General Information; Boater's Responsibilities; Before Operating Your Outboard; Boat Horsepower Capacity - Mercury 6 Manual

ob

GENERAL INFORMATION

oba1

BOATER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

The operator (driver) is responsible for the correct and safe operation of the boat and
safety of its occupants and general public. It is strongly recommended that each
operator (driver) read and understand this entire manual before operating the outboard.
Be sure at least one additional person on board is instructed in the basics of starting
and operating the outboard and boat handling in case the driver is unable to operate
the boat.
obb1

BEFORE OPERATING YOUR OUTBOARD

Read this manual carefully. Learn how to operate your outboard properly. If you
have any questions, contact your dealer.
Safety and operating information that is practiced along with using good common
sense can help prevent personal injury and product damage.
This manual as well as safety labels posted on the outboard use the following
safety alerts to draw your attention to special safety instructions that should be
followed.
DANGER
DANGER - Immediate hazards which WILL result in severe personal inju-
ry or death.
WARNING
WARNING - Hazards or unsafe practices which COULD result in severe
personal injury or death.
CAUTION
CAUTION - Hazards or unsafe practices which could result in minor injury
or product or property damage.
U.S. COAST GUARD CAPACITY
MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER
MAXIMUM PERSON
CAPACITY (POUNDS)
MAXIMUM WEIGHT
CAPACITY
1
obc1

BOAT HORSEPOWER CAPACITY

1
Do not overpower or overload your boat. Most boats will carry a required
capacity plate indicating the maximum acceptable power and load as
determined by the manufacturer following certain federal guidelines. If in doubt,
contact your dealer or the boat manufacturer.
WARNING
Using an outboard that exceeds the maximum horsepower limit of a boat
can: 1. cause loss of boat control 2. place too much weight at the transom
altering the designed flotation characteristics of the boat or 3. cause the
boat to break apart particularly around the transom area. Overpowering
a boat can result in serious injury, death or boat damage.
obd2
HIGH-SPEED AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE BOAT
OPERATION
If your outboard is to be used on a high-speed or high-performance boat with which
you are unfamiliar, we recommend that you never operate it at its high speed
capability without first requesting an initial orientation and familiarization
demonstration ride with your dealer or an operator experienced with your
boat/outboard combination. For additional information, obtain a copy of our
"Hi-Performance Boat Operation" booklet (Part Number 90-848481) from your
dealer, distributor, or Mercury Marine.
90-10104R40
gob1
XXX
XXX
XXX
1
obe1

OUTBOARD REMOTE CONTROL

1
The remote control connected to your outboard must be equipped with a
"start-in-neutral" only protection device. This prevents the engine from starting
when the shift is actuated in any position other than neutral.
Avoid serious injury or death from a sudden unexpected acceleration when
starting your engine. The design of this outboard requires that the remote
control used with it must have a built in "start-in-neutral" only protection de-
vice.
obf1

REMOTE STEERING NOTICE

2
The steering link rod that connects the steering cable to the engine must be
fastened utilizing self-locking nuts (a). These self- locking nuts must never be
replaced with common nuts (non locking) as they will work loose and vibrate
off, freeing the link rod to disengage.
Disengagement of a steering link rod can result in the boat taking a full,
sudden, sharp turn. This potentially violent action can cause occupants
to be thrown overboard exposing them to serious injury or death.
2
obg6

LANYARD STOP SWITCH

1
The purpose of a lanyard stop switch is to turn off the engine when the operator
moves far enough away from the operator's position (as in accidental ejection
from the operator's position) to activate the switch. Tiller handle outboards and
some remote control units are equipped with a lanyard stop switch. A lanyard
stop switch can be installed as an accessory - generally on the dashboard or
side adjacent to the operator's position.
2
The lanyard is a cord usually between 4 and 5 feet (1220 and 1524 mm) in
length when stretched out with an element on one end made to be inserted into
the switch and a snap on the other end for attaching to the operator. The
lanyard is coiled to make its at-rest condition as short as possible so as to
minimize the likelihood of lanyard entanglement with nearby objects. It is made
as long as it is in its stretched condition to minimize the likelihood of accidental
activation should the operator choose to move around in an area close to the
normal operator's position. If it is desired to have a shorter lanyard, wrap the
lanyard around the operator's wrist or leg, or tie a knot in the lanyard.
LANYARD STOP SWITCH (CONTINUED)
Read the following Safety Information before proceeding.
Important Safety Information: The purpose of a lanyard stop switch is to stop
the engine when the operator moves far enough away from the operator's position
to activate the switch. This would occur if the operator accidentally falls overboard
or moves within the boat a sufficient distance from the operator's position.
Accidental ejections and falls overboard are more likely to occur in certain types
of boats such as low sided inflatables or bass boats, high-performance boats and
light, sensitive-handling fishing boats operated by hand-tiller. Accidental ejections
and falls overboard are also likely to occur as a result of poor operating practices
such as sitting on the back of the seat or gunwale at planing speeds, standing at
planing speeds, sitting on elevated fishing boat decks, operating at planing speeds
in shallow or obstacle-infested waters, releasing your grip on a steering wheel or
tiller handle that is pulling in one direction, drinking alcohol or consuming drugs,
or daring, high-speed boat maneuvers.
While activation of the lanyard stop switch will stop the engine immediately, a boat
will continue to coast for some distance depending upon the velocity and degree
of any turn at shut-down. However, the boat will not complete a full circle. While
the boat is coasting, it can cause injury to anyone in the boat's path as seriously
as the boat would when under power.
We strongly recommend that other occupants be instructed on proper starting and
operating procedures should they be required to operate the engine in an
emergency (e.g. if the operator is accidentally ejected).
7
gob7
2 a
WARNING
WARNING
gob8
1
GB