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Old 05-10-2016, 06:53 AM   #4
Dave R
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When you run a bilge blower, take walk to the stern, put your nose right in the blower output air stream, and sniff for gas vapors. It's the quickest and easiest way to know you are good to start the engine without worry of explosion. It's also a great way to discover potential engine problems early because many engine issues will create an odor and you may notice a difference in the smell long before there are any other symptoms.

When you are retrieving a boat with a trailer, start with the trailer shallow and back it in further only if winching gets too difficult. Backing in too deep to start is one of the biggest rookie mistakes I see at the boat ramp. You should never need to have someone pushing the boat sideways at the stern to try and center the boat on the trailer, it will happen automatically (assuming the trailer is set up right), if the boat is allowed to rest on the trailer as it is retrieved.
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