Ready or Not, Open Water's Coming!

Fishing dreams are slowly turning towards open water.  We know it'll arrive.  Crappies first, then finally the walleye season opener.  When it warms, everything bites.  That is, if we can get to the ramp and fire up the outboard.

Many have experienced it; most have observed it.  Boat problems do occur; most are self-inflicted.  The cause for these break-downs (or not starting or not running smoothly) took this reporter to experts.  One of those, Pete Johnston, service manager at Bay Lake Marine said, "At least 90 percent of the problems are caused by fuel - and not treating it as the life-blood of any outboard."

Long-time Brainerd-area guide (now retired), and still on the water most days, George Cooper, Jr., maintains his 26-year old Ranger boat and 15-year old outboard in mint condition.  His "getting-ready-for-the-season" tips are from the vantage point of an experienced mechanic, successful guide and fisherman who has run the same boat year after year.  Jim Wentworth, electronics and rigging expert, also offers his advice.

The title of Johnston's boating advice might be, "Don't be Fuelish."  He recently returned from the Mercury Marine technical school, where instructors told the mechanics that gasoline is good for two weeks.  He smiled when sharing this information, and said, "Storing a boat over-winter is more than two weeks."

Fresh gas is mandatory.  "If followed, this alone would prevent most carburetor problems," he said.  It keeps carbon build-up to a minimum.  With every tank of gas, Johnston said, "Add fuel-system cleaner and stabilizer to two-stroke and four-stroke motors, new or old."  His advice to those who don't fish or boat often, "Buy only what you need; burn it up; add fresh next time out."

Johnston said gas has 10 percent alcohol.  Outboards have vented gas tanks unlike cars which are sealed systems.  The fuel system draws in outside air and moisture.  Water and alcohol bond and sink to the bottom of the tank.  With most alcohol out of the fuel, octane is lowered making high-performance outboards especially vulnerable.

To keep people on the water, he equips every new boat (and those in for repairs) with a water separating fuel filer.  The fuel filter is mounted between the fuel tank and the outboard.  At less than $75, it's insurance worth every penny.  "You'd never want a big slug of water and alcohol to make it to your cylinders, or poof!" Johnston said.

Other preparations for the season include buying only oil with the same label as your outboard.  Outboards operate at 5,000 to 6,000 RPMs when running down the lake.  A Suburban runs about 2,000 RPMs.  The right lubrication will keep an engine running longer.  For those mixing gas and oil, he said follow instructions, never adding more than called for.

Easy to check are gaskets, trailer lights, the gas line and prop shafts.  Both Mercury and Yamaha tell customers to change their fuel lines every three years.  Systems with oil filters between the oil reservoir and the outboard should be changed every year.  The water pump impeller should be changed every three years.  To check the water pump, back the boat into the water, start it (still on the trailer), and watch to see if it pumps at idle.  Parts and labor are about $100, but without water flowing up and around the engine, the cost is replacement of the entire powerhead or a new outboard.

Another tell-tale sign of a worn water pump impeller is when the over-heat warning horn goes off when idling.  If it goes off when revving the outboard, and sounds again after slowing down, make an appointment with your dealer.

On the Merc OptiMax outboards, he said the air compressor/alternator belt should be changed every three years.  New plugs are always a good idea.  It's the first thing Johnston checks when someone brings in a rough-running outboard.

The lower unit grease is another spring checklist item.  If cloudy or milky, have the dealer drain, check which seal is leaking, replace the seal, re-fill the lower unit and go fishing.  He suggests that anglers pull their props every month, check the shaft for fishing line, remove the line, and replace the prop.  Line can cut through the prop shaft seal.  He offered one more in-season tip, "Always trailer with outboards in as vertical a position as possible. It's much easier on everything."

Johnston can be reached at Bay Lake Marine:  218-678-2096.

George "Coop" Cooper worked on outboards for many years, and wrenched on every motor imaginable from train engines to cars to lawnmowers.  Before fishing this spring, Coop's list of "must-do" items is impressive.  It could save some embarrassment in a couple months.

 

1.      Check all boat and trailer electrical connections and lights.

2.      Clean terminals and fuse connectors with baking soda and water.

3.      Clean the battery case (top and sides), also.

4.      After dry, spray all electrical fittings with corrosion preventative.

5.      Make sure battery terminals are clean and coated.

6.      Check and clean all fuses, trailer light bulbs, receptacles and lights.

7.      Check tire air pressure and check spare tire.

8.      Inspect wheel bearings; grease as necessary.

9.      Check lower unit lubrication.

10.  Clean boat and polish hull.

11.  Grease any outboard fittings.

12.  Tighten bolts, screws, lug nuts, trailer winch stand bolts.

13.  Lube any linkage (if accessible).

14.  Check manual and grease/lube starter shaft - if accessible.

15.  Check winch strap.

16.  Start, run, and then replace plugs.

17.  Check fire extinguisher.

18.  Check fuel lines and fuel primer bulb.

19.  Check PFDs (life jackets) and throw cushion.

20.  Add boat safety and fishing equipment.

21.  Check first aid kit and update.

22.  Check tie lines, bow line, anchor line.

23.  Add a couple extra boat plugs this year.

24.  Inspect prop shaft for fishing line; grease if necessary.

25.  Add some extra fuses.

26.  Replace fuel.

27.  Make sure your boat and trailer meets state licensing requirements


Now in his 40th year as a boat-rigger, and one of the most respected electronics experts in the industry, Jim Wentworth, said, "At least 50 percent of electronics and electric trolling motor problems are due to batteries."  At his shop north of Nisswa on Hwy 371, Wentworth said he's seen it all, and batteries are the highest priority item in the boat.

He said, "Check the terminals and circuit breakers.  Clean them.  Tighten the battery cables.  If anything is corroded, replace it immediately."  He also said a glance of the transducer would show if it needs to be tightened or re-aligned.  On electronics units, he said, if they turn on, great.  But, he said GPS and Global Mapping manufacturers offer many upgrades on line and should be done prior to season.  Clean electronics screens with regular eye-glass cleaners and lens tissues.  His shop is Fish Electronics, 218-963-4375

Have a great fishing and boating season!!