Weight Distribution
Onboard weight distribution affects the ride and handling of your boat. It
is important to disperse the weight of passengers and onboard gear
evenly in your boat. Avoid excessive weight at either the bow or the
stern of the boat.
Note: Excessive weight at the bow of your boat can cause the nose to
dive underwater, resulting in rapid deceleration.
Steering
Boat steering is affected by a number of forces, and is different from
steering a car. A boat is not self-centering, and engine and propeller
torque, trim tab settings, boat speed, and the actions of waves and
currents can all affect steering. For a safe ride, a boat driver must pay
constant attention to steering. Keep the following in mind as you steer
your Manitou:
< Be aware that as you steer, the stern responds first by swinging in the
opposite direction of the bow. The bow follows a smaller turning
radius than the stern. When you are leaving the dock or trying to
avoid an object in the water, awareness of this swing is critical.
< Leave plenty of room to make a turn.
< Slow the speed of your boat while turning, and avoid tight, fast turns.
Sharp, high-speed turning can endanger your passengers and cause
you to lose control of the vessel.
< Leaving the engine trimmed up when you are turning can result in
engine ventilation. For more information about engine ventilation,
please refer to the owner’s manual for your engine.
< Trim the engine down for better handling, especially when you are
making tight turns.
< If you are caught in heavy waves, head either directly into the waves
or enter them at a slight angle. Reduce your speed, but maintain
enough power to move your boat safely.
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