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•
Check cleaning products for flammability.
•
Ventilate when cleaning or painting.
•
Disconnect electrical system from its power source
before performing maintenance.
•
Replace breaker or fuse with same amperage de-
vice.
•
Electrical appliances must be within rated amper-
age of boat circuits. Observe the boat carefully
while the electrical system is being energized.
•
Allow only a qualified marine electrician to service
the boats electrical system.
G. Medical Emergency
Accidents while boating can and may happen. Be pre-
pared to handle these emergencies when they hap-
pen. Keeping a first aid kit and dry blankets on board
can assist during these situations. It is also a good idea
to contact your local Red Cross for information and
training on first aid and CPR.
H. Propulsion Failure
Before you call for help regarding an engine or drive
unit failure, it is a good idea to eliminate the possibility
of simple problems. Turn off the engine and check to
see that (1) there is fuel in the tank; (2) the engine
cooling intakes on the outdrive are not clogged; (3)
props are clean and free of weeds, netting, etc.; (4) no
hoses are leaking; (5) there is oil in the engine.
Once you have checked out the possibilities listed
above and find they are not the problem, call for help
giving your position and a detailed description of your
boat.
I.
Control Failure
In the unlikely event of a shift/throttle failure, shut down
the engine immediately. Carefully check the control
connections in the engine compartment to see if they
are secure. If not, try to locate the attaching hardware
and reassemble. If that is not possible, try to use what-
ever is available such as paper clips, hair clips, tape,
etc., to secure the connections. If a temporary repair is
made, return to port at the slowest steerable speed
and be prepared to take emergency action should the
temporary repair fail also. Have your dealer make re-
pairs before using the boat again.
378 Vista™ Owner's Manual
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378
J. Steering Failure
If a problem with the steering occurs, shut down the
engine immediately. Check the connections to the out-
board motor or drive unit in the engine compartment.
Some boats have a push/pull cable while others will
have hydraulic hose connections. With cable connec-
tions, check the attaching hardware and tighten it if
necessary. If you have hydraulic hose connections,
check to see if they are leaking. If so, tighten the con-
nections and check the hydraulic fluid reservoir level.
Most stern drives are power assisted and have their
own hydraulic reservoir and engine mounted drive
pump; check the level of reservoir and drive pump belt.
If the steering is not operating properly, do not operate
the boat and call for assistance.
K. Additional Underway Information
•
Always be aware of local laws on noise limits. Noise
means engine noise, radio noise or even yelling
by people on your boat. Good seamanship de-
mands that you operate your boat quietly so as not
to infringe on the rights of others. Don't use thru-
transom exhaust unless you are well off shore.
•
You are responsible for any damage or injury
caused by your boat's wake. Observe no wake
speed zone warnings. Operate your boat with re-
gard for the safety of other boats and people in
your boating area.
•
Keep your engine well tuned to decrease exhaust
hydrocarbon emissions that pollute the air and wa-
ter.
S - 11 RETURNING TO SHORE
A. Docking
Always approach the dock slowly. Think before acting.
If you are wondering whether your boat will fit in a space
against a dock, remember that pilings are often (but
not always) spaced 10 feet apart.
Remember that it is easier to control a boat in reverse
because a boat steers from the stern. When backing
into a slip, back so that bow swings into the wind if
possible. You will have more control.
If you have a twin engine boat, center the steering
wheel. Use the throttles and shifters to control the boat's
movement.
Section S
Page 9
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