How to start a Mercury 40, 50, 60 hp outboard with a DEAD Battery

After a couple issues with power on the lake I had to resort to the old fashioned method. My battery when running the finders and other accessories is at 12.2 volts which indicates it is on the outs.

[@cigar4rod]

I will say it publicly but I know I’m not the only one…didn’t even know I had that rope in my Classic, now I’m off to check. Thanks Mark!

[@dropshotfishing7808]

I'd definitely recommend leaving flywheel cover off and just put cowl back on till back on land for safety and time in that situation. Good video

[@MarkBlackstock]

I simply wanted to show it could be done. I understand most aren’t comfortable working on a running motor.

[@jostafew]

Good video. I was reading the manual for my new Tohatsu 60 which talks about a similar dead battery start situation. One key difference though, they tell you specifically to leave the flywheel cover and cowl off, presumably to avoid risk of making contact with moving parts during reassembly.

[@JoshSmith-wo7zw]

Mercury has been doing this for years now. Back in the 70's and 80's they were doing this as well.

[@dsmith2858]

One of your top, most useful vids yet! Keep them coming.

[@tdmcolo]

The problem with my 40hp EFI 3 cylinders, that the EFI system needs 12v to operate itself. So, if your battery is really empty, the alternator will not give 12v to EFI system! Last year, my battery was empty, I started the motor with cables and another boat battery, it started directly but when I unplugged the cables the motor stopped.

[@kevincrosby8994]

Great video and much appreciate - new boat owner guy from Michigan

[@Lightspeed30]

That was very clean and informative Mark! Thanks for explaining that! Keep the videos coming bro.

[@extremeboating7347]

Excellent video! I actually was placing a new cowl cover on my 50 convert 60 HP Merc engine for my Classic XL about a month or so ago and saw a bag in there with what appeared to be a rope for the flywheel. I imagined it was so much but never pulled the rope out. It's good to see that they prepared for the worst of situations and were good enough to provide you something to get you out of a pinch if that ever becomes an issue. You got a subscriber brother. I'll be making videos again soon and will be documenting some of my takes on the Bass Trackers for mods and tips as well. Great job!

[@tlukins]

Mark, Very good info. I knew this was possible but I have never had to do it. It's nice to see it in practice. Thanks

[@jmccain8147]

I like to think of myself as the Idea Man behind your genius videos. Glad you knew what to do when the situation arose. Let the great starting battery hunt commence.

[@cencalclassicxl3875]

Awesome Mark thank you for the tutorial. Very helpful. Keep em coming brother.

[@T_J_Fishin]

Awesome job Mark another great video.

[@MrHubbard738]

Thanks for the handy tip. you know that will happen to everyone at least once. The first time you learn you need a new cranking battery. Thanks for showing me what to do.

[@muggz3570]

I asked dealer what those tools were they told me they didn’t know. Dude this is awesome thanks.

[@rtoth123456]

Thanks for the video. I wish I knew about it about a month ago. But, now I know what to do next time my battery will go and I am in the middle of the lake.

[@Chris-hi9ti]

Whenever someone gets a new boat I always tell them to practice that on the water, practice popping a spare plug in from the inside while the boats on the trailer and make sure you have enough blocking to actually change the trailer tire if you needed to.

[@marlonbishop]

thank you! learning all i can before fixing mine and heading to the water!

[@bcroft68bc]

That is so cool. I just checked my 50 hp merc and sure enough, the rope is there. Thanks for the information.

[@PaulGuinn11]

Great informational video Mark.

[@tsuyoshiislandrider4864]

Mahalo Mark for making this video, did not know that. Always saw the plastic cover and assumed it couldn't be rope started.

[@vtseller]

I just picked up my first boat last fall (2018 Tracker TXW 175) so as a total newbie this video is beyond helpful! Thank you!

[@jimsiggy]

I just got my first too, also a Tracker 175 TF, but 2013.

[@justinclark6053]

Huge help for a beginner, thank you for sharing!

[@tommanley2025]

thanks for having a video on this. Very informative.

