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WARNING! When the boat is connected to shore power, never
swim near the boat. A defective cable may cause an
electric shock.
CAUTION! Never switch o the current from the main circuit
breaker while the engine is running.
CAUTION! Do not use the metal hull of the boat as an electrical
conductor.
5.9 Handling characteristics
5.9.1 Driving at high speeds
Do not use the boat if the engine output exceeds the maximum
power indicated on the builder’s plate.
A few basic rules for adjusting the power trim:
− Use the ”bow down” position when making the boat plane.
− When the boat is planning and if the swell is low, lift the bow
until the boat starts to porpoise or the propeller loses its grip.
Then lower the bow slightly until the boat stabilises. Optimise the
power trim by means of the log.
− In head sea, lower the bow for a smoother ride. In following sea,
lift the bow to prevent it from nose-diving.
See the engine manual as well.
Normally, an outboard engine is installed in the lowest position on
the transom.
WARNING! At high speeds, adjust the power trim with great care
– it alters the behaviour of the boat radically. Do not
drive the boat with the bow too low to prevent the boat
from turning abruptly.
Do not drive at high speeds with a negative power trim
(bow low). If you do so, the boat may veer to one side
and become unstable when turning.
WARNING! Waves make it harder to control the boat and tend to
make it heel. Reduce the speed when waves get high.
Learn and follow the rules of the waterways and comply with the
COLREG (Convention on the International Regulations for Prevent-
ing Collisions at Sea) regulations. Navigate with care and use new
or updated nautical charts.
Always adjust your speed to prevailing conditions. Consider the
following:
− Swell (listen to your passengers)
− Wake (greatest when starting to plane and smallest at displace-
ment speeds below 6 knots). Observe the No Waves signs. Reduce
your speed to diminish the wake out of respect for others and for
your own safety.
− Visibility (islands, fog, rain, sun in your eyes)
− Familiarity with the route (time required for navigation)
− Width of the channel (other boaters, noise and wake hitting the
shore)
− Room required for stopping and evasive manoeuvring.
5.9.2 Visibility from the steering position
When the weather is fine and the sea calm, boating is simple pro-
vided that you keep a sharp lookout in accordance with the COLREG
regulations. Make sure that you have the best possible visibility
from the steering position:
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