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PREDELIVERY
WATER TEST AND FINAL ADJUSTMENTS
Dual-Outboard Alignment
Dual outboards must b e connected with a tie bar
and adjuste d to a lign the o utboards for corre ct
water flow to the gearcases and propellers.
Incorrect outboard alignment co uld cause one or
more of the following:
• Propeller ventilation
• Reduction of top speed
• Improper boat tracking
• Engine overheat and powerhead damage
Follow th e instructions provided by t he tie -bar
manufacturer for tie ba r inst allation and adjust-
ment.
Measure Alignment
The “toe-in” (gearcase lea ding edge s closer
together than propeller shaft centers) o r “toe-out”
(gearcase leading edges farther apart than propel-
ler shaft centers) is determined as follows:
• Position outboards straight with the anti-ventila-
tion plates parallel with the bottom of the boat.
• Measure between propeller shaft centers.
• Measure between leading edges of gearcase.
Alignment Adjustment
Various bo at/motor comb inations respond differ-
ently to dua l-outboard a lignments. Each app lica-
tion must be thoroughly tested until the idea l
combination of performance, steering, and cooling
is found.
A common practice is to set-up the outboards par-
allel, or with a small a mount of “toe-out,” a nd
adjust inward until best results are achieved.
• A typical set-up, with out boards mounted
directly on the transom, often runs best with a
slight amount of “toe-in.”
• Outboards mount ed be hind the transom on
motor brackets usua lly require p arallel alig n-
ment or “toe-out.”
Adjust the outboard alignments by adju sting tie
bar. Follow the tie bar manufacturer’s adjustment
procedures.
Check steerin g opera tion. Make su re that t he
steering system operates properly at variou s trim
angles.
Confirm Alignment
To confirm proper alignment, perform the following
steps:
• Water test the boat.
• Monitor the water pressure for both outboards.
• Run the boat at various trim angles.
• Perform steering maneuvers and vary the throt-
tle settings.
• Monitor boat and outboard performance.
A sudden loss of water pressure or excessive pro-
peller ventilatio n on one or both outboards may
indicate a misalignment of the gea rcases. Reset
the outboard alignment and retest.
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