S.-.5; Leaving.the.dock; Stopping; S.-.5.. Maneuvering - Four winns 318 VISTA Owner's Manual

7... Inspect.for.fuel.odors.and.visible.leaks.in.the.fuel,.
oil,.coolant,.exhaust.and.power.steering.systems..
8... 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.
operation.of.the.shifting.motion..Be.careful..Leave.
the.engine.in.gear.for.only.a.second.or.two..
S - 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.com-
pleted.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.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.
exhaust.leaks..Correct.the.cause.of.any.abnormal.
condition.before.getting.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.
mooring.lines.off.to.your.boat..Shift.your.boat's.engine.
Pre-Launch and Underway - Section S
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..
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..
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.
direction.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,.
operating.in.close.quarters.with.other.boats,.or.when.
approaching.a.swimmer.or.downed.skier.in.the.water..
Always.look.behind.you.and.to.both.sides.of.the.boat.
before.slowing.down..Tell.your.passengers.your.
intentions.to.allow.them.time.to.make.adjustments.to.
their.balance.or.positions..
Slowly.pull.back.on.throttles,.glance.back.and.see.if.a.
large.following.wave.is.approaching.the.transom..If.so.
give.the.engines.a.little.throttle.as.the.wave.arrives.to.
keep.wave.from.rolling.over.the.transom..
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