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DEAD MAN’S SWITCH
If your boat is equipped with a dead man’s switch, attach its lanyard
to yourself immediately after detaching the mooring lines. For more
detailed instructions, refer to the engine manual. It is very important
that the boat stops if you for some reason fall overboard or stumble on
board, particularly if you are alone. However, remember to detach the
lanyard from your wrist before docking or beaching operations to pre
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vent the engine from stopping unintentionally.
DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED
Although the Axopar 28 boats have passed the CE requirements for
swerve tests at full speed, we do not recommend making sharp turns
at high speed. When exceeding a certain speed limit any hull construc
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tion might lose its grip. This might lead to passengers hurtling out of the
boat, especially in single engine conguration.
• The maximum rated engine power is 295 kW (version R)......
• Do not use the boat if it has an engine with a higher power rating
than indicated on the capacity plate.
• Do not drive the boat at high speed if the engine’s rig angle is neg
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ative (bow down).
• Do not drive at full speed on congested waterways or if the visibility
is limited because of weather conditions or waves.
• Reduce your speed and wake as a matter of courtesy, and also for
the safety of yourself and others.
• Observe and obey speed limits and prohibitions associated with a
swell.
• Follow the rules of navigation and the requirements of COLREG
(Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Colli
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sions at Sea).
• Always make sure that you have the space needed for avoiding colli
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sions and coming to a halt and for evasive manoeuvres.
• Always use a dead man’s switch if available.
• Reduce speed in high seas for increased comfort and safety.
• Learn your boat’s speed potential. Utilise this knowledge for eco
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nomical and safe cruising.
• Avoid using high speed along with large rudder movements when
going astern, because that places large strains on the rudder and
steering mechanism.
• Avoid sudden steering manoeuvres at high speeds.
• Avoid staying in the bow area when driving at high speeds.
DANGER!
A rotating propeller can be lethal for a swimmer or person who has
fallen overboard. Use the dead man’s switch and shut down the engine
when somebody climbs on board out of the water.
You should avoid sudden changes in direction of travel at high speed.
Let the boat come to a stop, and the engine rev down before shifting
between forward and reverse. Otherwise excessive strain is put on the
engine, which could cause the engine to stop. In the worst case, sea
water may enter the engine.
A right-handed propeller rotates clockwise and a left-handed propeller
anti-clockwise, seen from the stern. The rotation of the propeller is crit
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ical for steering the boat. The right handed propeller pushes the stern
of the boat to starboard when the engine is engaged ahead and to port
when it is going astern. The direction of rotation of the propeller has
a major impact on the turning radius. A right handed propeller gives a
smaller turning radius to port than to starboard. This is called the pro
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peller’s paddlewheel effect.
Your propellers have considerable propulsion power that provides
powerful acceleration. Take this into consideration to avoid dangerous
situations arising from this.
Take the visibility from the helming position into consideration. Among
other things the following factors can considerably reduce visibility:
• Gear trim angle
• Trim tab angle
• Load and load positioning
• Speed
• Rapid acceleration
• Changeover from displacement speed to planing
• Sea conditions
• Rain and thunderstorms
• Darkness and fog
• Inner lighting when under way in the dark
• Position of curtains
• People and equipment that can block the helmsmen’s view.
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG)
demand that a proper lookout is kept at all times, and the “right of
way “rule must be observed. It is essential that these rules are followed.
STAYING ON DECK
Staying on the deck is not allowed for safety reasons in speeds exceed
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ing 30 knots. If the sun deck cushions of fore deck table are in place the
observe the maximum speed of 15 knots to avoid the cushions or table
detaching at speed or in high waves.
USING THE TRIM TABS
WARNING!
Make only small adjustments at a time. Holding down the button for the
trim tab for any length of time can result in partial loss of control of the
boat.
An Axopar boat does not need trim tabs to get up on the plane or to
give good performance. Trim tabs are, however, a very useful aid, if used
correctly. There are two situations in particular where trim tabs should
be used. These are when it is desirable to trim the bow down in a ris
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ing sea and at speeds between going up planing and cruising speed, as
well as when running with a strong beam wind.
A planing boat always leans into a strong beam wind. This reduces the
boat’s sea-keeping qualities, which is why listing to one side should be
eliminated as far as possible. Lowering the trim tab on the windward
side brings the boat back into normal attitude.
For trimming the bow down, both trim tabs are used in parallel. Begin
by retracting both trim tabs completely, then lower both of them a
little at a time, so that you retain complete control over how the boat
is affected.
When running with a following sea, both trim tabs should always be
fully raised. The reason for this is that boats have a tendency
to “dive” in a strong following sea, which can result in uncontrollable
slowing. Therefore you should run the boat with a high bow angle in
a following sea.
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