There’s a lot to love about going for a slow, peaceful sail—just not when you’re on a motorboat. Outboard motors work hard to propel their watercraft; sometimes, that hard work can temporarily put them out of commission. To get you back on the water at more than zero knots, we have a few suggestions for what to do when your outboard motor stops working.

Check Your Fuel Line

As kids, we all had fun pinching the garden hose and cutting off the flow. However, pinching a motor’s fuel line is a bit worse than that harmless prank. A kink in the line will stop fuel from flowing from the tank to the engine, which can trick your motor into running on empty. Make sure there are no obstructions or breaches in the line. If you find this engine maintenance frustrating, it might be time to consider going electric.

Check Your Battery Cables

Even electrical components, however, may need some attention. General wear and tear can cause these cables to become loose or disconnected. Insulation can break down, leading wires to fray. If you sail through salt water, you should be particularly attentive to how corrosion can affect your battery’s cables. Whether you need to tape over some missing insulation, resecure your cables, or replace them outright, addressing this issue could get your motor up and running again.

Clean Your Propeller

As you move through the water, your motor will inevitably pick up some debris. Sand and mud can cake on the blades of your motor’s propeller, and long strands of seaweed can find themselves wrapped around components as well. If your motor isn’t reaching top speed, these encumbrances could be why. Take some time to keep your prop clean.

Repair a Spun Propeller

Damage to your outboard motor’s propeller shaft means that the blades will spin independently without doing work. This condition, a “spun prop” in marine parlance, occurs when the propeller hub incurs damage. While an experienced boater may be able to switch out prop hubs, this will most likely require some professional expertise—even if you know what to do when your outboard motor stops working, you don’t want to damage your engine by overestimating your skill. Your nearest marine mechanic can remove the broken hub and install a new one, getting your propeller to spin correctly again and returning your motor to full function.

If your outboard motor isn’t operating at peak performance—or isn’t operating at all—and you can’t figure out why, the experts at RJ Nautical may be able to help you repair or replace your motor. We can assist with Yamaha outboard maintenance as well as maintenance for other motor makes and models. High-speed, low-stress boating awaits.