Getting Motor ready for use?

[carlcmc]

I had my boat for the first time last year. I had the motor winterized by the dealer. Is there anything special i need to do besides just put it in the water and start it?

[out_fisherman]

What you have to do in spring may depend on what was done

last fall. I've had a '91 boat/motor combo since new, and

this is what I have done - and I've never had a problem:

Fall: - Put enough "Sta-Bil" in the tank for the entire

volume of fuel it will hold. (1 OZ/2.5 gal of gas).

Drain/refill the lower unit - note whether ANY water

comes out when draining - if so, your seals are leaking.

Get 'em fixed. Fill gas tank completely, to make sure

Sta-Bil is mixed well and to eliminate air space.

(Condensation can only occur in the airspaces, not

under the gas level.

Run motor (with flushing muff) and fog engine. Check

your owners manual - you may have a built-in fogging

port on your motor like I have. (OMC)

Once fogged, just shut 'er down. You should have drawn

enough Sta-Bil thru the motor to protect the carbs from

gumming up over the winter. Check tire pressure on trailer

and then put a bunch of BOUNCE fabric softener sheets in

the boat compartments AND put a couple inside the engine

cowling (mice hate the smell). Then store boat as usual.

Spring: Not much to do, really - pull all the BOUNCE

sheets out (you can still use them in the dryer,- really!)

get out your flushing muff and prepare to start the motor.

BUT, before you start the motor, stick a nail or piece of

wire in the fuel connector coming from the gas tank and

put the end into a coffee can. Squeeze the primer bulb

several times or until what comes out actually looks like

good gas. THEN connect it to your motor. Sometimes you

would be amazed what those first few squirts of gas

looks like!.

And oh, by the way.....you DID keep your battery charged

throughout the winter, no?

Having done this for what...14 years, I think I'll stick

with it. My motor has yet to see a mechanic since new.