posted 04-25-2011 01:08 PM ET (US)            

I don't like the process of making any sort of temporary connections between batteries or boat electrical systems. Since this situation was at the launching ramp, there was no real imperative that the other boater must be aided, at least not like there would be on the water if his boat was stranded at sea. I would have suggested he take the battery out of his car, bring it to the boat, and give himself a jump start from his own car battery. You could offer to watch his boat while he went to the car.

Many years ago in a remote anchorage I watched another boater make extensive use of a power windlass to raise his anchor and re-set it a number of times. Then, he played music on his loudspeakers all afternoon and evening. The next morning he rowed over in his dingy to ask me to help get his engine started--his batteries were all discharged to the point where they did not have enough energy to crank over his engines. My boat had two batteries. I disconnected one and gave it to him. He rowed back to his boat and got one engine started, then the other, then switched to one of his own batteries and brought mine back. In this case the fellow was going to be stranded about 30-miles from the closest marina. He also had his family on-board, including some young children. In that situation it seemed that lending aid was called for.

posted 04-25-2011 01:25 PM ET (US)            

I would have helped that boater too, though if it was an outboard I might have helped the fellow rope start his motor because it might simply have been less effort than rigging a jump.

posted 04-25-2011 01:41 PM ET (US)            

The other thing to remember is to connect the jumper cables
in the correct order:

Recipient +
Donor +
Recipient -
Donor -

Removal is the reverse.

posted 04-25-2011 02:45 PM ET (US)            

Anyway, with high compression like my '75 "bubbleback" has, I would not want to try to start it that way... And I'm more or less fit and strong.

posted 04-25-2011 05:12 PM ET (US)            

No sparks near the recipient so you don't touch off hydrogen

No sparks if you accidentally ground the + clip.

That leads to what I posted.

posted 04-26-2011 09:19 AM ET (US)            

These things happen.

I will also point out, that in over three decades of boating with electric start outboard motors, I have never asked anybody for a jump start. I know I can aways get my outboards going with a $2 length of cord.

I think the most common thinking with dead batteries at the start of the day is that once the motor is going, the battery will be charged up in short order.

This may not be true of a poorly maintained battery but it is true of a sound battery that has simply become discharged due to time or some minor but overlooked draw on the battery.

posted 04-26-2011 09:40 AM ET (US)            

How much energy drain occurs in starting also depends on the amount of cranking needed to start. If the engine fires right away after one revolution of the crankshaft, there won't be a lot of battery drain. If you have to crank over the engine for 20-seconds to start, there will be much greater energy drain from the battery.

The charging circuit is also a variable. Some engines can produce strong charging even at idle speeds, and other engines cannot. In some extreme cases, like the Mercury VERADO outboard engine with electrically boosted power steering, the engine consumes so much electrical power that its net charging current output is very marginal until the engine speed is increased above idle.

posted 04-26-2011 09:50 AM ET (US)            

I haven't tried to start them by hand yet, but my 2000 Johnson 130's have a notch in the flywheel for rope starting as well.

posted 04-26-2011 10:00 AM ET (US)         

Last year the wife and I had a later evening opportunity to go out on the water on our 2007 170 Montauk - a beautiful end-of-summer evening coming on with about 2 hours of daylight left and we had only been out twice - so I hooked the boat up as she got her bathing suit on and my OCD took over when she jumped in the truck next to me - I hadn't run the engine (did the whole fluid and walk-around safety check thing but she was back out before I could hook up the muffs). I started to pull away but just had to finish my routine - luckily it turns out - my bilge switch was somehow engaged and the battery was stone dead(!)

Funny thing is that I had seriously tried to convince myself to just simply keep going because I do take reasonably good care of my 'toys' and my stuff 'always' works on the first or second try - and my wife was so disappointed that I just couldn't, even this once, let it go and "let's just go and get out on the water [finally, dammit]". That disappointment, and the ultimate disappointment of not going now that we finally had the chance and were actually pulling away from the house - was easily surpassed by the relief that we didn't get all the way to the ramp and drop the boat in only to find out there that the battery had died.

Beyond the frustration - I also, more so, do not want the embarrassment of being 'that guy' at the dock.

Whether or not you did the "right" thing, you did a nice thing and you did it the right way, but I too wonder what the heck the plan is for the rest of the day once you do get a jump start at the dock - I think my plan would be to motor over to the nearest Marina and get a new battery installed.

posted 04-26-2011 12:11 PM ET (US)            

There's only so much room on a Montauk. I carry jumper cables
instead. They've earned several six-packs over the years and
paid for themselves. I've needed them for my boat once,
recently, and I'd done everything right. The battery was
only two years old, and had been on a smart trickle charger
in the garage the prior week. The boat started find at
the ramp. After the first dive, no start. I waited till
I saw a friend come out of the harbor, hailed him on the VHF,
got jumped, back to the dock, pulled the battery, off to
West Marine for a warrantee replacement, reinstalled, back
to diving.

I'll stick with jumper cables.

posted 04-26-2011 01:42 PM ET (US)            

I left before they left the dock but always wondered if they now had a cooling problem to go along with their dead battery.

posted 04-28-2011 06:01 PM ET (US)            

1) Don't do this unless in an emergency (I get that but should I practice this before the emergency actually happens?)
2) Remove the cowling and fly wheel cover
3) Make sure the Key is in the ON position
4) Put the knot in the fly wheel notch and make a few rotations

The other thing it points out that this can only be done if the battery is connected with at least 9 volts or more in order for the fuel pump to operate.

