Last time I was out I noticed it was taking a few seconds for the water pump to start peeing, is this something I should be concerned about or is it normal? Everything else seems to be working and once it starts coming out there is a solid stream. Being new to boating I wasn't sure if this was just the time for water to be sucked up the engine and passed through or a failing water pump. The motor is an 1987 Mariner 45 horse.

With most all motor's there's going to be a delay. The bigger the motor, the longer the delay. You're big V-6 Johnsons and Evinrudes seem to take forever before they start. The water pump has to fill the block first, some of those hold several gallons of water.

Now, with that said, and it's an 87 model motor, unless you know for sure it has recently had a new impreller/kit installed in it, I would replace it.  I replace mine every three years.

In cold water your thermostat will take a while to heat up and allow the motor to start peeing.  Make sure that the motor is peeing before you hit the throttle.  The pee stream means that the motor has fully warmed up and is not subject to cold-seize.

A motor peeing is an indication of the water pump working only and normally will take a few seconds to appear. When the thermostat opens water circulates thru the engine block and out the exhaust as well as out the pee hole...........Al

Do you have a water pressure gauge?

Like W2S I change every 3 years because that is cheap insurance.

As far as water out the pee hole that happens in a few seconds, however, my duce and a quarter Opti needs 5 minutes or more to warm up the the 120° temp before taking off in these low temp waters that we now have.

In cold water your thermostat will take a while to heat up and allow the motor to start peeing. Make sure that the motor is peeing before you hit the throttle. The pee stream means that the motor has fully warmed up and is not subject to cold-seize.

I was gonna say the same thing about the cold water it will take longer for the stats to open up and as far as the pump goes I change mine every year for as cheep as they are and there is nothing worse then a dry rotted impeller to let go and send small pieces through out your whole cooling system  >