Breaking in a New Boat

[TTU]

I have been reading on the new member page, and there seems to be differences in opinion on how to properly break in a boat.

So lets have it.

How do you personally feel is the best way to break in a new boat?

[Big Block Power]

Drive it like you stole it!

[AsLan7]

I agree....

YouTube came out and filmed BigBlockpower breaking in his last boat.....go 110% and find the weak points.

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[TTU]

I agree....

YouTube came out and filmed BigBlockpower breaking in his last boat.....go 110% and find the weak points.

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That will be hard to buff out.

It really did crack me up though.

[Big Block Power]

Might have to wet sand the scratches out first. Lol

[AsLan7]

I agree....

YouTube came out and filmed BigBlockpower breaking in his last boat.....go 110% and find the weak points.

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That will be hard to buff out.

It really did crack me up though.

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We aim to please here.

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[tgrace98]

Dealer told me to just vary rpms every 6-8 minutes for 10hrs.

I was told the same thing in the past by Yamaha when I bought a new jet ski from them

[NautiGirl]

Can't offer any input here... If the boat it's 10 years old I'm not buying it!

[Jeeper]

I have never had a new new boat. But when I take delivery of my R5 in a couple of weeks I’m going to drive it like I want it to run. I have several new vehicles and I have had good luck breaking them in that way.

[cmattj]

Dealer told me to just vary rpms every 6-8 minutes for 10hrs.

I was told the same thing in the past by Yamaha when I bought a new jet ski from them

Yes as marine engines stay at constant speeds unlike your car , it’s good to vary speeds and avoid high sustained rpms for several heat cycles.
Apply some load speed (3/4 throttle up to cruise speed from time to time and avoid full throttle for those cycles). I say 3 heat cycles. It’s already had 1 at the factory.

Things like ring seal and thrust on moving items find there happy place pretty quick, but also we have outdrive gears and clutches that are finding patterns for future wear.
In the generation of synthetic oils this attributes to lengthen the break in for compression rings.

10 hrs is a loooong time, and it geared toward avoiding warranty claims I’m sure, as we don’t have those rules with GM automotive engines. Lol

So in short drive as you will but allow the engine and drives to experience as many different sustained loads.
Soon you can Drive like you stole it ( BB )with out the worries. Looking to hearing how it goes.!

[Big Block Power]

Dealer told me to just vary rpms every 6-8 minutes for 10hrs.

I was told the same thing in the past by Yamaha when I bought a new jet ski from them

Yes as marine engines stay at constant speeds unlike your car , it’s good to vary speeds and avoid high sustained rpms for several heat cycles.
Apply some load speed (3/4 throttle up to cruise speed from time to time and avoid full throttle for those cycles). I say 3 heat cycles. It’s already had 1 at the factory.

Things like ring seal and thrust on moving items find there happy place pretty quick, but also we have outdrive gears and clutches that are finding patterns for future wear.
In the generation of synthetic oils this attributes to lengthen the break in for compression rings.

10 hrs is a loooong time, and it geared toward avoiding warranty claims I’m sure, as we don’t have those rules with GM automotive engines. Lol

So in short drive as you will but allow the engine and drives to experience as many different sustained loads.
Soon you can Drive like you stole it ( BB )with out the worries. Looking to hearing how it goes.!

Thanks Mr. Buzz kill!!
Sorry everyone nothing over 650 rpms for the first 10 hours. Lol
Yes very the load and rpm then drive the crap out of it.
Drive it like you stole it no matter what

[akorcovelos]

Hammer down, it’s under warranty, find the weak parts now!

[Tuscany]

I'm on the other side of the hammer down group.

Engines are built with metal parts that need to work with one another for years. I break things in easy, using variable rpm. New rings on new hatch cylinder walls? Give it a few hours of easy operation first. It doesn't take long. Proper ring seal is what you are after, and Imo and the manufacturer, it shouldn't be forced.

