When all your pre-departure checks have been com-
pleted and the engine has warmed up, you will be ready
to leave the dock. Take into account the amount of
wind, tide current, and other forces that may affect your
maneuvering as you leave the dock. Idle speeds work
best when maneuvering to and from the dock. Do not
forget to release the mooring lines.
Once the boat has slowed and motor is idling, place the
shift in REVERSE. Gradually increasing reverse power
with the throttle will allow you to stop the boat in a very
short distance.
NOTE: A boat will not respond to steering in reverse
nearly as well as it does when going forward, so do not
expect to accomplish tight turning maneuvers when
backing up.
A. Leaving the Dock
You are ready to leave the dock after the engine has
warmed up. Check all gauges for appropriate readings
before casting off. If oil pressure is abnormally low or
engine temperature is abnormally high, stop the engine
immediately. Check voltmeter to be sure the charging
system is working properly. Check for fuel, oil, and
exhaust leaks. Correct the cause of any abnormal con-
dition before getting underway.
Remember that all boats steer by the stern (the feeling
is much like steering your automobile in reverse). This
means that the stern of your boat will swing in the direc-
tion opposite to your turn. For example, when you turn
the helm wheel to the left, the stern of your boat will
swing in the direction opposite to your turn. This is
especially important to keep in mind when docking, op-
erating in close quarters with other boats, or when ap-
proaching a swimmer or downed skier in the water.
Always look behind you and to both sides of the boat
before slowing down. Tell your passengers your inten-
tions to allow them time to make adjustments to their
balance or positions.
Make sure passengers sitting in the bow area
do not obstruct the operator’s vision when cast-
ing off or while underway.
After making sure your boat is ready, check wind, tide,
current and other forces that will affect the way you
maneuver your boat away from the dock. Throw moor-
ing lines off to your boat. 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.
Run your engine at a slow speed as you move away
from the dock. If you move the bow out first, watch that
the stern of the boat does not swing into the dock or a
piling.
Slowly pull back on throttles, glance back and see if a
large following wave is approaching the transom. If so
give the engines a little throttle as the wave arrives to
keep wave from rolling over the transom.
Once you have spent enough time practicing maneu-
vers and have a feel for how the boat handles, you will
be ready to run in open waters.
T - 6
ACCELERATION
Once away from the dock, devote some time to learn-
ing how to maneuver. Practice docking using an imagi-
nary dock. Practice stopping and reversing.
Before accelerating to bring you boat on plane,
be sure that the area in front of your boat is
clear. The bow will rise out of the water mo-
mentarily before you plane and may temporarily
obstruct your vision.
B. Stopping
Boats have no brakes. Stopping is accomplished by
backing down on the throttle. Practice stopping ma-
neuvers and learn early how your boat reacts. From
forwardmotion,pullthethrottlebacktowardsNEUTRAL.
Depending on your speed, the distance the boat travels
until it comes to a complete stop will vary. The ability to
measure the distance will only be acquired through ex-
perience.
If you have never had your boat on plane before, choose
a calm day for your first on plane experience. Never
boat beyond your ability and experience.
Before bringing your boat “on plane”, check the entire
area to make sure you have a clear, safe path. As you
throttle up to accelerate, your boat will increase its angle
of trim, causing the bow to ride high. From a maximum
angle, the boat will level out to its planing attitude with
Freedom™/Horizon™ Owner’s Manual
Section T
Page5
| Categories | Four Winns Freedom Manuals, Four Winns Horizon Manuals, Four Winns Manuals, Outboard Marine Corporation Manuals |
|---|---|
| Tags | Four Winns Freedom 170, Four Winns Freedom 180, Four Winns Horizon 170, Four Winns Horizon 180, Four Winns Horizon 190, Four Winns Horizon 200, Four Winns Horizon 210, Four Winns Horizon 230, Four Winns Horizon 250, Four Winns Horizon 280 |
| Model Year | 2003, 2004, 2005 |
| Download File |
|
| Document Type | Owner's Manual |
| Language | English |
| Product Brand | Boats and Cruisers, Four Winns. For support contact your dealer at http://www.fourwinns.com/locate-dealer.aspx |
| Document File Type | |
| Publisher | fourwinns.com |
| Wikipedia's Page | Outboard Marine Corporation |
| Copyright | Attribution Non-commercial |
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