T - 5 Maneuvering - Four winns 248 Vista Owner's Manual

5. When engine is cold, run engine approximately one
(1) to two (2) minutes at fast idle speed (1200 to
1500 rpm). This step is not necessary with fuel in-
jected engines.
6. Once engine has warmed up, check water tempera-
ture gauge to ensure engine temperature stays within
optimum range. If temperature reading is abnormally
high, stop engine immediately and inspect for cause
of high reading.
7. With engine running, voltmeter should show a read-
ing between 12 and 15 volts.
8. Check steering operation. Turn steering wheel full
to port and starboard while observing outdrive move-
ment.
9. Inspect for fuel odors and visible leaks in the fuel, oil,
coolant, exhaust and power steering systems.
10. Make sure boat is securely moored to the dock and
engine is idling. Then move the throttle forward and
then aft and back to neutral to check for proper op-
eration of the shifting motion. Be careful. Leave the
engine in gear for only a second or two.
T - 5 MANEUVERING
Boat steering is not self-centering. Steering is
effected by engine and propeller torque, trim tab
setting, 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 maneuver-
ing as you leave the dock. Idle speeds work best when
maneuvering to and from the dock. Do not forget to re-
lease the mooring lines.
A. Leaving the Dock
You are ready to leave the dock after the engine has
warmed up. Check all gauges for appropriate readings
before casting off. If oil pressure is abnormally low or
engine temperature is abnormally high, stop the engine
immediately. Check voltmeter to be sure the charging
system is working properly. Check for fuel, oil, and ex-
Vista™ Owner's Manual
™
haust leaks. Correct the cause of any abnormal condi-
tion before getting underway.
Make sure passengers sitting in the bow area
do not obstruct the operator's vision when cast-
ing 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 learn-
ing how to maneuver. Practice docking using an imagi-
nary dock. Practice stopping and reversing.
B. Stopping
Boats have no brakes. Stopping is accomplished by
backing down on the throttle. Practice stopping ma-
neuvers 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 ex-
perience.
Once the boat has slowed and motor is idling, place the
shift in REVERSE. Gradually increasing reverse power
with the throttle will allow you to stop the boat in a very
short distance.
NOTE: 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.
Remember that all boats steer by the stern (the feeling
is much like steering your automobile in reverse). This
means that the stern of your boat will swing in the direc-
tion opposite to your turn. For example, when you turn
the helm wheel to the left, the stern of your boat will
swing in the direction opposite to your turn. This is
especially important to keep in mind when docking, op-
erating in close quarters with other boats, or when ap-
proaching a swimmer or downed skier in the water.
Section T
Page 4