Operator stated his motor had become hard to start since 08:00am that morning.  He stated they fished all day and around 02:00pm he tried starting the motor to head back to the ramp when the motor exploded, causing the cowling to explode off the motor and the motor catching fire.  He attempted to put the fire out with his extinguisher but it was unserviceable, so once he got close to shoreline some fishermen on the bank brought a 5-gallon bucket over to aid in putting the fire out.

Operator stated he had recently had some work done on the motor and a new fuel pump replaced a few months ago.
HARTMAN                       