Ok, Here's the issue. This is the first boat I've had w/ Sportmasters (& ITS / 525 EFI's).

When I launch the boat at the ramp, the motors won't catch prime (no water flow thru sea strainers) - resulting in two shredded impellars, which have been replaced (whole kit, not just impellars) and back-flushed. Since then, still is doing the same thing. I have to give the engines throttle in order to catch prime (which causes fouling of the plugs - not supposed to give throttle when engines are cold etc... as per the Merc. manuel - I've now found is unfortunatly true).

In advance.... Yes, we are backing the boat more than deep enough, making sure the drives are submerged.

Anyone experienced this and, if so, what did you do to solve the issue?

Joe

sea strainer location and plumbing

hope they are not filling from the bottom up??

look & see if the strainers are lower than the the feed line from the outdrive (inside the boat) water dont like to travel up hill. btw nice boat!

Just spoke w/ Phil L. His comment was, "air leak." So.... we're running the traps. I'll keep you posted.

Strainers seem to be positioned well and are sucking from the bottom of the strainers. Wish us luck!!!!

Please keep any other thoughts/comments coming.

The thru-hull on a Bravo is higher than the center line of the chrank,if the sea strainer is below the Motor you shouldn't lose prime.I'd look for it to be sucking air,check all fittings and connections.

had a similiar issue on a l/s glad. besides lowering the strainer yuo should look for twisting in the 1 1/4 hose from the transom assembly. there is a length of rubber hose with in the its housing that can become slightly twisted during the installation process causing symptoms such as yours.
besides the above comments check the strainer seals, and if equiped with a flush , go thru it.

good luck

ok, what ive seen quite often when the pumps wont prime what you want to check is on the inside of the boat where the intake hose comes through tend to get corrosion that will constrict the intake hose, pull the hose off (at the transom inside) then remove the two bolts that keep the adaptor inplace what happens is the corrosion builds up and squeezes the hose check it have seen it abut 30 times in salt or brackish water !!!!!!! im pretty sure this is your problem if so let me know and ill tell you how to correct it !

Thanks everyone. My mechanic checked the connections and they all seem to be good. Starting with the simple things, we're going to lower the strainers - they have an appx. 10" drop down from the strainer on a 90 degree elbow to the hose.

Thanks for the twisting and corrosion comments. We'll check them while we're in there.

I was thinks strainer seals also. My checkmate has the sea strainer (M&M) that is mounted block high on the transom and a transom pick up. Even if it is empty It has no problem sucking in the water. I worried about this when I bought the boat but have never had a problem. I could never relocate the strainer so I left well enough alone.

I was thinking air leak also because the water has to be
drawn all the way to the water pump.

Daddio