Duh, I can't believe I did/didn't do that!!!

[Ndawg12]

Ok maybe this has been done before, maybe not. I think it will help us all compile a list of simple things to check first at the ramp before pulling out.

Last week I did some minor tweaking of my battery set up. Then on Sunday when I got to the busy ramp and ready to fire up the Bu, nothing, I had power but it wouldn't turn over. I was flustered, and didn't really have any direction to my troubleshooting. In order to avoid a total Wally situation, I just had my wife pull out and park to get out of the way and assess the situation. I spent an hour unhooking the batteries and perko, re-tightening everything, looking at the engine for anything abnormal, fiddling with the safety switch as I hear they go out from time to time.

I'm sure I'm not the only who's done this but while loading the boat after the previous outing I left the shifter forward while hooking up the chain and winch strap, then shut the boat off and never returned it to neutral!!!!!!!!!!!

Please post any and all other simple checks to do. I will post updated lists as they come in.

Edited June 8, 2009 by nemire12

[fijidaniel]

Haven't had that problem yet, but I have launched the boat without the plug in! Luckily it was the center plug and I opened the ski locker to check the bag and saw the bubbles.

[obski]

Just a couple of months ago we got to the ramp and had a dead battery. This was not all that unusual as far as the battery goes as I have had some problems with the battery setup for a few years, which is why I keep a portable jumper in the boat. The only problem with that is that we had used the jumper a few days prior and my son hadn''t turned it off so that it had drained. I caught that as I was getting the boat ready, but it was only half an hour before we were to leave. I plugged in the jumper for that half hour, but it wasn't enough. Oh well.

[68Slalom]

Haven't had that problem yet, but I have launched the boat without the plug in! Luckily it was the center plug and I opened the ski locker to check the bag and saw the bubbles.

I've done that also, but my center plug is much harder to get at

[WakingMeHappy]

This is my 4th season with my Bu and have yet to have "any" problems at the lake.

Now, the said, my last boat was a SeaRay and there were numerous times I got to the lake and it wouldn't start or died during the day.

Hence, why that boat is gone and the Bu is here to stay!

[lf133]

Went to the lake the other weekend and tested the batteries all was good. Turned the key and heard the fuel pump but did not turn it over because I did not want to fry the impeller. Got to the lake turned the key and nothing. Pulled it out, to find out the starter was frozen. Man that sucked. I should have known better. Make sure it works before I get to the lake. The wife was a little upset.

[Ndawg12]

Went to the lake the other weekend and tested the batteries all was good. Turned the key and heard the fuel pump but did not turn it over because I did not want to fry the impeller. Got to the lake turned the key and nothing. Pulled it out, to find out the starter was frozen. Man that sucked. I should have known better. Make sure it works before I get to the lake. The wife was a little upset.

That brings up a good issue. Is it OK to bump the starter just to make sure the engine will crank? I'm talking about just for a millisecond to hear it. When the boat is dropped in the water does water get forced all the way up to the impeller so that it's never without water or does it take a couple turns to prime before water reaches it???

I don't want to get off the topic but this is a very interesting side note for me because I bump the starter all the time while the boat is dry!!

Edited June 8, 2009 by nemire12

[BlastRlxi]

I checked the battery not hooked up option. The battery was hooked up but the positive lead wasn't tight. No start at the ramp. Wiggled the lead and it started. One minute with the wrench and it was good to go but I should have checked it at home (first outing of the season).

[68Slalom]

Went to the lake the other weekend and tested the batteries all was good. Turned the key and heard the fuel pump but did not turn it over because I did not want to fry the impeller. Got to the lake turned the key and nothing. Pulled it out, to find out the starter was frozen. Man that sucked. I should have known better. Make sure it works before I get to the lake. The wife was a little upset.

That brings up a good issue. Is it OK to bump the starter just to make sure the engine will crank? I'm talking about just for a millisecond to hear it. When the boat is dropped in the water does water get forced all the way up to the impeller so that it's never without water or does it take a couple turns to prime before water reaches it???

I don't want to get off the topic but this is a very interesting side note for me because I bump the starter all the time while the boat is dry!!

I do it all the time, and I got 120 hrs on the first impeller and it looked perfect, I feel more comfortable knowing that it will start when I get to the ramp. I actually ran the one I have now for about 2 mins when my fake-a-lake came loose and I was a little worried but it's working fine so far, now watch it fail this weekend

Edited June 8, 2009 by 68Slalom

[aaudii5150]

I have not done this yet in the new BU but I've driven off with two "anchor buddys" still attached to the bow.......

I sure is nice to be able to start the boat and get things in order while in deeper water, but don't forget to unhook before

you put the throttle down.....

[Ndawg12]

Went to the lake the other weekend and tested the batteries all was good. Turned the key and heard the fuel pump but did not turn it over because I did not want to fry the impeller. Got to the lake turned the key and nothing. Pulled it out, to find out the starter was frozen. Man that sucked. I should have known better. Make sure it works before I get to the lake. The wife was a little upset.

That brings up a good issue. Is it OK to bump the starter just to make sure the engine will crank? I'm talking about just for a millisecond to hear it. When the boat is dropped in the water does water get forced all the way up to the impeller so that it's never without water or does it take a couple turns to prime before water reaches it???

I don't want to get off the topic but this is a very interesting side note for me because I bump the starter all the time while the boat is dry!!

I do it all the time, and I got 120 hrs on the first impeller and it looked perfect, I feel more comfortable knowing that it will start when I get to the ramp. I actually ran the one I have now for about 2 mins when my fake-a-lake came loose and I was a little worried but it's working fine so far, now watch it fail this weekend

That's good to hear, thanks.

