Steering Operations; Maneuvering; Leaving The Dock; Stopping - Scarab SB Series Owner's Manual

D - 7 STEERING OPERATION
Turning the steering pivots the jet pump nozzle(s)
which controls the boat direction. Turning the
steering wheel clockwise will turn the boat to the right
and inversely. Above idle speed, throttle must be
applied to turn the boat.
Throttle must be applied and steering turned
to change the direction of the boat at speed.
Steering efficiency will differ depending on
the number of passengers, load and water
conditions.
Hint: Before beginning your cruise it is a good idea to
know where your jet nozzle(s) is at. To position your
jet nozzle in straight forward position (centered) rotate
your steering wheel to the full left turn or right turn
position. Once at full left or right turn position count
how many complete revolutions it takes to turn the
steering wheel to get to the opposite full turn position.
Then turn your steering wheel back half the amount of
revolutions and your jet nozzle should be centered.
A jet propelled boat needs some throttle applied in
order to turn. Practice in a safe area applying the
throttle and turning away from an imaginary object.
This is a good collision avoidance practice
D - 8

MANEUVERING

Boat steering is not self-centering. Steering is
effected by 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 the center instrument gauge. Ver-
Operation - Section D
ity there are no message codes displayed (after the
3-second initialization) before casting off. If a message
code is displayed be sure to remedy the cause prior
to leaving the dock. 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
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.
NOTICE
To obtain maximum efficiency and control from
the reverse, increase engine speed to slightly
above idle. Too much RPM will create water
turbulence and reduce reverse efficiency.
NOTICE
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.
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.
Owner's Manual Page 103