Nothing ruins a Saturday faster than a boat that won't crank or fire. Most no-start problems on the Bay come down to one of five things — here's how to narrow it down before calling for help.
What to Check
Battery and connections
Voltage below 12.4 V or corroded terminals will keep your boat from cranking. Check the main battery switch is on, then test voltage at the starter.
Fuel
Stale fuel, water in the fuel, or a clogged filter will keep an engine from firing. If the fuel is more than 6 months old, that's the most likely culprit.
Kill switch / lanyard
On outboards, a missing or damaged kill switch lanyard prevents starting. Easy fix, easy thing to overlook.
Spark / ignition
On gas engines, fouled plugs or a failed coil cuts spark. On diesels, glow plugs or a failed lift pump can cause hard starts.
Safety interlocks
Many boats won't start out of neutral or with the throttle advanced. Make sure shifter is centered and throttle at idle.
When to Call Us
If voltage and fuel check out and you can't find an obvious cause within 15 minutes, call us — we have diagnostic scan tools for every major engine brand and can usually identify the issue on the first visit.