So Your Boat Won't Start | Boating 101

[@khail58]

In any hobby or activity it seems that there’s at least one content creator like you who stands out by taking the time to really put out thoughtful, well-produced tutorials videos. Sometimes it’s just a matter of digging to find them. For a new boat owner like myself, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to do this and do it right. I’ve been in your position before and people don’t understand how much time goes into “simple videos” with multiple camera angles, lav audio, and tight editing. Thanks again and keep up the great work! I will point all my new boat owner friends to your channel.

[@ChantelBoats]

Thank you for your comment!! It is a lot of work, but worth it if it helps new boaters have a better time on the water! Or better yet, brings more people into boating!

[@zeihseven2183]

Long story short. I got stranded a the engine wouldn’t start because the throttle lever jumped out from starting position. Thanks to your video I was able to get my kids home without having to call a tow boat on a Sunday afternoon. Thanks a million!

[@michaelmckinney5954]

All great ideas. I’ve also had instances where a breaker/fuse has tripped. There’s typically one behind the battery switch and more by the helm station (and others by ballast pumps, engine, etc) Maybe another thing to check? Thanks for all the great content, Chantal! You’ve taught my family how to wakesurf!

[@Andrews8503]

My wife and I are new boaters and your videos are very helpful. Thank you

[@brandenbates2856]

Me and mine too, we watch all her videos.

[@mattcandiepetty3933]

The Neutral got me last year. like you said I got my meter out and traced the entire electrical system and found voltage to one side of the Neutral switch only, I thought the switch was bad. My boy pointed out that the boat was not in Neutral. Started right up!

[@ChantelBoats]

ha ha ha ha this is great.

[@sinistar6000]

Neutral got me last year too. Thought it was a dead battery, so I called out lake assist. They hooked up the jumpers and still nothing. I jogged the gear shift and heard it click into neutral, then promptly felt a wave of stupidity rush over me. I was too embarrassed to admit to lake assist, and the 5 passengers on the boat who had just waited 45 minutes that it was just in gear the whole time. So, I just rolled with it, thanked the guy for the jump and headed back to the dock.

[@ChantelBoats]

😂😂

[@JPierquet9]

I always keep a portable battery pack so I can jump one of the batteries, if need be. I have never had to use it for my boat, but have had to use it while helping others with a dead battery

[@VI-pp4jo]

Check out NOCO jump starter. It's an insanely useful bit of kit. Essentially a power bank modified to deliver high amps and jump start an engine, to the point where you can start an engine WITHOUT a battery. Granted this is for cars but unless boat engines are massively more powerful, it should operate just as well. Definitely changes your life.

[@ix0s]

To anyone watching this after trying to get their boat to keep running when it dies rather quickly (and there’s no way you’re out of gas), consider vapor lock as a cause. Pop the hatch, run the blower, try to remove as much heat from the engine as you can. Consider starting the boat with half throttle (not in gear, obviously). You may need to keep cranking it to fix the pressure in the fuel system.

[@kathycampbell663]

Wished I’d seen your video before I took my “new to me” 2005 chaparral SSI 180 out. It was so sad to get the excited kids out of the boat and back into the car to go home. Thank you very much for your detailed videos. I’ve watched a few and most of them act like the watcher is somewhat experienced.

[@ChantelBoats]

What ended up being the problem? Easy fix?

[@reaganw]

Thank you! Our boat would not start this morning. Ran fine yesterday. Took batteries out: charged one and replaced one. Re-installed batteries. Turned key. Nothing. Watched your (this) video. Shift lever was all the way forward. Placed into neutral. Turned key. Boat started and ran fine. Yay! Praise the Lord!

[@ChantelBoats]

YESSSS!

[@victorpoliashov2467]

Awesome tips and keep up all these videos for new boaters. Also I would add check your circuit breakers. Ive had ballast bumps or items near trip them and some stuff might be on but won't start the boat.

[@zachreuter2117]

Thank god youre a godess we were stranded and it was the first excursion, shit wasnt in neutral

[@ChantelBoats]

Lol I love this

[@MrJoeylo]

OMG!!!!! You saved me. Lol I live in Florida and I bought a second hand Baja hydro jet 4 cycle boat. It was a fixer upper. Cosmetic mostly. The engine is great. Early 2000's model .After allot of elbow grease, it's finally sea worthy. It looks great. However,,,, yesterday I finally finished the boat. All gassed up and hitched. I thought I would start it up in my drive way to make sure it starts before launching. WELL it wouldnt start. So I went on you tube and found you. You mentioned 5 things to look for. It wasn't until you mentioned the kill switch. I immediately went to the dash. It's an older vessel but I did find it. A faded tiny button on the dash. On the key line there's a clip that connects to this button. Wen I attached it, the engine started. Oh yeah,,, um,,, The throttle was not in neutral. Problem solved by watching your vid. Thanks hun! Your the bomb.!!!!! I felt dumb in front of my girlfriend. 🙄

[@ChantelBoats]

So glad I could help! Have fun on that new boat!

[@chrispdx5755]

If you hear a single click but the starter doesn't turn over, it's most likely a bad starter solenoid -- easy to replace. Test this by jumping the two large contacts on the solenoid.

[@guenterhaines8898]

Neutral has gotten me more than once…

[@bobbyshobbies8422]

I was getting my boat ready for summer, battery charged and installed correctly - no loose connections but still nothing! But, the battery switch was not on!!! Thanks for the reminder!!!! Whew I was worried!!! 👍👍👍

[@ChantelBoats]

Ha ha glad it was something easy!

