Complete Amateur, In need of some sensible advice

[kernowking]

Hi there I'm new to this forum, I live in Cornwall.

My friend purchased a speedboat (12ft approx) a while back and has been sat in his garden for the last few months so I told him I'd give him a hand sorting it out, but never owned or had use of a boat before. I need a list of items ill need to test the engine out of water.

I need to turn the engine over and ensure it's in working order now I know never to run an engine dry, I looked on ebay at these muffs that feed water to the pump, but not sure if these things are any good. Its a two stroke engine fairly powerful as the boat was used for wake boarding. Not sure on the ratio of oil to fuel or even which type of fuel or oil to use.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Joel

 

[rbcoomer]

Hi Joel,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm assuming the engine is still fixed to the boat - otherwise you'll need some means of securing it safely so the prop can't do any damage to anyone! Apart from opening the throttle at the engine end, you can't usually add any revs out of gear so a large barrel, trough or similar might be better. This also means you will get get sufficient water flow, as a tap might not be enough except at idle. You'll also use less water in a barrel if you need to do any troubleshooting, tuning etc. I only use the muffs for flushing not extended running as they also come off quite easily. Ensure there is sufficient water depth to cover the inlets in the gear-casing and a bit extra.

If there's no water from the small pipe on the head part of the engine within say 10-15 seconds, I'd switch off and investigate as the engine will overheat quickly and get expensive! If you don't know the history and haven't seen it running, I'd want to check the impeller before starting...

Other than that, fuel in suitable tank and a good battery. There will be a breather valve on a proper tank that will need opening/unscrewing a couple of turns - otherwise a vacuum will build up in the tank as the engine draws fuel and it will stall. Fuel will need to be either premixed with oil - probably 50:1, or auto-mixed by the engine. If the latter is the case, there will be an oil reservoir under the engine cover.

I'd personally find out a bit about the engine before I started - if you can't find a manual online, www.boats.net is a good informative site for looking at exploded diagrams, getting part numbers and figuring out what's what! Don't go too much on prices however as UK prices will probably have a extra zero added.

Finally, before you go out anywhere with it, check it is charging the battery... I had my first boat engine professionally serviced to allay any worries, but they didn't check it was charging and thus I had to get towed in on first outing! Luckily a friend came along in his boat for moral support and towed us in.

Good luck & enjoy!

P.S. Not a Fletcher by any chance is it? (See signature... )

 

[rbcoomer]

P.S.

Sorry, a couple of extra thoughts...

1) I wouldn't rev the motor up much even in a barrel unless the prop is removed - it could be quite dangerous and will also empty the barrel of water (= overheat!)
2) Don't forget to fit the kill-cord before you try and start (Otherwise flat battery, heated temper and embarrassment all round!)

 

[kernowking]

Hey thanks for the advice very informative, ill shall lt you know how I get on