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8... . C heck.steering.operation..Turn.steering.wheel.
full.to.port.and.starboard.while.observing.outdrive.
movement..
9... . I nspect.for.fuel.odors.and.visible.leaks.in.the.fuel,.
oil,.coolant,.exhaust.and.power.steering.systems..
10... M ake.sure.boat.is.securely.moored.to.the.dock.
and.engine.is.idling..Then.move.the.throttle.for-
ward.and.then.aft.and.back.to.neutral.to.check.for.
proper.operation.of.the.shifting.motion..Be.careful..
Leave.the.engine.in.gear.for.only.a.split-second..
S - 5
MANEUVERING
Boat steering is not self-centering. Steering is
effected by engine and propeller torque, trim
tab setting, wave and current action and the
speed of the hull through the water. Constant
attention to steering is required for safe
operation.
When.all.your.pre-departure.checks.have.been.
completed.and.the.engine.has.warmed.up,.you.will.be.
ready.to.leave.the.dock..Take.into.account.the.amount.
of.wind,.tide.current,.and.other.forces.that.may.affect.
your.maneuvering.as.you.leave.the.dock..Idle.speeds.
work.best.when.maneuvering.to.and.from.the.dock...
Do.not.forget.to.release.the.mooring.lines..
A. Leaving the Dock
You.are.ready.to.leave.the.dock.after.the.engine.has.
warmed.up..Check.all.gauges.for.appropriate.read-
ings.before.casting.off..If.oil.pressure.is.abnormally.
low.or.engine.temperature.is.abnormally.high,.stop.
the.engine.immediately..Check.voltmeter.to.be.sure.
the.charging.system.is.working.properly..Check.for.
fuel,.oil,.and.exhaust.leaks..Correct.the.cause.of.any.
abnormal.condition.before.getting.underway..
Make sure passengers sitting in the bow area
do not obstruct the operator's vision when
casting off or while underway.
After.making.sure.your.boat.is.ready,.check.wind,.tide,.
current.and.other.forces.that.will.affect.the.way.you.
Prelaunch & Underway - Section S
maneuver.your.boat.away.from.the.dock..Throw.moor-
ing.lines.off.to.your.boat..Shift.your.boat's.engine.into.
forward.or.reverse.depending.on.whether.you.want.to.
move the bow or the stern away from the dock first.
Run.your.engine.at.a.slow.speed.as.you.move.away.
from the dock. If you move the bow out first, watch
that.the.stern.of.the.boat.does.not.swing.into.the.dock.
or.a.piling..
Once.away.from.the.dock,.devote.some.time.to.
learning.how.to.maneuver..Practice.docking.using.an.
imaginary.dock..Practice.stopping.and.reversing..
B. Stopping
Boats.have.no.brakes..Stopping.is.accomplished.
by.backing.down.on.the.throttle..Practice.stopping.
maneuvers.and.learn.early.how.your.boat.reacts..
From.forward.motion,.pull.the.throttle.back.towards.
NEUTRAL..Depending.on.your.speed,.the.distance.
the.boat.travels.until.it.comes.to.a.complete.stop.will.
vary..The.ability.to.measure.the.distance.will.only.be.
acquired.through.experience..
Once.the.boat.has.slowed.and.motor.is.idling,.place.
the.shift.in.REVERSE..Gradually.increasing.reverse.
power.with.the.throttle.will.allow.you.to.stop.the.boat.in.
a.very.short.distance..
NOTE:.A.boat.will.not.respond.to.steering.in.reverse.
nearly.as.well.as.it.does.when.going.forward,.so.do.
not.expect.to.accomplish.tight.turning.maneuvers.
when.backing.up..
Remember.that.all.boats.steer.by.the.stern.(the.feel-
ing.is.much.like.steering.your.automobile.in.reverse)..
This.means.that.the.stern.of.your.boat.will.swing.in.the.
direction.opposite.to.your.turn..For.example,.when.you.
turn.the.helm.wheel.to.the.left,.the.stern.of.your.boat.
will.swing.in.the.direction.opposite.to.your.turn..This.
is.especially.important.to.keep.in.mind.when.docking,.
operating.in.close.quarters.with.other.boats,.or.when.
approaching.a.swimmer.or.downed.skier.in.the.water..
Always.look.behind.you.and.to.both.sides.of.the.boat.
before.slowing.down..Tell.your.passengers.your.inten-
tions.to.allow.them.time.to.make.adjustments.to.their.
balance.or.positions..
Slowly.pull.back.on.throttles,.glance.back.and.see.if.a.
large.following.wave.is.approaching.the.transom..If.so.
give.the.engines.a.little.throttle.as.the.wave.arrives.to.
keep.wave.from.rolling.over.the.transom..
Owner's Manual Page
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