7
CA7
Conditions Affecting Operation
Weight Distribution
Positioning of weight (passengers and gear) inside the boat has the following effects:
Shifting weight to rear (stern) will:
• Generally increases speed and engine RPM.
• At extremes can cause boat to porpoise.
• Causes bow to bounce in choppy water.
• Increases danger of following wave splashing into boat when coming off plane.
Shifting weight to front (bow) will:
• Improve ease of planing.
• Improve rough water ride.
• At extremes, can cause boat to veer back and forth (bow steer).
CA8
Bottom Of Boat
To maintain maximum speed, the following conditions of the boat bottom should be observed.
• Clean, free of barnacles and marine growth.
• Free of distortion; nearly flat where it contacts the water.
• Straight and smooth, fore and aft.
Marine vegetation may accumulate when boat is docked. This growth must be removed before operation; it may
clog water inlets and cause engine to overheat.