Boat Handling - Bonefish Bohemian 17 Owner's And Operator's Manual

should be greased as needed with high quality marine grease approved by the steering
manufacturer. Refer to the manufacturer's steering manual for specific recommendations and
additional maintenance. Any slow or sudden change in the "feel" of your steering system
indicates an immediate need for a thorough inspection. All repairs and replacements to steering
systems should be made by us or an authorized steering system dealer.
Trim Tabs
Most outboard equipped boats are equipped with an
adjustable trim tab. The tab planes mounted on the transom
of the boat are actuated by an electric ram piston. Two
switches at the helm operate the trim tabs. The switches are
labeled "bow up-bow down" and correspond to the side of
the boat the switch is closest to, although the tab on the
opposite side of the boat causes this motion. The trim tabs
should be adjusted to balance the steering at the speed
which you travel most frequently. Variations in speed, boat
load or changes in the engine trim will cause the steering to
pull in one direction. If the boat pulls to the left adjust the
trim tab to the left and vice-versa. Always remember to fully retract the trim tabs prior to putting
the boat on a trailer. Stepping on the trim tab plane may cause damage to the unit
or result in injury. See the trim tab owner's manual for complete maintenance information.
Jack Plates and Scissor Jacks
Your boat may be equipped with a jack plate or a scissor jack (also known as
a Porta-Bracket). These devices raise and lower your motor in a vertical
fashion, instead of at an angle like the motor's power tilt. These are excellent
tools for reaching shallow water fishing grounds, but are intended for straight
line and slow speed operation only. They are dangerous at fast speeds and
especially in turns. If one of these devices is used to raise the motor to a
point where the anti-cavitation plate on the lower unit is higher than the
bottom of the boat, then then you should immediately reduce engine speed

BOAT HANDLING

Before taking on passengers or a long trip, you need to learn how to handle and obtain the best
performance for your boat. The best way to do that is to practice and experiment with just you
on board. After several hours of operation you should experiment with throttle settings to
determine the most comfortable and economical throttle range for your typical loading
conditions. We suggest that you make a speed/RPM chart in order to obtain the most
economical operation. Operate the boat at various speeds and check the fuel consumption at
each speed. Determine the amount of operating time remaining when the fuel gauge drops to
and lower the drive until the condition is corrected. If you don't, there
will be an insufficient amount of motor below the waterline which
could (In addition to causing motor damage) result in your boat
sliding or even spinning out of control. To minimize the risk of a slide
or spin, you should always distribute weight evenly side to side and
position the majority of weight in the rear of your boat. Never allow
persons to sit in any area other than those specifically designated for
seating, and never exceed the maximum weight printed on the
capacity sticker inside your boat.
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