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While underway keep a constant vigil for other craft that may be approaching, the gauges on your
boat, location of passengers and the general sound and feel of your craft. Often, a change in the
way the engine sounds or the boat feels will presage a problem. Your early attention may prevent
a more serious problem.
If you should strike an underwater object, bring the throttle to neutral and stop the engine.
Inspect the lower unit for damage. If none is apparent, proceed as before but heighten
your awareness of the engine and its operation to make sure a problem has not gone
undetected. Check the propeller whereas a bent prop may cause unusual vibration, cavitation and
reduced performance.
9.4 Towing or Being Towed
Sooner or later your will have the misfortune of having to be towed in or needing to tow
someone back to a safe landing. It is important that this be done properly so that a difficult
situation does not become worse. This comes under a longstanding, unwritten law of the sea that
one boater will aid another in time of distress. The 1971 Boating Safety Act grants protection to
those assisting others at sea as ”Good Samaritans” and absolves them of civil liability rising from
the aid being provided.
When being towed, it is best to have a line passed from the tow boat to the one being
towed,
assuming the towing boat has a line of adequate size and length. The towboat should also tow
the
disabled vessel from as close to amidships as possible. This reduces
the
tendency to yaw. If possible, the towing boat should use a bridle attached to the
two stern ski tow eyes. The vessel being towed should attach the towline to the
bow eye that holds the boat onto the trailer. This provides an optimal tow
position and a strong tow point. Have the occupants of the boat being towed sit
aft of amidships, but not all in the stern. Attention should be given so the boat
remains balanced and on an even keel. Some boats tow better with the engine
tilted out of the water, others need the engine to act as a rudder to be able to
maintain a straight line. Start with the engine tilted. If that does not work well
lower the engine until it is about perpendicular.
You should never attempt to plane off the boat being towed.
9.5 Stopping the Boat
Gradually bring the controls back to the low forward position and allow the boat to gradually slow
down. After the boat has dropped into the displacement mode, shift to the neutral position. If you
have been running the boat hard for some time, allow the engine to idle for several minutes to
gradually cool down. After docking and securing the boat, raise the trim tabs to the fully upright
position and turn off the ignition.
9.6 Docking
Safe docking keeps your boat from being damaged and is an indicator of a capable and
knowledgeable captain. There are many docking maneuvers, which will be done while boating;
only the basics will be discussed here. Several constants to always use as guides while docking:
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