Specifications

ON THE WATER
90-860168040 JANUARY 2004 Page 41
0035.02
Impact With Underwater Hazards
mc79680
Reduce speed and proceed with caution whenever you’re driving a boat in shallow water
or in areas where the waters are suspected of having underwater obstacles that could be
struck by the underwater drive components, rudder or the boat bottom.
IMPORTANT: The most important thing you can do to help reduce injury or impact
damage from striking a floating or underwater object is control the boat speed. Under
these conditions, boat speed should be kept to a maximum speed of 24-40 km/h
(15-25 mph).
Striking a floating/underwater object may result in an infinite number of situations. Some of
these situations could result in the following:
• The boat could move suddenly in a new direction. Such a sharp change in direction
or turn can cause occupants to be thrown out of their seats or out of the boat.
• A rapid reduction in speed. This will cause occupants to be thrown forward, even out
of the boat.
• Impact damage to the underwater drive components, rudder and/or boat.
Keep in mind, one of the most important things you can do to help reduce injury or impact
damage in these situations is control the boat speed. Boat speed should be kept to a
minimum planing speed when driving in waters known to have underwater obstacles.
After striking a submerged object, stop the engine as soon as possible and inspect the drive
system for any broken or loose parts. If damage is present or suspected, the power package
should be taken to an authorized Mercury MerCruiser dealer for a thorough inspection and
necessary repair.
The boat should be checked for hull fractures, transom fractures and water leaks.
Operating with damaged underwater drive components, rudder or boat bottom could cause
additional damage to other parts of the power package, or could affect control of the boat.
If continued operation is necessary, do so at greatly reduced speeds.
WARNING
Avoid serious injury or death from loss of boat control. Continued boating with
major impact damage can result in sudden component failure with or without
subsequent impacts. Have the power package thoroughly inspected and any
necessary repairs made.