When I bought my new Harley back in 06', I had the engine punched, HC pistons, cams, cam drive, head work etc. done before it left the dealership. My dealer wouldn't let me have it until it was broken in on their dyno by their performance shop tech. I guess they never trusted their customers to follow their recommendations .
I never had an issue with it, and it runs like a raped ape...

[AsLan7]

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I have been reading on the new member page, and there seems to be differences in opinion on how to properly break in a boat.

So lets have it.

How do you personally feel is the best way to break in a new boat?

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Well, I guess the fun is over in this thread now that Matt and Tuscany brought us back to reality.

Here is a link to the Mercruiser manuals ....Mercury Mercruiser User Manual which contain the break-in procedure.


Here is the break-in procedure from my Merc manual for a 496HO...

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For VOLVO PENTA engines, you can click on the link below and then select your engine size. Navigate to the break-in section for specifics.

Volvo Penta manual
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The VP break-in procedure is basically the same for all engine models. Volvo separates the 20 hour total procedure into 2, 8, and 10 hour intervals with steps to accomplish at each of those hour marks.

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TTU, you can select your CS-22's V6 240 horsepower Volvo power-plant from the link above. I believe it's listed under the 4.3 engines at the end of the list. Regardless, the procedure is virtually identical for all the engines listed. Just select an engine and then select Table of Contents. Type "break-in" into the search section and it will come up.
For your engine, I did a quick copy and paste for the intervals listed.....


PAGE 1 OF 3....

Engine Break-in Period
NOTE!
To ensure proper lubrication during the break-in period, do not remove factory break-in oil until after the
20-hour break-in is completed. The First Service inspection should be carried out after 20 hours of operation.
CAUTION! Failure to follow engine break-in procedures can result in serious engine damage.
CAUTION! Do not run engine at a constant RPM for prolonged periods of time during the break-in pe-riod.
All Volvo Penta engines have been run for a short time during a final test at the factory. You must follow the engine break-in procedure during the first 20 hours of operation to ensure maximum performance and longest engine life.

NOTE!
Use Volvo Penta Engine Oil, Synthetic or Mineral, recommended for 0°F (-18°C) and above. For additional information, see Maintenance Schedule on page 64.

Break-in Procedures
During the break-in period, watch out for the following
items during the initial engine run:

1. Check engine oil level frequently (C). Level must
be between D and E.
CAUTION! The engine may use more engine
oil during the break-in period than would oth-
erwise be normal. Be sure to check the oil lev-
el frequently during the first 20 hours of
operation, since the oil consumption will be
high until the piston rings are properly seat-
ed.
•
Maintain oil level in the safe range, between the
ADD and FULL marks on dipstick. Somewhat
higher oil consumption is normal until the piston
rings have seated.
•
If you have a problem getting a good oil level
reading on the dipstick, rotate the dipstick 180°
in the dipstick tube.
•
When adding engine oil, use Volvo Penta engine
oils for gasoline engines, or a good quality oil
(API Service CF/SH or better) of the same vis-
cosity. Use the following chart to select the SAE
viscosity that matches the temperature range in
which you expect to operate.
Recommended SAE
Viscosity Oils
SAE 30
SAE 20W/50
SAE 15W/50
SAE 20W-20
SAE 10W


PAGE 2 OF 3.....

2. Watch the oil pressure gauge.
•
Oil pressure will rise as RPM increases, and fall
as RPM decreases. In addition, cold oil will gen-
erally show higher oil pressure for any specific
RPM than hot oil. Both of these conditions reflect
normal engine operation.
•
If the oil indicator fluctuates when the boat is
turning, climbing on plane, etc., the oil pickup
screen may not be covered with oil. Check the
oil dipstick. If required add non-synthetic oil, but
do not overfill. If the oil level is correct and the
condition persists, ask your Volvo Penta dealer
to check for possible gauge or oil pump malfunc-
tion.
3. Watch the engine temperature indicator to be
sure there is proper coolant circulation.
CAUTION! Failure to follow the break-in pro-
cedure may void the engine warranty.

