Need to go somewhere and the outboard won’t start? Or worried about trying to go somewhere and having a problem with the motor and not getting home?
I’m not an outboard mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but close to 50 years of running them have taught me what the common problems are. 14 simple things to check if the outboard won’t start — along with how to fix them at least well enough to get home. No mechanical skills needed!
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Casey Westenrieder says
Hi Carolyn. I really enjoy this page. I am not a cruiser yet, but I dream of the days I can live on my boat. I currently have a trailer sailor … a MacGregor 25 which I have to use the outboard motor frequently. One thing I did not notice on your list of outboard problems is the use of ethanol gasoline will leave a residue in the carburetor. I removed my carb on my outboard motor that wouldn’t start and I found a large glob of jelly-looking stuff. I cleaned it out and replaced it and it started right up. Ethanol gas may be ok for large motors, but is no good for a small outboard motor (or lawnmower motor). I have been told that if I cannot get gasoline that does NOT have ethanol, it is best to always add some STA-BIL in the tank. I’m not a mechanic, but I have been told that this will burn out all the water and ethanol in the gas. True or false? I don’t know but I haven’t had the carburetor problems like that since.
Thank you VERY much for all your tips and ideas!!
Casey
Carolyn Shearlock says
Yes and no. Regular Sta-Bil stabilizes fuel while in storage; Sta-Bil also makes a treatment for fuels with ethanol. See it here on Amazon. It’s fairly expensive (buying non-ethanol fuel is usually cheaper). The STP product is considerably less expensive. See it on Amazon. We try to buy non-ethanol fuel, but always keep some of the ethanol treatment on hand for times when we can’t find it.