We know it’s tempting to punch that throttle and tear across the water with all the power your new engine can muster. This type of hard, strenuous effort, however, is not what your craft needs in the early stages of its life. In fact, this type of high-speed usage can actually shorten the lifespan of your engine.
The solution is a proper break-in period. Breaking in your engine involves varying speeds and avoiding those extended drag runs across the water during the first hours of its use. Obviously that requires some patience and self-control. But lay off the throttle now and you’ll be rewarded later. Components will wear in and polish themselves, establishing those critical tolerances that will pay performance benefits later.
So, just exactly how long do you have to wait? It’s best to check your individual owner’s manual; different manufacturers have different requirements. A rough rule of thumb, however, is to almost continually vary speeds during the first hours of use. Start by letting your engine properly warm up by avoiding any more than one-quarter throttle for the first five minutes. After that, spend about another 30 at varying speeds, but no more than half-throttle. Bump that speed up to three-quarter throttle for the next hour, again varying speed. After that you should be ready to go.
Again, however, heed your manufacturer’s warnings. Though it may seem extreme, some recommend avoiding full throttle for as much as two full tanks of gas, or the first 10 hours of operation.
Your patience will be rewarded in the long run.
The solution is a proper break-in period. Breaking in your engine involves varying speeds and avoiding those extended drag runs across the water during the first hours of its use. Obviously that requires some patience and self-control. But lay off the throttle now and you’ll be rewarded later. Components will wear in and polish themselves, establishing those critical tolerances that will pay performance benefits later.
So, just exactly how long do you have to wait? It’s best to check your individual owner’s manual; different manufacturers have different requirements. A rough rule of thumb, however, is to almost continually vary speeds during the first hours of use. Start by letting your engine properly warm up by avoiding any more than one-quarter throttle for the first five minutes. After that, spend about another 30 at varying speeds, but no more than half-throttle. Bump that speed up to three-quarter throttle for the next hour, again varying speed. After that you should be ready to go.
Again, however, heed your manufacturer’s warnings. Though it may seem extreme, some recommend avoiding full throttle for as much as two full tanks of gas, or the first 10 hours of operation.
Your patience will be rewarded in the long run.