Owner`s manual

Gasoline vapors are highly explosive. To prevent a possible explosion and
fire, check for fumes or accumulation of fuel before each engine start.
6. Lower the stern drive to the run position. Make sure all
cooling water intake holes are submerged.
7. Attach the stop switch lanyard to operator. See engine
Owner’s Manual for specific instructions.
8. Make sure throttle is in the neutral position.
9. If the engine has a carburetor and the engine is cold,
advance the throttle several times and leave it in the
SLOW/START position. This actuates the carburetor
accelerator pump and feeds fuel to the engine.
10. Turn the key to the START position. Do not operate the
starter continuously for more than 10 seconds without
pausing. Allow the starter to cool between start
attempts. See engine Owner’s Manual for details.
NOTE: The engine will not turn over if the shift lever is
engaged. If the engine does not turn over, the shift lever
may not be in neutral. Move the throttle lever up and down
slightly and try again.
11. If the engine is equipped with a carburetor, run the
engine approximately 1-2 minutes at fast idle speed
(1200 to 500 RPM) to warm up the engine. Keep the
boat secure at the dock until the engine is warmed up.
Return the fast idle lever to the down position after
warm-up.
LEAVING THE DOCK
After the engine has warmed up, you are ready to leave the
dock. Before you cast off, check all gauges for proper read-
ings. If the oil pressure reading is abnormally low, or the
temperature reading is abnormally high, stop the engine
immediately. Check the operation of the steering by turning
the steering wheel to full port and to full starboard while ob-
serving outdrive movement. With boat still securely moored
to the dock and engine idling, move the throttle forward,
then aft, then back to neutral to check for proper shifting.
Check wind, tide and current or other forces that will af-
fect the way you maneuver your boat away from the dock.
Release the mooring lines and stow fenders.
When you have completed these pre-departure checks, shift
your boat’s engine into forward or reverse depending on
whether you want to move the bow or the stern away from
the dock first. Move the throttle lever to neutral, then push
forward quickly and firmly to shift into forward gear or pull
back to shift into reverse. Your engine should be running at a
slow speed as you move away from the dock. If you move the
bow out first, watch that the stern does not swing into the
dock or a piling.
Passengers are to remain seated while casting off and underway. Sudden
or unexpected movements may cause passenger to fall. Make sure pas-
sengers seated ahead of the helm console do not obstruct driver’s vision.
STEERING
Boat steering is not self-centering. Steering is affected by
engine and propeller torque, trim tab setting, wave and cur-
rent action, and the speed of the tubes through the water.
Constant attention to steering is required for safe operation.
Watch the stern when you turn! Steering a boat is like
driving a car with rear-wheel drive on slippery pavement
(Figure 5-2). When you turn the steering wheel, the stern
responds first by swinging in the opposite direction of the
bow. When you are leaving the dock or trying to avoid an
object in the water, this swing can be critical. Trimming
your engine can make steering the boat easier. Be sure to
balance your passengers. Too much weight in the bow can
make steering more difficult.
Always give yourself plenty of room to make a turn. You
should also slow the speed of your boat while turning.
Never make sharp, fast turns because you can easily endan-
ger your passengers or lose control of your boat.
When making tight turns, trim engine in for better handling.
Since both the thrust and steering are at the stern of the
boat, the stern pushes away from the direction of the turn.
The bow follows a smaller turning circle than the stern
(Figure 5-3).
LEFT TURN
Turn wheel to left–
Stern will move to right.
BACKING TO LEFT
Turn wheel to left–
Stern will pull to left.
RIGHT TURN
Tu rn wheel to right–
Stern will move to left.
FIGURE 5-2 STEERING
STERN
CIRCLE
BOW
CIRCLE
FIGURE 5-3 TURNING
5.4