Starter out?

Instead of suspecting get out the VOM and check for 12V getting to the starter on key turn.

there is always 12v at the starter large wire/ terminal when the battery is hooked up,   Hollywood is referring to the small wire on the starter solenoid, which only gets power when the key is in the on position.

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll have to run get a volt meter. Mine's not at the lake.

I know there is power to the starter, not sure if its a full 12 or not. I'll do some more digging and see what I can find.

Here are pics of the relay and starter. I'll have my volt meter at the lake later today to run some diagnostics.

Makes perfect sense. I'll test it later today.

Is the engine mounted solenoid/relay interchangeable (ie something I could pickup at the local auto parts store) or does it have to be one for this specific engine?

Thanks,
Tom

How do the battery cables look? Any corrosion or looseness at the terminals? I'd be cleaning my connections and verifying they're tight before doing anything.

OK, Volt meter testing confirms that its the starting relay and here is why I believe that. Very little to no corrosion anywhere on any connections.

1) There is constant 12V to the starter.
2) Never power to the starter solenoid lead when the starter does not engage.
3) Starter ALWAYS engages when I use my handy screw driver to direct jump the leads on the solenoid itself.

With this information I used the recommendation provided by KENO to purchase an 84 351W from the local auto parts dealer for $20. This looks identical to mine on the boat, even the mounting bracket is the same. I will install this one in the morning and assume that this will fix my problem.

If this unit does work is there a need to purchase a marine grade one or are these really the same?

Thanks for all the help!!

Good new is that fixed it, starts every time.

Bad news is after about an hour on the water its now not idling well at all. Runs fine at higher RPM and under load but is very rough at idle and up to about 2000 RPMs. Seems to be fuel or possibly carburetor related. Seems unlikely to me that the carb would all of a sudden get out of adjustment.

Although I've never looked I assume there is a water separator, that will be my first check. Second is that I put some questionable gas in from the shed that sat over the winter, perhaps some bad gas? Is there a way to drain the gas tank without siphoning it all back out?

Many thanks.

Good news all around.

I took the boat out and ran it for about 10 minutes and the issue cleared itself up. I suspect I had some debris clogging a carb jet. Ran it for a couple of hours with no issues and even got a pass in for myself.

All I want for fathers day is a pass in the morning and one to finish the day, life is good.

Thanks all for your help.

Regarding old gas as well as used paint thinners, I put them in my oil drain pan and burn them off.