good.

[bigkingie]

On 13/06/2022 at 10:26 AM, Hweebe said:

What brand jump starters - I reckon i'm not the best at keeping another battery charged plus what is the lifespan on these lithium jump starters? Would it be more cost effective to just replace boat batteries premptively.

Lots of cheap ones but Murphy's law will have it that when i need the jump starter that will be flat too.

If I go cheap I'm worried it won't work when i need it.

If i go expensive, I'm thinking it may be cheaper to replace the boat batteries proactively 

I have a NOCO GB40 Genius Boost +. It holds it's charge for quite a few months. It saved a fishing trip not long after I got it. A hard to start motor on a cold morning quickly drained my boat's batteries. Batteries can lose 50% of their charge in low temperatures. 

[Hweebe]

Yes - NOCO i did see this brand has lots of positive reviews on Amazon, but you can never be sure with "Paid" amazon reviews for some products. Thanks for the suggestion.

[benno573]

have done this, not easy, definitely helpful to have one on the crank and one on the key and work in tandem.  managed to get a 90hp 2-stroke going a couple of times using this method.

 

worth having a crack at in the driveway at home so you know how and then aren't learning in a critical situation.

[Drop Bear]

you could always kick start it....