Spark Plugs Anyone?

[Tarpon4me]

If you've been out on the water enough, you've probably putted in on one less cylinder because of a fouled plug. More so if you own a two stroke outboard.

One thing I do every year, sometimes twice a year, rather it needs it or not, is change the spark plugs in the motor.

Also make sure you've got a couple extras on board and keep a small tool kit with you. I also keep a lighter with me as well. Sometimes if a plug fouls out, you can pull it and put it under a flame long enough to get it working again.

Here's a couple of other things that it never hurts to carry with you on the boat, no matter what size boat it is:

1. Spare prop and nut
2. Ten Penny Nail (sear pin)
3. Enough small twine to wrap around the pulley on the motor incase your rope pulls out or your battery dies
4. Baby wipes
5. Fish Bat
6. Flares
7. Survival Kit[cool]
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[tomc]

thats some good tips tarpon,one thing you forgot,lol is a firstaid kit.also just one thing to remember is once you foul a spark plug, it should be replaced as soon as you can,once foul ,it starts loseing is max spark that is needed.the saying is once fouled,always fouled.
anouther trick,(which i dont recomened on new electronic ignition motors)is motor wont start or skips,you take out the spark plug and check to see if you have spark,and you do,put the plug back in,and still won't start or skips.the problem most of the time,a bad plug.a plug will spark in the open air ,but will not spark under compression.
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[Tarpon4me]

LOL, yeppers, I left out the First Aid kit. I guess I didnt' think of it because it's required that all boats have them in SC.

And to piggy back on what you just mentioned Tom, that equipment I mentioned before is for emergency only type stuff. Like Tom said, you always need to change those plugs at your earliest inconveniance.

But if you get stranded, knowing the little tricks can get you to the house. I can't remember how many times i've pulled the cord out of the motor(my poor old pull crank Evinrude I use to have), fouled a plug, or thrown a sear pin. I've also spun off a prop, which sucks simply because there is nothing wrong with your motor, it just won't go. LOL, imberrasing more than anything else. Nothing sucks worse than being towed back to the hill. 85% of towed boats could have been prevented by a little preventative and regular maintenance, and being prepared while on the water.

So stay cool people [cool] Buy a grease gun and some spare plugs before you hit the water.
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[tomc]

i understand,i have had just about all of those problems, to say last year shered the pin on my prop,went to grab my box with repacement parts,guess what?left it home ,forgot to put it back in after doing a good cleaning,good thing for sea tow,i just mentioned the spark plug thing because i know a few peaple foul a plug,burn it off get home,go out the next time and have more problems because they didnt replace it.just thinking that burning off a plug was a perminet fix
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[Tarpon4me]

I've never had to use a "sea tow" agency before, knock on wood I don't have to. All the times i've broke down or tore something up was with in the inlet or on a busy river thank goodness. Chunk someone a bow line and your off.

Aren't those tow services expensive? I've heard horror stories. I know back in the day the coast gaurd would come and tow you in.
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[tomc]

not if you are a member,if not ,yes,they are very expensive,the coast gaurd will only help if in a life/death or injuries situation,other than that they will hail,sea tow,us boat for you
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