[@johnnylm0583]

thanks Mark just bought a new a new boat with a 40 HP Mercury Jet Engine had no idea,

[@AmbassadorsoftheHunt]

Thank you for the video. I did not know I had to have that tool to start it manually

[@markkarklins1719]

Fantastic! i now have the confidence if it ever goes wrong.. Thank you...

[@haveallbeentaken]

Had no idea you could do this. Thanks!

[@joemes3888]

Thank you for the video, I'm a newbie boater and found this very helpful.

[@mrearloutdoors]

Thank you for the information. The dealership where I brought the boat never told me about where the rope was at.

[@andrestobar530]

Thankyou for posting this video ! It got me out of a jam tonight.

[@MarkBlackstock]

Glad I could help.

[@bobbrinck3324]

Great video Mark, thank you.

[@octaviofuentes7781]

Very helpful video my man thanks for sharing

[@bidkid2020]

I never had to do that knock on wood very good video now I know what to do thanks

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Just subscribed, great information, just bought a new Mercury 60 4-stroke 🎣👍🏼🇺🇸

[@JD-gh5op]

I’d be quite upset at this video if my troller didn’t bail me out 3 miles from the ramp a couple years ago 😂 Peace of mind now with this videos information. Thank you

[@phillipmeredith1645]

It helped me, I had no idea what that tool was for

[@rickcorrea5225]

Great info Mark .

[@Wooduck]

Very good vid which is much appreciated by this viewer.

[@davidmarshall8265]

Thanks for showing this video. Good info.

[@Crownbagavenger]

Wow I didn’t know they gave you a backup like that! Great info! On my fishing boats I always packed a cheap set of jumper cables for just such a situation, and needed it a couple times… I could piggyback off a trolling motor battery to get me back to the trailer if SHTF.

[@scottnicholas5052]

Great info Mark

[@TheFlynxman]

Glad I actually saw how that’s done. Thx

[@uramag7]

never knew you could do this .. good to know .. thanks!

[@ozanveryeri1586]

Good clean job and thanks a lot.

[@sleepwell489]

Cool video that I guarantee has saved some butt’s. Thank you!

[@motoman3290]

Great video Mark not many know about that and the dealers seem not to tell ya . Bum shoulder now so I carry a jump starter not much bigger than a phone lol

[@tomp3146]

Thanks very much... I needed to know this...

[@afarley17]

Thanks a million, great info

[@kevinlawrence3105]

Smart video ! Thanks.

[@lifeoutdoors2day357]

Bruh this is awesome, had no idea, thank you

[@larrybuehler3001]

Great Video, Thank You!

[@michaelbernard5477]

If you have an additional battery for trolling motor, just Cary set of jumper cables

[@Athon08]

But if you been trolling all day and not enough juice to jump lol

[@archer71au]

friggin brill mate !

[@GCJNash]

Thanks that was good to see, however I think I would just put the engine cover back on and leave the small flywheel cover off until I was back in port, just in case.

[@Whatitdo24_7]

Very nice very informative Thank you

[@turanturkoglu745]

Very helpful thank you very much👍👍

[@captainantarctica7216]

Thanks. It really helps!!!

[@bubbasboy]

Awesome video

[@adriancleveland4838]

WTF I’m going to look under my cowling right now… that’s awesome thanks Mark.

[@5teve..]

Great info!

[@vietnam2513]

Very useful bro 👍

[@guns-usa8564]

I agree with the other guy I didn’t even know that rope existed I just went out and put sockets in my boat 👍

[@Eb42950]

Great video! One thing that I did was to add a second battery to my boat. This helps alot as I can run and charge them independently or use both together if more power is needed for starting/

[@aukevinj]

If you’re running a 12v trolling motor, then could also swap motor leads to it to start

[@MarkBlackstock]

@aukevinj of course you could.

[@johnnyberg9008]

thank you man that is good advise

[@TerraFirmaX]

That is great info

[@DoubleTFishing]

Thanks mark!!

[@leemccullough558]

Thank you good video 😊😊😊

[@ebrahimjahangiri2566]

good job very helfull , thank you.

[@RM-my9dn]

Great Vid!!!

