Do you follow everything in the owner's manual???

[DanB]

OK, just purchased a used Tige, and was reading the owner's manuals last night. I'm coming from a pontoon with a 60hp outboard, some of this ski/wake boat stuff is new to me. Saw some things that seemed weird.
1) Do you smell the bilge everytime you start the engine???
2) Do you run the blower for 4 minutes everytime you start the engine??? Even if just stopping the engine to pick up a rider who's done?
3) Read where I should only have 250lbs in the bow. That's it? That's one person!!!
4) They suggest Taps at 1 to pull the rider, then shift back towards wake numbers once the rider is up. Can't I just pull up with Taps @ 5-7?

Thanks!

[Gardyloo03]

I would say the only one that is necessary is to use the blower, not applying to when you just turn the engine off to pick someone up, but you should always use it before starting the boat the first time that day, after buying gas, or after the boat has been sitting. Gas fumes have the potential to build up in the engine compartment and ignite. While this is a rare occurrence it is a very real one. I was at the lake this summer when a boat blew up at the gas dock due to vapor build up while fuleing burned a guy very badly. I dont know why you would smell the bilge i hope someone can explain that to me? The taps setting in one will help you conserve gas and wont put as much strain on the engine when pulling a rider up. I have had way more than 250 pounds in my bow just make sure when crossing your wake that you do not slow down or the bow will porpoise and go under and take on some water. I hope this helps! What boat/year did you get?

[Tip]

I always turn on the blower while refueling on the water. I also run the blower when the engine is running except when on plane.

I don't run the blower for 4 minutes everytime I pick up a rider.

The purpose of smelling the bilge is to detect a possible fuel leak where you might have gas in your bilge.

Good luck with your inboard, it will take some getting used to but you will like it.

Tip

[Flying Tiger]

I was at the fule dock in Avalon not too long ago.

Some drunks pulled up and put the gas nozzle in the bildge vent.
They stopped the fill at $100 as I jumped in my boat and took of back to Whisky 17 mooring.

If you go to the gas dock today,, you can see where 2/3 of the gas station island and 3 pumps have been replaced and are new.
No one has more respect for the power of detonating gasoline fumes than this kid.

A bit of an extreme example,, but I always run the vent fan. Tige' really stresses running the vent fan,, especially in hot climates.

[DanB]

Gardyloo03,

Got a late 02 (new hull) 21iR.

[ghollow]

Dan B
When I start my inboard for the first time of the day, I usually lift up the engine cover before I start it so running the blower is not necessary. I like to inspect the engine once I start it. I make sure there are not any fuel or water leaks before I close the cover. You have to be careful that nothing gets caught in the belt or pulleys. I usually make my kids stay out of the boat while I do this.
If you smell fuel when you open the cover, DO NOT START THE ENGINE.
Give it time to air out first and try to determine where the smell is coming from.

[smendez]

I always have seconds thoughts about starting the blower if the boat has not been run for more than a week. What if there are gas vapors all over and a spark from starting the blower ignites these? - Kabbbooomm I say!

I'm sure these blowers have been engineered not to ignite gas vapors when turned on, but heck - they're electrical motors. All electrical motors spark.

So I agree with ghollow and do the same he does. If the boat has been stored for a few days, I always open the engine cover, make sure there's no gas odor that shouldn't be there, check the oil, and just give it a once over.

Then we start it and go play

[GIZMO]

Well If everybody it turning off the battery switch like they should it is impossible to turn the blower on or start the engine without opening the engine hatch first. Thats assumeing that your batt switches are located in the same place as mine.

[Aquajack]

You ask some good questions. . . an Owners manual is written for your EXTREME SAFETY IN MIND! Smelling the bilge is to detect any gasoline fumes. While doing this, also look for any visible signs of oil or gas in the bilge. While you are looking, see if there is any excess water in there.

To the Member named "Tip" you are doing a scary thing by running the bilge while fueling!

Gas fumes are heavier than air!

In a car those fumes drop to the ground, underneath of a vehicle, and dissapate in the open air.

In a boat, those gas fumes will go to the lowest areas and lay in the bottom of the bilge, since a boat is sealed up underneath the water line, the fumes will remain there until the bilge blower is turned on and or the boat is moving causing a positive air flow to replace the fumes with fresh air.

If you rely on just opening the engine hatch, you are NOT forcing fresh air into the bilge area and expelling the heavier gas fumes.

So TURN your bilge blower on for 4 minutes to replace the heavier gas fumes with the "bilge blower forced" NON-Expolsive fresh air!

Now to the potential problem that "Tip" is doing.

If you Shut off the motor, Close all hatches, and turn off the bilge blower, (as most Owners Manuals state) than the fumes can not get into the lower areas very easily.

But if your refuel while leaving the bilge blower on:

It is possible while fueling to suck in gas fumes (located outside of the boat coming from the fueling hose) and in turn force them into the bilge area if you turn on the bilge blower while fueling.

Bottom line, Follow your manual and you will be the safest.

Cut corners "At your own Risk"

Enjoy your new boat and please be safe!

[Tip]

I seem to remember my owners manual specifically stating to run the blower when refueling; however, what you say makes sense so maybe I just misunderstood the manual. I'll double check the manual before I refuel the boat next time.

I think a lot of people under estimate the volatility of gasoline. Gasoline has a flashpoint of -40 degrees (F). "Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture in air near the surface of the liquid. The lower the flash point, the easier it is to ignite the material" (http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/flashpoint.html).

Thanks for the comments.

[raythompson]

Do you follow everything in the owner's manual???

Originally posted by DanB
2) Do you run the blower for 4 minutes everytime you start the engine??? Even if just stopping the engine to pick up a rider who's done?

I run the blower all the time. I turn the blower on when I get to the ramp and keep the blower on the entire time I am on the lake. I only turn the blower off when I am going to not be using the boat for more than 30 minutes.

That blower motor is cheap and easy to replace so I do not care about wearing the motor out. The very real danger of gas fumes is something I do not care to mess with. Marine electrics (alternator, starter, etc.) are supposed to be sealed to avoid sparks. But a slightly loose plug wire could go unnoticed.

Gas fumes are heavier than air and will settle in the bottom of the boat. Running the blower forces air into the bottom of the boat (notice the vent hose locations, ideally sucking air from the bottom with fresh coming from the top) to get an idea.

Running the blower also introduces more cooler air air into the engine compartment and all engines like cooler air for better performance.

Basically, the blower is cheap and it does no harm to run it all the time and it may certainly do a lot of good.