Safe Boating Checklist Hull Design Full Keel Fin Keel Hydrodynamic Lift Spring Lines Power Outboards Power Outboards - Steering with Getting Underway Local Knowledge Fairlead Positioning Steering to Weather Jib Telltales Boat Balance Center of Effort Center of Lateral Resistance Relative Trim Weather Helm Balanced Helm Lee Helm Man Overboard Drill Running Lights Horn Signals Sailing in Fog Sailing near Shipping Lanes Grounding

Fuel Most outboard engines have a 2 stroke combustion cycle and require a specific fuel and oil mixture to run. Dockside fuel pumps marked "Pre-Mix" have the right kind of mixture for 2 stroke engines. There are 4 stroke engines, notably Hondas, that use regular gas. Care should be taken so that each kind of engine is given only the right kind of fuel.

Tilt and Lower - Most outboards are made of light weight alloy that will dissolve if left in salt water continually. To avoid this problem, they each have a means of tilting the engine up so the lower part can be raised out of the water. The engine should always be raised while sailing so the lower part doesn't drag in the water and when leaving the boat to protect it from corro- sion. Some boats are also equipped with a mounting bracket to raise and lower the engine vertically. Usually it is put into the lower position for operation. Sometimes when the boat is heavily loaded this will cause the top part of the engine to get too low to the water. If this happens, you shouldn't put the engine all the way down.

Pre Start Check-Out

1. Make sure boat is secure to dock.
2. Check fuel supply.
3. Make sure tank is vented.
4. Check fuel lines and connections.
5. Make sure clamps are tight
6. Lower engine to proper running position
7. Engine in neutral.
8. Set choke and throttle.
9. Prime by squeezing primer bulb. (Bulb should fill, but not be hard.)

1. Make sure pre-start procedure is done.
2. Pull starter cord gently until mechanism engages.
3. Pull firmly - repeat if necessary.
4. When engine starts, push choke in and adjust throttle so that the engine will continue to run at low speed.
5. If it doesn't start right away, check primer bulb for firmness.
6. Make sure cooling water is coming out of the engine when it is running.

Braking - Reverse gear will help to slow down the boat, but the engine should not be depended upon to stop the boat in tight quarters. Bring the boat to the dock at slow speed so that braking isn't necessary.

Kill Switch - The engine can be stopped with the use of the kill switch. It usually is a black button located on the control panel or on the end of the tiller. To stop the engine, depress the button and hold it in until the engine stops completely. If the kill switch doesn't work, the engine can be stopped by pulling out the choke lever or disconnecting the fuel line.

Steering With the Engine

Outboard power has one important advantage over inboard power. The helmsman has the ability to steer with the engine. When the boat is not moving through the water fast enough for the rudder to function, the engine can do an excellent job of steering the boat by directing thrust at an angle from the stern of the boat.

Outboard engines have their own tillers. Usually the throttle control is located on the tiller. When the engine is in forward the tiller works the same way as the boat's tiller. In reverse, the engine tends to pull the stern of the boat in the direction opposite the tiller. Another way to look at is that in reverse, the engine will pull the stern in the direction toward the back of the engine. It's important to be able to steer with the engine in both forward and reverse when maneuvering in crowded places.

Windage and Current - It is always helpftil when sailing to be aware of wind and current conditions. When sailing on the bay, there is always some current. It can either be going out (ebbing) or coming in (flooding) from the sea. It's almost like sailing on a river, where sometimes you have to sail upstream, sometimes downstream, and sometimes across the flow. When the wind is in opposition to the current, it can set up steep waves called chop. It is important to understand currents so you can use them to your advantage whenever possible.

When docking or undocking, understanding wind and current is vital. When- ever possible, you should try to land at the dock against the direction of the wind and the current. This will give you maximum maneuverability when you need it most. Also it will help you to slow down easily on your final approach so you can come to a stop without hitting the dock. At Pete's Harbor the wind often blows across the channel. When moving slowly the effects of leeway due to cross wind are increased so you should take care not to get blown onto the boats docked at the leeward side of the channel.