[lf133]

Went to the lake the other weekend and tested the batteries all was good. Turned the key and heard the fuel pump but did not turn it over because I did not want to fry the impeller. Got to the lake turned the key and nothing. Pulled it out, to find out the starter was frozen. Man that sucked. I should have known better. Make sure it works before I get to the lake. The wife was a little upset.

That brings up a good issue. Is it OK to bump the starter just to make sure the engine will crank? I'm talking about just for a millisecond to hear it. When the boat is dropped in the water does water get forced all the way up to the impeller so that it's never without water or does it take a couple turns to prime before water reaches it???

I don't want to get off the topic but this is a very interesting side note for me because I bump the starter all the time while the boat is dry!!

I do it all the time, and I got 120 hrs on the first impeller and it looked perfect, I feel more comfortable knowing that it will start when I get to the ramp. I actually ran the one I have now for about 2 mins when my fake-a-lake came loose and I was a little worried but it's working fine so far, now watch it fail this weekend

That's good to hear, thanks.

Yea.. I now bump it on and off.

[MalibuNation]

I've been pretty lucky so far. The worse thing that happened to me was the throttle (sp) cable came off at the engine ... boat was brand new ... well one month old ... luckily I was able to get the parts from my perfect pass to get it to work. I was ready to call the owner of the local Bu dealership where I bought it ... it was 4th of July and I was having a party with my new boat!

Last year for the first time (and it happened 3 times last year) I had vapor lock.

Those are my horror stories.

[JohnDoe]

I've made many mistakes, but leaving the rear trailer straps attached is my favorite self-depreciating story. I was literally saying to myself, "what is attached to the boat?"!

[RTS]

I've taken off after floating around in the lake with my anchor out. I caught a glimpse of it skipping across the water in my rear view mirror. I can't belive it didn't rip my cleats out of the hull, or worse, rebound into the boat and hurt someone. It looked like a ski handle bouncing around back there.

I've done some stupid stuff, to be sure, but that is the one that sticks in my mind.

[aaudii5150]

I've made many mistakes, but leaving the rear trailer straps attached is my favorite self-depreciating story. I was literally saying to myself, "what is attached to the boat?"!

Love that one......

Had it happen with the bow strap on Fri..... "hey is the bow loose?"

"Yep good to go....."

Just about bulled the truck down the launch...... Check strap was still on.....

[Olivertuft]

Ah yes....Two words. Drain Plugs. I did this 1st time out while still on the ramp with our 1st Bu. Backed the boat in, safety strap still on, opened the back hatch to vent, and holy cow, filling up w/ water. Pulled the boat back off the ramp w/ bilges running. Many laughs and smiles from other docks. "Drain plugs?".."we've all done it"...it's the kind of mistake you only make once.

One other "one time" mistake. Took off with the anchor (mushroom style) down. Couldnt understand why the boat was so under powered until I heard a snap and we took off like a rocket. One anchor donated to the botton of the lake.

Cheers

[Malibuzer]

I've made many mistakes, but leaving the rear trailer straps attached is my favorite self-depreciating story. I was literally saying to myself, "what is attached to the boat?"!

I left one one once. I felt like an idiot.

[Pistol Pete]

I've made many mistakes, but leaving the rear trailer straps attached is my favorite self-depreciating story. I was literally saying to myself, "what is attached to the boat?"!

Been there once.

And, dead batt. once. Luckily, I always have a (charged) jumper on board.

[Bill_AirJunky]

I don't want to get off the topic but this is a very interesting side note for me because I bump the starter all the time while the boat is dry!!

I do it all the time for a variety of reasons & have never had a problem, even with the old Johnson impellers.

I like the dragging the anchor story. Never done that yet. But I have left the drain plugs out a couple times.

Edited June 8, 2009 by Bill_AirJunky

[Darwin]

Last year towards the end of the season I left the 'Bu running as we pulled her out of the water. There are a couple of trash dumpsters close to the ramp and we always stop by those to dispose of our trash and get everything ready to leave. As we stopped next to the dumpsters I noticed a strange noise. Doh! Luckily, she was only running for maybe 30 seconds out of the water and the temp was less than 180. But, wow, I felt dumb!

[Ndawg12]

This thread isn't headed in the direction I intended, but I like it !!

[onamission]

Put the locking clips in for the swim-platform so it doesn't float away.

[skyskier]

My dragging anchor story ends with "and then the darn thing swung around and took out all of the glass on the passenger side." A guy was trying to catch up with me to tell me the anchor was out. (kinda cool that he could not catch me even though I was dragging an anchor) He said the rope stretched out and sent the anchor flying like it was shot from a slingshot. It came a little closer to the boat each time as the speed picked up. On the final shot, it swung around in an arc and the glass exploded. My buddy was in the passenger seat holding the anchor. Other than a few minor cuts, there were no serious injuries. It took longer than you might imagine for us to figure out what happened. Positive proof that a problem cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created it.

My "got stung by a bee while running back to the truck for the drain plug" story pales in comparison.

[martinarcher]

My dragging anchor story ends with "and then the darn thing swung around and took out all of the glass on the passenger side." A guy was trying to catch up with me to tell me the anchor was out. (kinda cool that he could not catch me even though I was dragging an anchor) He said the rope stretched out and sent the anchor flying like it was shot from a slingshot. It came a little closer to the boat each time as the speed picked up. On the final shot, it swung around in an arc and the glass exploded. My buddy was in the passenger seat holding the anchor. Other than a few minor cuts, there were no serious injuries. It took longer than you might imagine for us to figure out what happened. Positive proof that a problem cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created it.

My "got stung by a bee while running back to the truck for the drain plug" story pales in comparison.

Oh man! That one is hilarious! I can't imagine an anchor landing in your lap! Glad no one was hurt!