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Old 03-13-2006, 08:28 AM
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Don Moyer Don Moyer is offline
 
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BSquared,

Engines are frequently started while on land to ensure that they will start after being launched in the spring, saving the hassle of having to be returned to dry dock or towed to the slip rather than getting there under the boat's own power. Other than simply ensuring that the engine will start, I can't think of any other good reason to run an engine while on land. Since there is no practical way to put the engine under load, and most other testing or troubleshooting can more easily be done after getting in the water.

Running an engine while on land is essentially the same as running in the water, with a few additional considerations:

1) Cooling water supply: The safest way to provide cooling water is to draw it from a 5 gallon bucket through a hose to the suction side of the water pump, very similar to the method used to draw antifreeze into the engine during winterizing. If your only purpose in starting the engine is to be sure that it starts, the water in a 5 gallon bucket should be sufficient (approximately 10 or 15 seconds of running). If you want to run the engine longer, you'll have to provide make-up water through a garden hose to the bucket, with a valve to control the water flow.

NOTE: It is best to locate the bucket in the cabin and level with the engine. We have a few reports each year of engine flooding when the bucket was located in the cockpit (well above the engine) and water siphoned into the engine while the bucket was left unattended.

2) Spinning props while in dry dock are an obvious safety hazard, so before starting, please be sure that the reversing gear is in neutral position. This is best accomplished by grabbing the prop shaft to make sure that it spins freely before starting. In some cases, the neutral zone may be so small that it is practically impossible to insure that the prop will not spin one way or the other. I have occasionally secured a prop to the strut using a large rag, but there is obviously some danger of damaging things if you inadvertently move the shifting lever.

In all cases, it is a very good idea to have a buddy standing guard outside the boat during a short engine run to avoid injury to a passer-by (or getting splashed by cooling water).

Regards,

Don
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