It also points out do not try and replace either the fly wheel cover or cowling on an engine that is running. I guess you limp home at that point.

posted 04-29-2011 03:15 PM ET (US)            

----
I used to moor right next to a boat ramp. Search CW boat ramp stories for a good laugh.

Anyway, family of Mexicans, old skiff too small for everyone, dead battery.
They slide the stern of their boat up onto the the sandy portion of the side of the ramp, drive their import car down, connect jumpers then leave it unattended.
Tide is rising all the time, a ship comes by and the routine surge swamps their car and the boat floats off.

posted 04-29-2011 04:10 PM ET (US)            

quote:

---

...there are days we never shut the engine off it will run from the dock until we return to the dock 6-7 hours later.

---

posted 04-30-2011 10:48 AM ET (US)            

I once came upon a sailboat under bare poles with the owner unable to start his outboard engine. He was worn out from pulling the start rope for quite a while. Being a big believer in checking the easy stuff first I asked if the ignition was turned on. He somewhat grumpily responded that of course it was. I then asked if the fuel supply valve was "on". He angrily picked up the fuel line to show me the valve. Turned out it was closed.

posted 04-30-2011 06:00 PM ET (US)            

Thanks for the observation. I've also been advised to use the other fellow's line for liability reasons.

But, I know my line is safe and in excellent condition. It is nylon with a good bit of stretch built in to moderate any sudden loads. This stretch factor lessens the likelihood of pulling his winch cable eye out of his hull and making it into a dangerous missile headed my way.

My concern with using the other boat's tow line is that it may not be good line. As in the example above if his line parts under high load I don't want it to pop back and hurt him or his crew nor to pop forward and hurt me or mine.

Bottom line is that I'll risk a little liability for safety's sake.

Butch

posted 04-30-2011 09:22 PM ET (US)         

Re your points about not choosing an Optimax..I agree ...I've got an inherited (I shouldn't complain!) 2008 90 Optimax ...with only 35 hours....and have had some dramas with starting + have concerns (perceptions/doubts at least)in my mind re operating my boat with this motor....

I would feel more secure with a motor that:

(1) Can be pull started in need, (not nice to have to do this but at least you have a chance to start), my motor does not have this, I checked under the flywheel cover

Hence the need for 2 batteries - I have bought 2 new ones - mounted in the Montauk's console, which is a real pain to work in there - having issues with wiring/isolator switch in there - have to get in there and sort it out... Also, with an Opti I feel I have to charge the batteries more frequently...a bit of a headache as my boat is parked in the street - have to either put the rig inside my property (apartment) or remove + reinstall batteries....not good to disturb wiring/connections etc..

(2)Once started does not necessarily rely on a battery/ies to keep going eg. for fuel pumps or electronics..

(3) Puts out a reasonable net charge at idle (or at least does not continue to discharge batteries at idle), I plan to use my boat for some trolling at idle. Not knowing charging output at idle means I have doubts, knowing RPM vs charging output for this motor would make me feel better...

(3) Does not have a compressor belt, potentially one more thing to go wrong(although belts are usually quite good if inspected & replaced if needed as part of service)

(4) was lighter, so I could more comfortably use a kicker.

I like the KISS principle...the simpler the better...less electronics, less moving parts etc...

I really don't want to ignite a brand debate, but the Opti would not have been my choice for repower.

Enough of my ramblings, we still need to keep our batteries charged !

Dom

posted 04-30-2011 10:47 PM ET (US)         

Interesting points about the liability implications of helping others, I have in the past helped jump start others + towed others (+ been towed once following a capsize in a aluminium dinghy (it was righted but motor would not start.)

What goes around comes around....

posted 05-02-2011 07:21 PM ET (US)            

Remember there are waters where tow coverage is sparse and others where response times are quite long. Full coverage and quick response times seem to be widely available where a lot of boats operate. Of course, these are areas where a free tow is also most readily available from a passing boater.

I have never seen a commercial tow service's tow vessel in the waters in which I spend most of my boating and fishing time. In these waters folks seem very ready to lend assistance such as a tow, a jump start, or even a cold beverage or first aid. We've been known to share bait and even part of our catches, too.

The attitudes seem to reflect those seen in small towns versus big cities. In small towns neighbors seem much more willing to help their neighbors.

posted 05-03-2011 10:59 AM ET (US)            

The normal procedure is to rotate the flywheel by hand until resistance is felt from one cylinder's compression. You then wrap the cord around the flywheel perhaps only 180-270 degrees. You pull the flywheel through that one cylinder's compression stroke using bot arms. It should be easy for any adult to do.

If it is not possible for you to pull the motor through that one compression stroke, it is best to try it now and find out so you know not to bother trying it on open water.

posted 05-03-2011 12:38 PM ET (US)            

My outboards, on the other hand, only start on one pull IF they have been used already that day and are still warm. I do realize that if I could use them every day, they would start quicker, but I also follow the routine of starting them up a home before heading to the ramp.