How to Start a Four-Stroke Yamaha Outboard Engine

Starting a Yamaha outboard is more than shoving the key in the slot and giving it a twist. When you start your Yamaha outboard, there's a prescribed set of procedures. One of these procedures is for your own safety and the safety of others. Another procedure is to protect the outboard's starter -- it is to prevent repeated starting attempts that can overheat and damage the starter motor. Together, they make starting your outboard the starting point in boating safety.

Things You'll Need

  • Yamaha safety lanyard
  • Ignition key
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Shift the engine into neutral. The four-stroke Yamaha is equipped with a neutral-safety switch that prevents the outboard from starting when it is in gear.

    • 2

      Insert the tab of the safety lanyard into the slot on the remote throttle control unit or on the tiller handle. This closes the normally open emergency kill switch. On Yamaha outboards, the slot is on the front of the remote control unit.

    • 3

      Insert the ignition key in the key switch. Turn the key all the way to the right, to the "Start" position.

    • 4

      Hold the key at the "Start" position for 15 seconds or until the motor starts. Release the key when the motor starts. If the motor does not start in 15 seconds, release the key.

    • 5

      Wait 30 seconds before attempting to start the motor again, if the motor does not start. If the motor does not start after three starting attempts, allow the motor to cool for 60 seconds before another attempt.