Baller EricW Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 Wondering how many people use their blower in the boat? Anyone ever seen a boat catch fire by not using it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Marco Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 I watched a boat go up in flames years ago at Lake Powell when they went to start it. I faithfully use my blower if the boat has been sitting still for any length of time. Chances of a fuel leak are small if you check for them regularly, but the blower is such an easy fail safe, I don't see a reason not to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Roger Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 I run it before starting the boat whenever I add fuel, otherwise no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GaryWilkinson Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 Yes ! I use it all the time after I saw George Athans boat cover go flying after starting at our lake in the 70's. Small insurance for big problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ForrestGump Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 Saw a boat 2 years ago make heap big boom on startup and burn to the waterline. Blower was broken and they never repaired it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted July 9, 2012 Supporting Member Share Posted July 9, 2012 For a cold-start, I like to just open the cover, take a quick peak around, and then close it. This lets the air exchange, and also (I think!) would give me a big old whiff of gasoline if there were a problem. And it's a lot quicker than 4 minutes of blowering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 I haven't run a blower in well over a decade. Thinking about though, I should probably start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GaryWilkinson Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 The open the cover method works best for cold starts IMO. Also like Nathan said, it's good to give a quick peak under the hood at the start of every session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDNAH2OSKIER Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Yes, but one of our drivers never does, makes me crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryno Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I've seen a boat blow the cover off and go up in flames because of not using a blower. Admittedly it was an older boat, however the outcome was pretty nasty; one child got burns over his body and one of the adults got burns on one leg. The only way we could put the flames out was tilting the outboard motor up on our boat and dousing it with water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryno Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 This is probably the same as the handle guard argument... More that likely you will never encounter a problem - but why take the chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ral Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 We do not use the blower, but we open the engine box before starting the boat in the morning, and we also leave the box slightly open when the day is hot and we stop it for more than 30 mins. If we do not do this, the boat tends to stall... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller teammalibu Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 Its only there to keep your boat from blowing sky high so why take time to flip the switch. Seen it happen up close not pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller slalomboy96 Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 most of the time, I also run it all the time in really hot weather to get more colder air around the motor, I think it helps it run better/cooler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GAJ0004 Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 I always run mine when the boat it at idle. I always open the engine cover first thing before starting. I open the cover after I have put the boat back on the lift to help cool down the engine too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ScaredOfCorbets Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 Always used it. I also have the habit of flipping the cover open/close couple times just to draw fresh air in when I walk by it. I turn the blower on between sets as well, but not when the boat is running, because I think it used to interfere with PP, due to voltage draw. Also, probably less of an issue for current direct fuel injected engines, unlike the carburetor and TBI boats that has fuel evaporating inside of the cover. But I still have the same habit, just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwillygood Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 yep, pretty much every time we start the boat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skihart Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 Same here, always open the cover for a cold start but still use the blower if the boat has been sitting at the dock for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted July 9, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 9, 2012 Yes, and yes. Watched my neighbors boat explode and burn to the waterline when I was a teen. Luckily no one was seriously hurt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted July 10, 2012 Baller_ Share Posted July 10, 2012 Always use it on initial start and after fueling or sitting for any length of time. If you open the cover before the start, leave it open for the start. Any fume ignition will be a flash instead of an explosion. When it come to safety, especially easy safety, why cut corners? Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted July 10, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 10, 2012 I trailer and it gets blown out on the highway. The other lakes I ski on have boats on lifts, and we use AFTER fueling. Realize that air vents through as long as there is any wind or boat movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GAJ0004 Posted July 10, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 10, 2012 Gas is nothing to mess with. A friend of my cousin and his wife were on a boat on Lake Erie that had just been refueled. When the boat was started it exploded. He was badly burned, and his wife was killed instantly. She was in her mid 20's. I am a firm believer in keeping you engine compartment dry, and clean. It makes it easier to spot leaks. It extends the life of all your boat's components, and it could save your life too. The blower should always be on when you are at idle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAL Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 One major insurance company, here in OZ, won't touch boats unless they're fitted with one. This is more directed at boats over about 10 years old to force owners to fit them......... for good reason. Too many Deep Sixers blamed on fuel vapours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_T Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 NEVER run mine, i always open the engine cover for first start. A guy at a gas dock near us filled up and flipped on his blower and the boat is at the bottom of the lake now due to a spark off of the blower. So if you do fill up on the water leave the blower running! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDNAH2OSKIER Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Direct injection and modern fuel systems certainly reduce the risk but dont eliminate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boarditup Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Always 2-minutes before starting. Always while idling more than 2-minutes. Always at idle speed. Check your marine insurance policy and see if you are covered if you don't have a blower installed and the boat goes up - the fine print is worth reading. There is much greater risk of a sudden leak with the GM FI systems that run on high pressure than the old low pressure carb systems. If you have an in-tank fuel pump, beware and use the blower. Gasoline vapors sink in the air. Simply opening the engine cover may not evacuate the vapors. Blower hoses have to be on the bottom for this reason. Avoid vapor lock: 1. Use the blower as I do above. You will avoid the alcohol from vaporizing due to high temps. 2. Avoid alcohol in gasoline, if possible. 3. Use Marine Sta-Bil if the boat will set several days or every fillup with alcohol laden fuels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Bulldog Posted July 10, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 10, 2012 Every time we start our boat we use it. It is very cheap insurance from disaster. Using it even for 10 seconds could make the difference. Just flick the switch its not that hard. "Do Better..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted July 10, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 10, 2012 Ironically I saw my first motor light on fire last night. Granted it was a new outboard, but it's still the first time I've ever seen an engine fire. Last night was also the first time I started using my blower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeprunc Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Use it on slow water...but after reading about a few fires, I'm going to start using it as I lower the boat into the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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