See full version: How to Start a Boat Motor
1. Engine tilted fully down (this makes it easier for fuel to get to the carburetors).
2. Squeeze primer bulb till firm.
3. Advance throttle in neutral to 2/3s.
4. Turn key on, push to choke (or pull out choke) and crank at same time.
5. Release choke, return throttle to neutral after ignition. here
Outboards start like a car; just tilt them down and turn the key. At least newer ones do. But it wasn't always that way. In the past, you had to learn how to start an outboard motor. Carbureted two-strokes can be fussy, especially when cold. And if you ever can't get one start, check out our 25 reasons why your boat engine won't start.
Also, make sure the tank is vented. If it's a built-in tank, make sure the vent fitting is not partially obstructed by an insect nest or wax or something.
Now, there's still plenty of carbureted two-strokes in service. And how to start a 2-stroke outboard motor is as important as ever. Maybe you own one, or maybe you're considering a used boat that's fitted with one. Perhaps it's an outboard in need of a rebuild. In either case, here's a basic 5-step starting procedure you can use to fire-up that oldie but goodie on the transom.
Takeaway: Outboard engines are the only propulsion designed from the drawing board specifically for marine application. more
Somewhere in the harness that you disconnected is a white wire. Connect that white wire to the battery ground to stop the motor from running. more
Somewhere in the motor harness is a yellow wire. Apply a 12 volt power source to that wire. [links]
Run a jumper wire from the 12 volt positive lead on the battery cable, at the point where the red battery cable connects to the motor, to the brown wire on the starter motor solenoid. The motor should crank. Whether it will start or not depends upon a number of variables. If the motor is in good condition and has fuel it should start and run. more
Somewhere in the motor harness is a yellow wire. Apply a 12 volt power source to that wire.
OK, thanks . I tried jumping the starter without the gas line hooked up because I had not had a chance to haul off the old fuel yet. I just wanted to see if it would try to kick over. The starter and the flywheel spun but not very fast or smooth so I think that I am not getting enough juice through the starter nut (it has a pretty good amount of paint on it). I did not continue as I kept smelling a nasty odor and smoke came up out of the bottom of the motor housing (not the foot). I believe this was from some small pieces of cowling foam that looked to have gotten singed from the sparks, but I have to investigate more before I am sure. I inspected every wire I could see and nothing was melted or warm (it did not smell like a fried wire). I should also mention here that I had previously removed what I believe to be the rectifier . the SELOC book does not show this but the ishopmarine diagram does. It had a red wire that was fried and to my extremely limited knowledge I didn't think testing the motor with this removed would be an issue as I didn't need to worry about it charging a battery . if I am wrong, please let me know!
Can I buy a cheap ignition switch, or short a couple of pins to start the motor? I would use muffs or a barrel w/water, just wanting to know before spending $300 on a control box plus new deck and furniture. more
Re: Start without control box . here
I started mine the first time by unplugging the red plug and jumping across the solenoid, and kiled it with the choke. dont put just any ole switch on because the ones in the control box work different than a regular switch. here
another wiring harness to a six pin connector with
NO PIN | Gray
Brown/White | Black
Gray/White | Red more
BTW, how hard is it to remove an outboard of this size and is a homemade stand a good idea?
John Williams is a man who has devoted his life to saving old Seagulls. Following the Blackwater River to meet him in his corner of rural Essex, I began to form a picture of him: he would fall into that peculiarly English category: the kindly, eccentric old boy; king of the garden shed and fusty, friendly curator of his own childhood.
The Seagull Outboard was originally designed as a workboat engine for inshore fishermen and their wooden powerboats, and others who needed a simple, robust motor. After the war, small boat cruising exploded in popularity – and so did the Seagull.
Simplicity: single cylinder and transfer port [links]