[@georgevranos8618]

Now that is good to know ! Thanks

[@Nardage]

A rope hidden under the cover? What the! Very nice.

[@jaimeastin]

I got caught in tennis situation one time in my heritage. Bib did not have trolls or plyers... I could not do it. Had to use the trolling motor all the way back to dock. Now I be keep tools. I also went back to using a house battery.

[@colbyscott9822]

Dammit. Wish I had known this yesterday. Had to use the trolling motor 3.5 miles back to the dock. Good thing I went lithium for the TM batteries. Still had 50% battery left by the time I got back.

[@operatingengineer520]

Well after seeing this, I had to go to the garage and see if I had a pull rope in my 60 Merc, and I do! One thing I noticed, you wrapped the rope clockwise. Was there a label stating rope wrap direction after you took the 4 bolts loose? I’ve never had to utilize this life skill, so I’m new to the pull rope thing😂. Thanks for the video, I’ll be set if a bad day pops up!

[@mustangracer5124]

Got a new Merc 90 hp. 4 stroke.. will look for the rope.

[@mohdzaidi5754]

Thanks for your sharing about the 60hp 4 stroke.

[@TOURMANBOB]

I don't think I have the facility to use a pull rope on the newer 2017 Mercury 90HP. I had a battery problem but I had to use my Microstart Anti Gravity battery booster to get it started. I keep one of these for use with my 4 and 2 wheeled vehicles. Saved the day out on the water.....

[@austincolt3306]

Good stuff.

[@buckguide]

Thank you I did not know that

[@colinmead8996]

Thank you That’s going to help someone get it done🇦🇺💛✅ 🇺🇸

[@penilled-persons]

I'll try to remember not to put my fingers into the flying wheel of death. 😂

[@jamesshaffer1523]

Thanks for the tutorial. Hope I never have to do that.

[@gspotmxgilmore5080]

I have the same exact boat thanks the info.. only problem I have is the hat.. go NOLES!! Just poking fun nothing personal .. LOL

[@burs_bobby_iaga]

Great advice but I’d just drive back as soon as it’s started then deal with putting everything back on after. Especially if low on gas.

[@Labradorslobber]

I’d throw the cowling on. I’d do the fly wheel cover at home or in the lot.

[@JodyDWard]

Great video. Could save a life! But there’s no need to put all the covers back on before you get to the dock. You can do it all then

[@Jay-mv5th]

Excellent info. Glad you did this video.

[@jimmielittle877]

I wondered how people started with out a pull rope? Thx🌻

[@feegureeetout]

My omc 40hp has a manual prime lever for cold rope starts. A lever you flip by the carb, then squeeze primer once to prime. Put lever back to normal position, then start boat. I keep my rope in my "emergency tool kit".

[@MarkBlackstock]

These new four strokes don’t require all that

[@studybug252]

Thanks sooo much

[@zulmamak3655]

Good sir...

[@grandwazuski]

Should always carry an anchor and sufficient rode and not depend on a trolling motor to save your boat from crashing.

[@odineyrogeriodornelesmedin3260]

Thank you

[@cradz4979]

FYI you don’t need to put the flywheel cover back on. Put the cowl back on a and get to shore. Address the flywheel cover later on when it’s not running.

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

My 03 Yamaha 25 4-stroke with electric start has a knockout for a recoil rope. I wish I could find the recoil kit for it so I could have both electric and rope start. My local shop says it doesn’t exist, but I’ve seen outboards with both. Great tutorial, hopefully never needed.

[@TeamTnA44]

Mine has both ..Its a mercury 30

[@cindymunro1]

Very clear concise video. I would like to know if this works with motors with EFI, or do motors these day by pass it to provide the option of alternative starts such as this?

[@MarkBlackstock]

Good question I honestly dont know. Pull the cowling off of an older model and see if it has the ability to attach a pull rope.

[@MainManMattchu]

Thanks man

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

if you have a front battery to run the trolling motor (spot lock) , swap it out with the rear battery and head home.

[@MarkBlackstock]

That works to

[@Thailand-User-1]

Thanks

[@mozee01]

did not know this. Same principle as a lawn motor I guess. TY