When to shut-off the engine

[DocPit]

I'm new to boating. I'm aware my boat key lanyard should be attached to an engine cut-off switch and also to my person. This suggests that every time I'm not actually at the helm, the engine should be shut-off. I haven't actually been doing that. When I go out, it is almost always alone. I start my engine, lower the prop into the water, and let the engine warm up in neutral while I get off the boat to untie my lines. When I leave my slip, I first set the boat in the middle of a pond-like area near the dock, where the boat is not near anything it can hit if it drifts a little. I then leave the engine running in neutral, and I pull-up my fenders. When I dock, I leave the engine running in neutral while I step off the boat and tie-up. Then, I raise the prop out of the water and turn-off the engine. Are these unsafe practices? Perhaps another way of asking the question: Is there any chance an engine can, on its own, slip out of neutral and propel the boat?

[steve1313]

Always turn off the engine BEFORE you lift the prop out of the water. It needs to be in the water to run water through the impeller which cools the engine (unless you have a closed system). It doesn't take very long of running dry to damage the impeller.

Can a motor go into gear on it's own? Sure, it's possible, but not likely.

The kill switch lanyard is designed to kill the engine if you are thrown overboard or otherwise leave the helm unexpectedly. Based on what your describing, you're not doing anything that I would call unsafe of dangerous.

[bigi]

Lower engine then start.

[ROLAND]

I'm new to boating. I start my engine, lower the prop into the water, and let the engine warm up in neutral while I get off the boat to untie my lines.

Hello DocPit.... might I suggest that before you start your motor that you lower the prop into the water first. You want to have the water intake on the lower unit in the water before you fire up your outboard so it can take in water to cool the motor.

[Puto]

Concur with others: When prop is on, it is ALWAYS in the water deep enough for the motor to "pee."

[DocPit]

Very much appreciate the information. I do think the gentleman who gave me an "orientation" should have told me about the prop. If I hadn't posted this question, I would have continued starting the engine, then dropping the prop. Probably wouldn't have taken long to cause problems. Again, many thanks.

[bansil]

letting engine run in neutral while doing lines is fine, running 30mph and walking up to get a beer is a bad idea slow down to idle speed, and then get your beer

[Coldbrew]

letting engine run in neutral while doing lines is fine, running 30mph and walking up to get a beer is a bad idea slow down to idle speed, and then get your beer

Excellent advice!

[Marc K]

letting engine run in neutral while doing lines is fine, running 30mph and walking up to get a beer is a bad idea slow down to idle speed, and then get your beer

Excellent advice!

That's easy for me to abide by. My boat won't hit 30 MPH even on a good day

In fact, I now have to ask for a beer to be passed to me because Texas has a new kill switch tether law. At least it still legal to operate a boat with an open container, you just need to be darn sure that you stay below .08.