Holy Smokes

Time is ticking away on the preparation phase of our journey and it's time to focus attention on the equipment necessary to complete our trip. The Blue Fin has been moved from storage into Matt's garage and we're busy making things ready.  It seems logical that the first thing needing our attention is the motor and while we didn't experience any particular problems with it last year it only makes sense to give it some special attention lest our trip be in peril if it should fail. You might recall that I bought the boat and motor used from a private party and, in not knowing its history, the experts tell us that it warrants a thorough going through.

Here's the list of things we checked:

Replace Timing Belt (and using the old one as a spare) 

Replace Spark Plugs

Check Water Pump Impeller  (have a spare along for the trip)

Check and clean the Fuel Filter/Water Trap

Change Gear Oil in Lower Unit

Change Engine Oil and Filter

Grease the tilt and steering mechanisms

After we completed the list we started it up.  At first it sounded a little rough and then eventually died. This quickly put us at panic level "yellow" and shifted our confidence to worry. Our heads has already engaged the process of analyzing the problem when Matt noticed the gas line was unhooked. Just as quick as panic had set in it was gone. Re-connecting the gas line made a heck of a difference and after turning the key the motor took right off. Witness the photo below with the engine purring along and running smoothly.

The 50 Hp Mercury Coming to Life after a Winter's Rest.
That's not smoke, its steam as it was cool outside.

We have a long list of things to look at on the main boat that's too numerous to cover here so I'll serve up some more information on that later.  If anybody has more wisdom to contribute on boat motor maintenance I'm all ears.