Mercury 40 JET FOURSTROKE Operation, Maintenance & Installation Manual page 43

The driveshaft driven impeller draws water up through the water intake and
then directs it at a high pressure through the water outlet nozzle to create
forward thrust. To obtain reverse, the reverse gate moves over the outlet
nozzle to direct the water in the opposite direction.
a - Water intake
b - Water outlet nozzle
c - Reverse gate
When the jet drive is in neutral, the impeller continues to rotate. However, the
reverse gate is positioned so that some of the forward thrust is diverted to
create reverse thrust. This approximate balancing of forward and reverse thrust
will minimize any boat movement. Because the impeller is always rotating and
creating thrust when the engine is running, the boat may tend to move slowly
forward or backward. This is normal for a direct‑drive jet driven boat. The
operator should be aware of this and use caution whenever the engine is
running.
Avoid injury resulting from contacting the rotating impeller or having hair,
clothing, or loose objects drawn into the water intake and wrapping around
the impeller shaft. Stay away from the water intake and never insert an object
into the water intake or water outlet nozzle when the engine is running.
The jet drive is always drawing water into the housing when the engine is
running. Do not operate the jet drive with the grate removed from the water
intake. Keep hands, feet, hair, loose clothing, life jackets, etc., away from the
water intake. Never insert an object into the water intake or water outlet nozzle
when the engine is running.
eng
OPERATION
c
a
!
b
WARNING
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