First Two Hours
1. For the first five to ten minutes of operation, run
the engine at a fast idle (above 1500 RPM).
2. During the remaining first two hours of operation,
accelerate to bring the boat onto plane quickly;
bring the throttle back to maintain a planing atti-
tude.
During this period, vary the engine speed fre-
quently by accelerating to approximately ¾ throt-
tle for two to three minutes, then back to minimum
cruising speed.
3. After the engine has reached operating tempera-
ture, momentarily reduce engine speed, then
increase engine speed, to assist break-in of rings
and bearings. Maintain plane to avoid excessive
engine load.
CAUTION! For this initial two hour break-in,
do not run the engine at any constant RPM for
prolonged periods of time.

Next Eight Hours
1. During the next eight hours, continue to operate
at approximately ¾ throttle or less (minimum
cruising speed). Occasionally reduce throttle to
idle speed for a cooling period.
2. During this eight hours of operation you may
operate at full throttle for periods of less than two
minutes.


PAGE 3 OF 3......

Final Ten Hours
1. During the final ten hours of break-in, you may
operate at full throttle for five to ten minutes at a
time.
2. After warming the engine to operating tempera-
ture, momentarily increase engine speed.
3. Occasionally reduce engine speed to idle to pro-
vide cooling periods.
At the end of the 20 hour break-in period, drain the en-
gine oil and replace the oil filter. Fill the crankcase with
Volvo Penta's engine oil.
•
Check propeller(s) and propeller fasteners.
•
Check condition of battery and battery cable
connections.
•
Check the tension and condition of drive belt(s).
•
Lubricate all grease fittings and linkages follow-
ing service recommendations.
•
Check tightness of all water, fuel, exhaust
clamps, fittings, drive bellows, and drains.
Restart the engine and recheck that:
•
No leakage of fuel, oil, water, or exhaust gases
occurs.
•
Engine oil pressure and temperature are within
specifications.
This is a perfect time to discuss with your Volvo Penta
dealer any questions about your engine that may have
arisen during the first 20 hours of operation and estab-
lish a routine preventive maintenance schedule.






First Service Inspection (Dealer 20-Hour Check)
To ensure your continued boating enjoyment, we recommend that you return your Volvo Penta product to your
Volvo Penta dealer for a 20-hour check. This 20-hour check will prevent a minor problem from getting worse and
helps ensure a trouble-free boating season. When servicing your engine, your Volvo Penta dealer will use the
following guidelines to inspect your product:
Start the engine and check that:
•
No leakage of fuel, oil, water, or exhaust gases
occurs.
•
Engine oil pressure and temperature are within
specification.
•
All cables and controls operate correctly.
•
All gauges, instruments, and alarms operate cor-
rectly.
•
Steering system operates correctly.
•
Engine ignition timing and idle RPM are within
specifications.
•
Power trim system operates correctly.
Stop the engine and:
•
Change engine oil and oil filter.
•
Change fuel/water separator filter.
•
Clean seawater strainer (if equipped).
•
Check fluid levels and fluid condition in stern-
drive or inboard transmission, power steering
pump, and trim pump.
NOTE!
Always insist that your dealer use genuine Volvo Penta parts when replacing engine components.
Operating After Break-in Period
After the break-in period, the engine can be operated at any RPM from idle to full throttle. Cruising at 3600 RPM
or less, however, saves fuel, reduces noise, and prolongs engine life.


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After all this, back to operating like you stole it.

Hope this helps and enjoy your time on the water.


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[akorcovelos]

meh, I've built/assembled several engines from GM to BMW and beyond the 100 mile oil change to get the assembly lube out of the engine I've never done anything special. Any break in as far as cam and rings go it already done at the factory when they test run the engines and do the per-delivery oil change. Now, with modern ECUs being able to monitor whether you follow their advised break in procedure, it could be used as a reason for warranty denial so I guess that would be a concern.