Running boat without water

I would strongly recommend against it. The raw water pump impeller is rubber and the water helps to lubricate it. Without the water the impeller will burn up. Sometimes when this happens they break into small pieces which then could possibly clog cooling passages. If you need to run it out of the water you should get a flush pro or something similar. Without cooling water I wouldn't recommend running the boat for anything longer than firing it up and shutting it right off.

The only case I see for this is to check briefly if the stater is working and battery is charged right before launch so that you don't have an oh crap once in the water. But again hit the key, turns over, turn it off 5 seconds and your done. Not let it fire and run a second, smoked impeller is what you will get.

Thank you guys. I am guilty of letting it run a good 15 seconds. Unfortunately learning things the hard way. It was my friend and I's stupidity and hastiness because of a dead battery that lead to this anyhow. It was barely starting because there were not enough cranking amps and if it were in the water, be it just enough backpressure, or what.. it wouldn't start. So We rev'd er up a bit out of the water. I havent looked over the mechanics of the cooling line. I will want to pull this out and check it/replace. How hard is this and where is it located in the boat briefly.

Ryan

He's only got 8 posts Pete?!!?   

Ryan, look under 'common questions' for a good thread with good pics on your topic. My box isn't navigating well or I'd put up a link.

welcome to the site ryan


RWP pictures

Ryan:

Guys on this site will debate this topic back and forth to death. My experience is that I usaully start the boat without water to make sure it runs before heading to the lake. Never have I even come close to burning up an impellar. So, 15 seconds and you are probable ok, unless it was high rpm. Now, if the impellar was marginal to begin with, then you should check it out for your own piece of mind.

I can tell you that I have connected the fake-a-lake, done other things, then forgot to turn on the water. I started the boat and let it idle for several minutes. I finally realized my mistake when the exhaust manifold were getting hot to the touch. Shut her down and pulled the impellar....absolutely NO damage what so ever. What I am trying to say is that an impellar in good condition is not as fragile as some guys will lead you to believe. But, at the same time, I am not condoning the practice other than BRIEFLY starting the engine (less than 5 seconds) to verify it is going to run.

To each his own on this topic.

Fibersport wrote: One thing about garden hoses in buckets leading to your raw water pump, if you're not careful you can collapse it because of too much suction. Greg

Since the raw water hose is on the suction side of the pump, you have to make sure you use wire reinforced to prevent collapsing

Wire reinforced hose

why even take a chance on damaging impeller unless you enjoy replacing it?   no, never run without water for no period of time.....

Morfoot wrote: Food for thought while we are kinda on the subject....... Do you guy's remove the impellor for winter so that the vanes do not retain a "memory" ? I usually change mine every two years. Sometimes go 1.5 years if I notice the temp getting a little higher than I'd like. I do keep a new spare in the boat at ALL times.

Never! Over 25 years on my dual cavity in my X55 and still going strong. Maybe it's a age thing - older is better? Right John??

Bruce,
The pump is a belt driven on the port side. I just unbolted the whole pump. It's not the greatest spot to get into but better than working on a PWC!! The rear engines can be even worse. My in-laws old OMC I/O had the tilt motor go out. The mechanic was considering being hung off the hoist by his feet so he could get down in the hole head first!

Yeh, I know it's time for a new set of impellers! When I get done with the re finish I'll go looking for them.

I made my own fake a lake from a cheap toilet plunger and a piece of PVC. Take the rubber part off the stick and cut a whole in the center of the rubber part so water will flow through. cut a piece of 1-1/2" PVC to fit whatever length you need to wedge it and the plunger under your boat and to the ground. Cut a hole somewhere in the side of the PVC so you can run a water hose through the PVC and up to the plunger. Thread the hose onto the plunger and twist plunger back into the PVC. You now have a fake a lake that is custom fit for your boat and trailer. If you need pics I can get some.

Fibersport wrote: One thing about garden hoses in buckets leading to your raw water pump, if you're not careful you can collapse it because of too much suction. Greg

Guessing what Greg was trying to say is if you connect your garden hose directly to the water intake hose it can collapse the garden hose from too much suction. If you put both hoses in a full bucket of water you should not have a problem as your intake will draw from the bucket, the draw could exceed the supply for quite a while before the bucket would drain down.

Always remove the impeller during layup and keep a spare on hand, have used the same impeller for 100's of hours without any problems.