Engine Startup Procedure


  • Make sure all dock lines are stowed away, either with a girth hitch to the rail or a crew member is handling it. No lines should be dangling into the water. 


  • Boat manager check these items, but you can also verify:
    • Check to make sure the enginte water intake seacock is open.
    • Check to make sure the shaft stuffing box water intake seacock is open if the boat has a dripless style stuffing box.
    • Oil and coolant level checked


  • Fuel level checked. If less than 1/2, plan to fill her up on your way out. Never completely top off the tanks to avoid spillage.


  • Battery switch set to #2 position, or ON position if the boat has an ACR.


  • Locate ignition key on the VHF radio cord.


  • Remove the mainsail cover and hook up the halyard to the sail.


  • Put shifter in neutral position.


  • Glow the plugs for 15-20 seconds (not all boats have this).


  • Set throttle to fast idle. In warm weather, this should not be needed.


  • If there is one, make sure the kill switch is pushed in, not pulled out. Otherwise, the engine will crank but not start.


  • Crank the engine by turning the key or pushing the button.


  • If it starts, check for adequate water flow out the exhaust. If no water or too little water is coming out, shut down the engine immediately.


  • If the engine does not start, wait for 30 seconds before cranking again. Do NOT crank longer than 10 seconds at a time or more than 5 times. If it is still not starting, do NOT take that boat. Report the problem immediately.


  • Drop the throttle to idle speed and let the engine warm up for at least 3 minutes before getting underway.
  • Set the battery switch to 1+2 or Both on boats without an ACR.


  • If a dock line gets fouled on the prop, put the shifter in neutral and stop the engine. Do NOT attempt to remove the line by reversing the engine. Do NOT pull on the line too hard. You can severely damage the shaft. If you were returning to BSC, sail the boat to the outside T-head and dock it there. Report the problem immediately. 


Engine Shutdown Procedure


  • Throttle the engine hard for 3 seconds, bring it back to idle speed for 30 seconds.
  • If applicable, winterize the engine by closing the engine seacock and feeding antifreeze into the sea strainer.
  • Pull out the kill switch or push the stop button. Once the engine stops, push the kill switch back in. Electronic push button style stops reset automatically.
  • Turn the key to OFF position; turn Battery Switch to OFF (Do NOT turn off the ignition key or battery switch while the engine is running)
  • At the end of sail, return key to VHF radio. 
  • Do NOT close the seacocks for the engine or stuffing box intake unless it is winter schedule that requires winterization.