3-12
Operation
Maneuvering Techniques
Steering response depends on three factors: engine position, motion and throttle.
Like an automobile, high speed
maneuvering is relatively easy and
takes little practice to learn. Slow
speed maneuvering, on the other
hand, is far more difficult and
requires time and practice to master.
When making tight maneuvers, it is
important to understand the effects
of turning. Since both thrust and
steering are at the stern of the boat,
the stern will push away from the
direction of the turn. The bow
follows a smaller turning circle than
the stern.
The effects of unequal propeller
thrust, wind, and current must also
be kept in mind. While wind and
current may not always be present,
an experienced boater will use them
to his advantage. Unequal thrust is
an aspect shared by all single engine
propeller-driven watercraft. A
counterclockwise rotation propeller
tends to cause the stern of the boat, steering in the straight ahead position, to drift to port
when going forward, and to starboard when going backward. At high speed, this effect is
usually unnoticed, but at slow speed; especially during backing, it can be powerful. For
this reason, many veteran boaters approach the dock with the starboard side of the boat
toward the dock, if possible, since the stern of the boat will drift starboard when reverse
thrust is applied.
Stopping
When stopping the boat, it is important to remember there are no brakes to allow coming
to a complete, immediate stop. To stop your boat, anticipate ahead of time and begin
slowing down by pulling back on the throttle.
Once the throttle is in neutral and the engine has stopped pulling the boat forward, it may
be necessary to pull the throttle into reverse to further slow the forward momentum of the
boat. The reverse thrust of the engine will decrease the forward speed and slow the boat
down to a safer maneuvering speed. Never shift the transmission into reverse if the boat is
moving faster than 2 MPH (3.2 km/h).
Do not use the engine stop switch for normal shut down.
Doing so may impair your ability to restart the engine quickly
or may create a hazardous swamping condition.
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