Tom,
I don't want to come across as a naysayer, but be sure of what you are
doing. If the boat was sold and the buyer has a bill of sale, the boat is
still his, regardless of whether it was registered. It would be a shame to
bail the boat out of the impound lot just to have the owner lay legal claim
to it. Just be sure the impound lot provides you with the paperwork to
obtain a title under the storage lien.
OK, with that said, Yes, you can start the engine without a key. It
depends on whether the engine has a magneto or coil which way the wires need
to be connected/disconnected. The water impeller will probably survive a
quick dry start, but it would be safer to turn the motor over by hand and
check it's mechanical condition that way. After 2 years, the carb is likely
gummed up anyway.
Good Luck

"Tom" wrote in message
...
Is it possible to start a boat engine without the key? The boat is a
1998 Sea Rayder with a Mercury 175hp jet drive.

I sold the boat two years ago. The person that purchased the boat from
me didn't register it and the boat is now in an impound yard. It is
mine if I pay the fees to get it out. The most important item I want to
check is the engine but I don't have a key and I won't know if there is
one on the boat until I pay my $40 to look at the boat in person.

The key/throttle is the standard type you would see on any of the Sea
Ray boats. If it helps, as I recall the top of the shifter is a 1" dia
ball and to shift into forward or reverse you lift a funnel shaped
washer located under the ball.

Also, if there isn't any water available for running the engine, will
only the water pump impeller be destroyed if I run the engine for a few
seconds?