posted 06-02-2009 05:03 PM ET (US)        

I`m mailing you all,from Galway on the West coast of Ireland.

I have a few questions about the Rage 15 with the 115 OMC engine.

1. Is there any knack in getting the thing started within
10 attempts?

It usually takes me up to 10 minutes for me to get the
boat started,once in the water,which as you can imagine
is embarrising to say the least,when my fellow boaters
are off and away with the first turn of the key!

2. Is there much to cleaning out the impeller if it does
become jammed up!

When I first got the boat 6 weeks ago it worked for 20
minutes,when then I heard a loud buzzer sound from the
console.I`ve learned since that this is an overheat
problem.My mechanic stripped her down and found beach
sand clogging the pipie network and impellor.

I just don`t want the expense of this every time I
run over weed or a sandbar,so I`d like to be able to
attempt this repair myself.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yours,

posted 06-04-2009 10:22 PM ET (US)            

1. Before starting a cold engine, I open the engine compartment and press the fuel primer 5-10 times.

2. I then set the throttle in neutral and push it to about 1/3 to 1/2 full.

3. Then, I turn the key, pressing in the key as I turn it. After the engine turns over, it runs rough, so I pump the key 5-10 times until it runs smoother.

All of these things make it so that I can start the engine and keep it started. It might die out a few times, but generally using this approach I don't have the 20 minute starting routine anymore. Regretably, the engine will smoke quite a bit during this process, but I haven't figured out how to mitigate this problem.

Enjoy the boat. Other than the really finicky engine, it is great fun.

posted 06-05-2009 11:49 AM ET (US)            

Do you have any experience with the dreadful overheat
problem that these boats all appear to have?

Is it a problem that can be repaired by yourself or does it need to go to the boat-shop every time?

I only have the boat a couple of months at this stage and am only getting used to all of its quirks and flaws.I hope
your "starting" trick does the business for me!

Another worrying thing you might know about is,while me,my wife and kids were out on the boat last weekend we pulled up to do a spot of fishing.After about 30 mins. when I went to start the boat again,ther was absolutly nothing happening when I turned the key for I guess 10 tries.I then pushed the trottle forward and then back to neutral and she began to turn over and I eventually got her started!

Have you ever experienced any problems such as this?

Thanks for your reply,

posted 06-07-2009 04:48 PM ET (US)            

There should be a sand filter on the coolant line before the engine - this will prevent sand getting into the engine.

Remove (or have your mechanic remove) the thermostats and poppets. It is suggested they get replaced periodically but it is better to just remove them. You will not see any problem with them out of the coolant stream and the engine will still run hot enough to get good combustion.

Check all hoses and fittings in the coolant stream for any stones, shells or other debris that may be caught restricting the flow of water.

Purge the fuel tank - get all liquid (fuel, water crud etc.) out and fill it with good fuel. Don't assume the fuel in the tank is good and that there is not phase separated water in the bottom of the tank.

If new fuel and the previous advice about starting does not help, get the carb's cleaned and synchronized.

It should start easier than you describe - I ran mine in freezing temps and although a little hard starting while cold, it always started with what I consider minor cranking.

The jet intake plugging is problematic if you are in a lake or river with a lot of floating weeds. This is not something you can "fix". Just be selective where and when you do boating.