Pro XS Water Intake

Looking for suggestions on the best method to use starting the motor at home (2011 Pro XS). The manual says it is OK to idle the motor with a water hose hooked up to the flush port below the cowling. My question is if it is better on the impeller to run on ear muffs. What do most folks do?

I use muffs on my opti. Don't know if the newer motors have the flush point under the cowl, haven't had one that new.

Hose and idle only is OK.

You can do it either way the impeller will get water both ways I do the muffs and put a piece of tape over the front pickups ......OPTI

Ear muffs...always.

Thanks folks!

The lower cowling has a square head plug screwed in a hole next to the sight water outlet. Remove the plug, Remove the screen, screw a waterhose into it, turn on the water and run test.