It’s a sunny summer day, you have your fishing rod in hand and you’re ready for an afternoon of fun and excitement on the water. Your friends pile into the boat, and you prepare to head out when the worst-case scenario happens… nothing happens… quite literally. You turn the key in your boat’s ignition, but all you hear is the sloshing of waves against the shore. Your boat won’t start for some strange reason.

Nothing can ruin a boating trip more quickly than engine trouble. If you’ve ever encountered this in the past, you know it was both a horrifying and humiliating experience, especially if your engine died suddenly while you’re in the middle of the deep part of a river a lake or the ocean.

You’re sure something is wrong with your engine but you can’t place on what’s the actual issue and how to fix it. Don’t fret just yet!  Fortunately, there might be an easy answer to why your Mercury or Yamaha outboard motor won’t start.

This article will discuss the following reasons why your engine croaked suddenly and offer you simple steps to follow to identify the source of the problem and begin troubleshooting the issue. With any luck and with the help of these common outboard starting fixes, you’ll be able to identify and fix the issue in no time and save the day and your money.

Engine Won’t Crank or Cranks Slowly

• Check the Gauges: If the gauge won’t crank no matter how many times you’ve tried, turn the key to the on position and check to see if other lights and gauges operate correctly. If everything else is dead too, check the outboard’s main fuse.

• Battery Switch: If your boat has a battery switch, ensure that it’s switched to the on position and try cranking it again.

• Gear Shift: Most outboards will not crank if the boat is in gear. If the engine won’t crank but other lights and gauges work correctly, check that the gear shift. Make sure it is in neutral and crank the engine again.

• Battery: If the engine cranks slowly or doesn’t crank at all, your battery may be dead or low. Use a voltmeter to check the condition of your battery. If the voltmeter reads below 12 volts, your battery most likely is the problem and may need to be jumped or replaced.

• Battery Connections: If your battery is holding an adequate charge, the cables or connectors may be faulty. Check and clean the battery terminals and connectors to rid any corrosion buildup. Inspect the cables for any cracks, corrosion, or other obvious signs of wear that may impact their performance. Once the terminals and connectors have been cleaned and the cables have been inspected, securely attach them back to the battery and see if this solves the issue.

• Check Your Starter: If you hear a clicking sound or a low whine when you turn the key, the starter solenoid may be the issue. Before having a mechanic take a closer look, first try the old method of tapping the starter motor lightly with a hammer before turning the key again. This may knock the internal connections back into place allowing them to make better contact. This method may get you out of a bind once or twice, but you should quickly replace the solenoid before its condition worsens and leaves your boat stranded for good.

The Engine Cranks But Won’t Start

• Emergency Shutoff: If your boat has an emergency shutoff switch, check that the cap is firmly in place or the engine might not start at all.

• Spark Plugs: If you experience trouble starting the engine, engine hesitation, loss of power, or decreased acceleration, you may have a failing spark plug. Check the spark plugs for signs of damage. Any spark plug that contains moisture or black soot indicates that it is damaged and should be replaced.

• Fuel System: This one is obvious, but check that the boat has fuel in it. You never know when fuel gauges will fail! If the boat has fuel, check your primer to make sure fuel is making its way to the engine. If your boat has a primer bulb, pump the bulb to ensure it fills with fuel and feels firm after several squeezes. If it doesn’t, check for obvious signs of leaks or that the primer bulb itself doesn’t have a bad valve. If your boat is equipped with an electric primer, check that it’s working properly by removing the hose leading to your intake or carburettor and manually operate the primer to see if fuel squirts out. If it does not, you may need to have your primer serviced by a boat mechanic.

• Exhaust and Compression: If you have run through this checklist and your engine still won’t start, you may have either blockage to your exhaust or your engine may be lacking compression. Since these issues may require more resources and experience than the average boater has, it’s best to take your Yellowfin boat to a certified marine mechanic at this point to help troubleshoot the problem.