[@ltownandfriends4531]

keep a lithium pack in your boat, especially if you running a single battery setup.

[@SJ-pl6cq]

Thank you so much. 😅 I am the idiot who boat was not in neutral and thought I was having issues.

[@ChantelBoats]

🤣

[@kathycampbell663]

Someone should seriously start classes for beginners! I’d sign up! I’ll just keep watching your videos ❤

[@rodneywilson6257]

Awesome 👍

[@bankfishingislife5484]

my key is on the throttle handle if i pull in the button to change it from neutral to forward or revers and barely move it into forward or reverse without engaging it then it seems to start, before this it had to be in neutral and i would have to push it kinda forward while it was locked in neutral to trigger it.. so ya im not sure what it is. i do commercial fishing and i just set lines tonight got back to the ramp.. my trim was stuck trying to go down for some reason.. couldnt get it to stop.. went grabbed trailer got back to boat moved throttle back and forth between reverse and forward trim finally stopped auto engaging but then boat wouldnt start. got it home and was just holding down the button and barely going past neutral and getting it to start but ya.. do i need to replace the full throttle handle set up or do you think its loose connection. i have no clue about boats. i can rebuild a motorcycle engine but with a boat ive never had one till a couple months ago and ya i dont know much about em. and say if i did get a new throttle handle same type are they easy to replace if ive never done it. they boat places near me suck i live in the country and they charge too much and do bad job. so i would rather not go to one. lol nice boat by the way.

[@mackenziechoi]

this is great explanation I've done gear up and try to start engine

[@mus2896]

Thanks!

[@nicholekennedy362]

Oh that kill switch has gotten me several times

[@ChantelBoats]

😂

[@meccamoney5843]

Saved my day

[@anthonyholmes71]

Gra8t info, thanks for sharing.

[@mackenziechoi]

hi can you also show us how to set anchor? I will love to hear from you!

[@boatingwithbartbarnes6272]

Great Video!

[@rangosteve]

my first I/O boat... was acting fussy to start... finally started... then stalled out while parking my Explorer and trailer. it started back up, took off and fished around... about the 3rd time I tried to restart it just cranked over without starting... would that be my kill switch going bad? sounds just like trying to start it without clipping on the kill switch clip... I did that once.. 😂. but it's kicking in and out randomly... 1st time I took her out, she wouldn't start the second time... let her sit, then she started... 1994 Excel SL20 cuddy with 4.3 liter Alpha One XL

[@mus2896]

Thank you so much for this video, we accidentally pulled the kill switch

[@AussieRic]

my motor goes good for 20 minutes then the primer is flat, after keep squeezing the primer for 5 minutes then the motor starts but only runs max 5 knots all the way back to the boat ramp if i try go faster it stalls, any ideas because it does go fast for the first 20 minutes every time I go out then primer flat again? I dont think its a blockage as it runs perfect for first 20 min each time, has an underfloor fuel tank. Please help...

[@scottmitcheltree4182]

You are good young lady!

[@daveengstrom9250]

The shifter in neutral should be the first one.

[@MrKevcola11]

Awesome

[@hmoob704]

Or bad starter??

[@mannysalgado7124]

Chantel!!!

[@ChantelBoats]

Manny!!!!

[@BlueGillage]

And when its none of those?

[@ChantelBoats]

Going into the shop!

[@donaldsenge2432]

Chantel you are awesome. Love your videos. Can I email you? I have some boat questions. Aka whIch boat should I get

[@ChantelBoats]

Sure. [e-mail]

[@countrylifeisfineletsgo5931]

Thanks awesome video. New to this stuff. Can or have you done one on daily checks / maintenance. Like lube rudder or cables etc. thanks

[@marklaas4475]

I dont think alternator will charge i just wouldnt turn the boat off 🤣 could be wrong but just incase! Lol

[@thegiftedgold1820]

Hi I want to Learn to wake surf but be have a like tube/ski hook should we try that or put it on a side cleat

[@ChantelBoats]

Hi! What kind of boat do you have?

[@thegiftedgold1820]

Chantel Herbert I have a crown line

[@ChantelBoats]

@@thegiftedgold1820 Inboard/outboards like your Crownline are not safe to wake surf behind. The prop is right there at the back of the boat, not tucked under the boat like an inboard, so it isn't safe for a rider to be there, that close to the prop. If you want to get on a surfboard and just cruise around, you could do that with a longer wakeboard line, in which case I'd use the ski hook.

[@thegiftedgold1820]

Chantel Herbert thank you

[@Cappy_playx]

One more thing the engine

[@TheJustonemore]

I tried all these things...then realized I ran it out of gas :-(

[@ChantelBoats]

Oh no! That one gets all of us at some point, too

[@therccelebrityspeedfresh5393]

My Traxxas M41 boat just broke down it won’t start. I’m stranded for ever. Just kidding

[@dirttdude]

No no no no.... What you want to do is call your boat dealership and throw a massive hissy fit, go totally Karen and demand that they come fix your boat immediately, be persistent and make threats, it doesn't even matter if you trailered it to another state.

[@ChantelBoats]

That's certainly one way to go about it...

[@dirttdude]

@@ChantelBoats Yeah! When i was a service tech for a Mastercraft and Centurion dealership i went on these 'no start' calls at least once a week.... One time i drove 500 miles one way to put a guys boat in neutral for him. He was very angry that it took me 12 hours to get there, irate when he saw me yawn and start his boat and i thought he was going to have a stroke when i gave him the bill.

[@DirtNassty]

@@dirttdude 🤣🤣