Good morning everyone. Yesterday evening while heading back to the dock my boat died (2011 Z8). Was probably only going 7-10 MPH. It won't even attempt to crank. It's as if there isn't a battery on board. I checked the kill switch, seems fine. Wanted to check and see if this has happened to anyone else. Any ideas on what it might be? Any help is appreciated! Thank you

Kill switch wouldn't cause this, it would still try and turn over with the kill switch popped. I have done this by accident a couple times and the motor at least goes ra ra ra ra trying to start but just won't. Is it completely dead, like you turn key and absolutely nothing happens or is the motor at least making noise trying to start when you turn the key? I would check connections at the battery, make sure they are tight to the lug, check to ensure you battery has enough power to turn over your motor. Check the voltage on the charger and off the charger and make sure you have enough volts showing that the battery is deemed good still. If that all checks out, pull off the cowling and make sure all terminals around the alternator are intact and snug. Follow the wires coming from the battery up and make sure they are intact and not spliced anywhere and tight to the bolt.

This is where I would start, let us know what you find. Maybe someone else can chime in better than this. Earlier this year, I went dead in the water running back to the ramp after a full day of fishing. Motor wasn't charging when I was on the big motor. Found a broke black wire up by the terminal. $8 for a new terminal and wire and all was well. The terminal finally just broke loose and the weekend prior I was in some really rough water so the bouncing around probably is what caused it to finally go. Hope it is something simple and good luck with this.

Thank you! ill check this and circle back

This is dumb but I've freaked myself out a few times turning it off while still in gear and forgetting about it. When I go to turn it back on nothing happens until I realize it's still in forward.

Look to see if the battery terminal nuts are tight. We changed our battery and it would keep dying at idle because of a bad connection.

check ground first, probaby 90% of electrical is a ground issue.

what engine do you have, most have a fuse under the cowl that is a master fuse, if it blows you get nothing.

Done this one a few times over the years.

Glad I am not the only one who has made the heart sink for this reason LMAO!!!

What about the fuses under the console where the rats nest of wires is? My 2008 Z7 has a master power. Everything is connected into a little box of fuses, almost like a mini breaker box for the boat. But I know I don't have to turn my master power on to fire up the motor, so I don't think checking fuses here wouldnt be of much help but while you're checking all your electrical, might as well check all the fuses and wiring here as well. Might not be a bad idea to ensure the power cords behind the ignition switch are tight and connected though under the console. For the life of me, I cannot remember what it looks like behind the ignition under my console. May have to go back and look.

I don't think you are a real boater if you have never done this to yourself only to hang your head in shame as the 'you should have known better' feeling kicks in.

I had the same issue on a previous boat. It was a fuse located under the motor cowling. I can’t remember the exact fuse but changed it and never had another issue.

Sorry for the late response fellas. It seems that bouncing around loosened my connections. Tightened them up and all seems good to go. Thanks everyone!

Mechanic here. The first thing I'd do as mentioned is clean the battery post and terminal connections. Take a wire brush to them cleaning the top and bottom of the battery terminals and be sure to clean the area around the threads on the top of the post. Try to start it, with the water muffs on it so it can run. if it starts you are all good, dirty connections was your problem. If it still fails to do anything hook it up to a battery charger; preferably with a boost feature, and see if it will start, if it starts let it run with the water hooked up and disconnect either the positive or negative terminal. If it dies when you do this you have a charging system issue, if it keeps running you have a bad battery. Take the battery out and run it to your local parts store and have them load test it to be sure. They'll do that for free.

+1

Glad it's fixed. Also another reason to carry a small jumper box or cables in the boat, along with a multimeter.