Free Boating Tips

With regular maintenance you should have years and years of safe boating. But what do you do if your boat’s engine won’t start? Below is a list of common problems to look for that may save you a lot of heartache. 

Firstly, if your engine won’t start and you are out on the water you need to stay calm and drop anchor. Staying where you are increases your safety and stops you from drifting out to sea. Always drop the anchor and take a few minutes to contemplate what you are going to do if your engine fails.

If your engine won’t start it usually can be traced back to two factors, either the fuel or the ignition. Firstly, you should look at the obvious things as to why your engine is not starting.

Is there any fuel in the tank? It is an obvious one but many people fail to regularly check this even before they go out on the water. Is the fuel line free from obstructions and not kinked in anyway? Check the primer bulb is tight to ensure fuel is getting to the carburettor.  Also make sure the kill switch isn’t switched on which would prevent your boat from starting.

Once these checks have been done it is time to look elsewhere. Are the battery cables connected tightly to the battery? Look at the spark plugs and see what condition they are in. They should be clean and in one piece. If they are dark, chipped or cracked it is time to get new ones. See if the spark plug is firing by pulling it out, placing it on a surface and turn the motor over. See if you can see a spark, and if not make sure the leads are firmly connected.

If the engine is still not starting look elsewhere. Have a look around the boat to see if there are any noticeable problems such as broken leads, cables or electronics. Have a quick look around your boat and see if you can see anything out of the ordinary.

Once you have done all of these checks you should have got your motor up and running. If not it is time to call in a professional to either fix it on the spot or tow you back to shore.