I have to prime my sea strainer on first start-up.

I think im going to fill the system as much as I can when im putting the pump back together.

i ususally assemble the impellor with some grease and also shoot a little liquid soap in the housing. this way there is less friction on the initial "dry start".

The guy at extreme marine told me to use vaseline, thats probably what I will do I also was told dish soap. Does the boat blow bubbles out the exhaust after you put soap in there ?

yep....you'll see some soap floating behind the boat the first time you fire it. it helps clean the fish.

Replaced the impellers and it is now pumping water.