Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

To start with I read here very often but don't post much. I just purchased my first boat a couple of months ago. I purchased new because of my lack of knowledge with boats and motors. I'm relying on the warranty. Anyway here goes............
Does this sound normal for starting the engine?
Insert key turn to on and wait for the beep. Suggesting that the motor has made it's check and everything is ok to start the engine.
If the long beep doesn't occur then after 1 minute turn the key off and then on again. If the beep doesn't sound at that point then turn the key off and then on again and you should have the beep.

Okay, that's what I do. Most times I get the beep after the 3rd attempt. Sometimes 4 or 5 attempts.

My boating schedule is active only on the weekends at Lake of the Ozarks. I drive down on Friday and back on Sunday. When I leave I turn off the battery switch. So there is not any power to anything for the week I'm gone. I start the boat the first time on the weekend and I leave the battery switch on for the rest of the weekend and sometimes I have to go through the starting process and sometimes I will get the beep the first time I turn the key on. The motor just turned 29 hours.

I also noticed that my voltmeter gauge on the dash was showing 14 volts when the motor was running. I seemed to remember that number being lower in the past. I have two agm batteries and when I operate the boat I select the "1 and 2" option on the dial so that I'm using both batteries. I read here somewhere that if the batteries are overcharged there would be a problem.

Oh I almost forgot.......... I scuffed up my tube this weekend against the dock. Damn-it!!

Thanks to all,
Troy

I have the Merc 150hp 4 stroke and I just turn the key and start it, the beep happens while I start it, I see no reason to wait to start the motor.

There are a few Verado owners on here, but many more at TheHullTruth.com and IBoat's boating forum. I'm sure they can help you. Or, your dealer's service department can probably answer your questions.

Sounds as if you've got a terrific boat. I don't have a scratch on my 26 year old Starcraft pontoon, but I'm looking for scratches on my new Bennington any day.

My owner's manual states the starting process I described above is required when you have a new motor or the battery has been disconnected. I wonder how many hours you have to have on the motor before the computer decides that it's not new anymore.
Does the fact that I turn off the battery switch at the end of every weekend and let the boat sit for a week without any battery power to the motor count as disconnecting the battery?
I suspect that my dealer will read what I have read and as long as my boat starts at some point they'll be satisfied. But I will call them this week.
Troy

Hey Gramps,

I have tried to start mine without hearing the beep and it won't turn over at all until the beep. One time I heard a short beep and it started and after pushing the boat out of the dock well I put it into gear and nothing. Just as if it were in neutral. So I turned off the motor and restarted and all was ok. I didn't have to wait for a beep, it just beeped the long beep.
Troy

I think Verados are different animals and have a certain way of doing things, and needing certified Verado technicians.

I have a Verado 250. When I turn the key on, I get the beep within a few seconds. What your experiencing doesn't sound right. I very good site I visit a lot is veradoclub.com. People on the forum are very helpful and there is some great documentation there.

Tsully, your boat seems pretty awesome I'd like to see your custom layout can you post some pics?

I am assuming that your motor has a computer to manage it. Turning off your key and battery then when you turn it back on the computer is booting and checking settings on it. I would guess it could take a few seconds to go through all the checks. Like I said I am assuming but don't really know.

I get the beep everytime on my 225/310 Verado. I turn off the battery selector every time I put the boat away. My volt gauge usually reads 14 as well, thats good. Go to the VeradoClub, they know about all there is to know about the Verados.

http://www.veradoclub.com

Scuffs are easy to polish out. Just use some polishing compound and a high speed buffer.

Bryden24shp wrote:
Scuffs are easy to polish out. Just use some polishing compound and a high speed buffer.

Or just ignore them. don't worry you WILL get more; if not, you are not using your boat enough!

I have a 2012 Harris with Mercury Verado 150......when I turn be key on to start it ..it beeps as I start it. I have never waited for any beep to start it...just turned the key. I have had several times like you are describing when it seems to be in neutral when I move the throttle forward. I then just throttle back to neutral ...put it in reverse...then back to forward and it works fine. I figured I probably did things too fast starting out. Sounds like you got a great boat!

Mrtoler --I'll get some pics when I'm down at the lake again. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be down this coming weekend. I'll check my computer and see if I have any good pics to see! Thanks for the compliment..

Tallkenj & Bryden24shp -- I joined that website right before I purchased my toon. Yes there is a mountain of info there. Went back to check out my concern and did read that you shouldn't rush starting the Verado. But didn't read anything particular to my situation. Probably need to post there to get an answer. I'm glad that the 14volt reading isn't anything to worry about. Brian I did install the ez fenders. Don't have a pic for you. I put six of them on. Thank you

I can't start my motor until I get the beep. It won't turn over until the beep has occurred. I'm in the process of getting the info from my dealer and I emailed Mercury as well. Unfortunately it is very difficult for my to get to a phone during the day at work so I have to rely on the email process. Then after I collect all the info I'll make one phone call to take care of things. I know... sounds redundent. Oh well.

Thanks for all the info. I'll let you know what I find out from the dealer and Mercury.
Troy

"Brian I did install the ez fenders. Don't have a pic for you. I put six of them on. Thank you"

Awesome! You are gonna love them! I had so many people asking about them last weekend down at LotO! Sold almost all my inventory I took along with me at Captain Rons and Coconuts! Sold 8 pairs to a guy with a 42' Fountain. He loved them!
Anytime you get pictures of them, I'll pop them on my website!
Thanks Again!
Bryan

Some thoughts. Every time you turn the batteries off with the switch you are disconnecting the power to the engine's computer, when you reconnect the battery, the computer needs to reboot...

Does the restarting attempts go all the time, or just the first time you try to start after you reconnect the battery. Does your rig have a battery isolatorer?? That will charge both batteries, but only draw from one, keeping you from getting stranded with a dead battery. Usually they are marked Starting battery and cabin battery. If you don't have this iolatorer putting the battery selector on 1 and 2 will charge both batteries when you are underway. I'd switch it to 1 or 2 when the engine is off and you are running the radio, or other battery draws. We also leave our 'toon at our river house in Arizona. When we leave I put "Battery Buddies" on the toon, Seadoos, and Quads. Keeps them 'topped off' while we are gone.

Most of this stuff is in the owners manual and the engine manual from Mercury.

Good Luck!