Steering Tips When Docking a Boat
When you’re in close quarters, turn the wheel while the engine is in neutral. Then bump it into and out of gear to make minor adjustments.
Tips for Steering a Boat in Reverse
As you’re backing up, keep an eye on where you want to go and make small adjustments with the wheel as needed. When you’re ready to stop, put the boat in neutral and let it coast to a stop.
Boat Operation Tips
Ideally, the boat should spend more time in neutral than in forward and reverse gear. This will keep you from building too much momentum and allow you to let the boat glide across the water.
Pontoon Boat Docking Procedure
- Put the boat in neutral.
- Allow the boat to coast toward the dock.
- Slightly trim the motor.
Boat Fuel and Engine Issues
Your outboard may be stalling & running out of fuel due to three issues: the lift pump has failed, the boat is out of fuel, or there is an air leak or blockage in the fuel lines running fuel from the tank to the engine.
Testing Boat Neutral Safety Switch
To safely dock a pontoon boat you have to follow the next steps: Put the boat in neutral. Allow the boat to coast toward the dock. Slightly trim the motor.
Boat Propulsion Systems
Outboards shift into neutral when the throttle is in the middle position, disconnecting the transmission gears. Jet boats work by moving a bucket to control direction – neutral is the spot between forward and reverse bucket positions.
Proper Functioning of Neutral Safety Switch
If there is a connection when in neutral but not in other gears, the switch is working properly.
Importance of Boat Neutral Safety Switch
Replacing a failed neutral safety switch typically costs $150-175 in parts and labor. The neutral safety switch plays an important safety role, so it should be tested regularly to ensure safe operation.
Understanding Boat Neutral Switch
The basic idea of a neutral safety switch is to prevent starting a boat’s engine when its transmission is “in gear”. This prevents the boat from moving suddenly and unexpectedly when an engine is started and is a good safety feature.
Neutral Safety Switch Incident
Recently a 90’ motor vessel’s engine started in gear and damaged the dock to which it was secured. The incident highlighted the importance of having a functioning neutral safety switch.
Shift Interrupter Switch
Start-In-Gear protection – Neutral Safety Switch: Outboard Engines developing more than 115 lb. of static thrust must have a device that prevents the engine from starting when the engine is in gear.