Starting Outboard after long winter.

Steve,

Thanks for the help, I will replace the plugs.. I had looked at them,
and they looked all right, but as cheap as they are, it doesn't make
sense for me not to replace them. Plus it eliminates that point of
failure. I am also worried about the bilge pumps and aerators being
broken, so I am going to check those right away as well. I will
probably spend most of the morning running the boat around and making
sure everything is working good.

In 2 weeks I am getting my Lowrance LCX 25C (DASH) and LMS 332C (Bow)
from Michelle for our 10 year Anniversary (she got a new Diamond :-)) .
I really cannot wait till I get those installed. From a previous post
from you, I see you are going through the same :-).

Chris
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers wrote:
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
.. .
Hey all, as most of you know , I purchased a 2004 Yamaha VMax 150 last
winter. Well, I am moving into season # 2, and I have done all the things
the marina suggested with filling the gear case lube, checked the spark
plugs for blackness, draining the fuel line to the motor, I actually
emptied the old fuel out of my tanks (equated to about a quarter of one of
my tanks, so there wasn't much left) and charged my batteries. My motor
is carbureted, so I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help me
start the motor the first time. I will probably be in the low 40's
tomorrow morning when I put her in the water for the first time this year!

I appreciate any info you guys could throw at me :-)

Chris,

It sounds to me like you've done everything right. My suggestion is to fill
the boat with gas, get on the water and have fun! The only thing I do is
change the sparkplugs every spring, keeping the old ones in a compartment
for spares in case I have one fail for whatever reason.

Living in Wisconsin, with freezing weather, I always worry about some water
being stuck someplace in the bilge and/or livewell pumps, freezing,
expanding and breaking something. It can also happen with your speedometer
and water pressure gauge. Make sure to run the pumps and make sure nothing
was damaged over the winter.