I gotta ask..
 

do you turn off your engine when your fishing?

Maybe a better question is 'when do you turn off your engine?'

My mako's engine runs smooth, i have a good fuel filter on it, but god i am scared to turn it off.

Yup, no need to run it while fishing, just to move. You shouldn't have it out there if you're afraid to turn it off dude..:fishslap:

Yea I turn it off, even if I'm anchored close to rocks, as long as I have a good hook in the bottom and my small grappler out. its off./
If I'm in deeper water, its off for sure.

Why would you be scared?
What is the danger?

the danger is that one time last year it would not start on me when i was very close to some whitewater.. the problem turned out to be in the shifter- it wasnt recognizing that it was in neutral, so it wouldnt give the ignition any electricity. I would turn the switch and nothing would happen. Every once in a while it happens to me and I know now to wiggle the shifter while the key is turned all the way to start and it will catch, and the engine will start.

You haven't seen Nebe's Mako :sick:

:hidin:

-spence

Fix that neutral switch.

No boat rides for you... I dont care it its not brand new and pretty... all i care about is pulling fish over the rail and having a reliable boat.. :wave:

are they replacable or reparable?

Probably just out of adjustment. But, yes, it is replaceable.

hmm. do you have to pull it out of the console and take it apart or is there away to adjust it while installed???

They are usually under the engine cover near the linkage, what year and make motor? Try Google, you may find a pic there soyou know what you're looking for.

ohhhhh i thought it was in the shifter.

its a 89 evenrude 110 VRO.

I'll check it out tomorrow am. going to bed now..

thanks for the consultation :D

There is a little contact swith in the shifter and it shouldn't cost you more than $20 for a new one. It's usually 1 or 2 screws and 2 wires. Very easy to replace.

It may be in the shifter Eben, my older Johnson was in the motor though. I would check the linkage adjustment first though, that could be the problem. Make sure when shifter is in neutral, the engine linkage is in neutral too.

Neutral is neutral... but when it doesnt start, i just wiggle it around.. Like Ktugboat said, i figured it was a contact switch of some kind...I'll take a look at it some time soon.

wiggle side to side - or wiggle back and forth? if it's side to side it's in the switch in the shifter.

front to back...

up until a few days ago my engine was as reliable as you can get.

But I would still leave it running when drifting withing 20 feet or so of the coast, or if working a breaking reef.

All other times i shut if off.

That motor is old enough to enlist :laugha: good for you, two strokes can run forever. I'd keep her running unitil you know for sure, I had a mature motor a few years ago (75hp 1986 rude, which is still in service today), and like you, she was started and stopped on the trailer, fish didn't seem to mind the idle noise (of course to stay at idle, I'd have to give a few more rpms in neutral)

the hull is a '71. Older than me and probably too old to enlist :hihi:

'71 :claps: your rig will do what todays $2 - 3K a foot boats do and think of the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ your saving. :btu:
Some golden rules for older motors :

1. spending $100 or so for a towing service

1. never toss your bait till you get to the dock. The only thing worse than breaking down, is breaking down after you tossed your bait.

ok so I can't figure out the list #s

I should stik a bumper sticker on the transom that says 'dont laugh, its payed for' :hihi:

she's a itsey bitsey waterloged, but I really dont care honestly

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...highlight=mako

I would keep it running if you are in a situation that might require immediate action via a move. Othewise I would turn it off and keep the anchor handy, just in case.

I agree. Fishing whitewater and then fishing pretty much everywhere else are very different games.

E.
with the whaler...
I keep a small anchor in the stern... already tied off and ready to go. same w/ the r/v when working really tight. if you get into trouble slip it over the side. it can buy you time till you can get up to the bow...