Pre-start checks

SimonCh · 07 August 2013, 19:02

Was in loch lomond the other weekend, boat towed down no bother, reversed in to the water, and it wouldn't bloody start.

First i checked the fuel tank (had issues with that before) so i swapped tanks, and still the same. Then i thought the priming bulb wasnt as hard as it perhaps should be, so disconnected the fuel line, pressed the valve, squeezed the bulb and got petrol everywhere. So what next? pull the plugs and crank the engine even though they were dry. Ok, so no fuel? took the fuel filter off and it was indeed full of fuel with no debris. F*ck.

Away to turn over the engine once again and notice the kill cord hanging down.... D'oh

We went for a blast, and I had a read through the bumf that was given to me when i registered the boat on the loch, and there was a pre-start check list that I perhaps should have read. Was really annoyed at myself, what an idiot. Shows the importance of all the stuff we get taught offshore "don't get caught up in the job, just take a step back'

Had my boat a few years now, and thats the most stupid thing i've missed!

Occam's Razor

A1an · 07 August 2013, 19:57

I'm betting there are many people on here that have done exactly the same thing.

I know I have...... Several times. Not to the extent of taking things apart right enough.

You live and learn.

Poly · 07 August 2013, 20:06

Simon,

I've lost count of how many times I've not had the kill cord connected and accordingly been unable to start. I've never started taking things to pieces - so far!

My other favourite little moment of panic is to turn the key and get nothing. Then I realise it is still in gear!

Nos4r2 · 07 August 2013, 20:07

Not RIB related but:-

I once stopped on the side of the A419 to see if a guy on an NC30 needed a hand. He was waiting for the AA.

He'd stopped the bike on the killswitch to go behind a bush and it wouldn't go again. He went bright red when I turned the killswitch on and it fired up.

You're not alone.

JamesF · 07 August 2013, 20:37

Oh yes, I've done the killcord thing before. Usually when I come alongside an anchored committee boat and switch off (i.e. where there's a captive audience to point and laugh when you work out what's wrong). Once launching through four feet of breaking waves (I'd unplugged it and clipped it on before launching); having plugged it in, I then forgot to take it out of gear.

I've also radioed another safety boat for assistance when it turned out that the problem was my crew standing on the fuel line.

And forgotten to put the bung in (once at the start of the season three years running, amongst others).

chris.moody · 07 August 2013, 20:56

I think everyone has played the why will it not start game only to discover it's because the killcord is not attached. I know I have done it.

Nos4r2 · 07 August 2013, 20:58

Yep, or forgotten to attach the fuel line... (me...)

Boats&Outboards · 07 August 2013, 21:10

I remember when we delivered a boat to Hythe Marina a month back we were watching a chap on the marina trying to start his Opti, after several cranks without joy (to his embarrassment as it was a sea trial with customers onboard) I shouted over "Kill Cord" as you tend to know when its not connected, he replied "oh yeah the dead mans cord, that helps" and connected it up.

The engine roared into life first crank.

He promptly reversed out of his berth, put the kill cord over the control box handle and proceeded with his sea trial! You've guessed it, no life jackets either... I wish I hand't said anything after watching that

www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk

thomas · 07 August 2013, 21:18

I managed to knock the kill cord off my 6hp Mariner attached to the back of my raggie, glided onto a pontoon and spent ages trying to start the thing, in front of a crown standing on the lock - then I noticed, discreetly attached it and went and parked.

Mercury · 07 August 2013, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

I think everyone has played the why will it not start game only to discover it's because the killcord is not attached. I know I have done it.

Yea, done that and worn the T shirt.

SimonCh · 08 August 2013, 08:01

Well I'm glad that I'm not the only one! I'm just glad I spotted it before my mate did, or I would never live it down!

Sixy_the_red · 12 August 2013, 13:21

...or got to the end of the street after a carb re-build on the bike, worried to hell why it's popping and farting only to realise I'd left the fuel taps turned off...

paddlers · 12 August 2013, 13:52

Done it, mainly with the sib !! Cord on left wrist, pull away with right hand to start it only to notice that I've disconnected the cord from the engine..... DOH
My other favourite is getting the whole family loaded into the boat and noticing that the key for the boat is still in the log cabin/car....