Going out on your own boat is not just fun, it's a responsibility to take care of passengers' lives and safety. Many beginners mistakenly believe that having gasoline in the tank and a good engine is enough to make a confident start. However, operating a small vessel requires an understanding of water physics, knowledge of navigation signs and proven maneuvering skills.
The first steps in water-motoring always begin with theoretical preparation and study of the design of your boat or boat. Safety at sea This article will take you through all the steps from pre-launch inspection to mooring, so that your first exit is without incident or technical problems.
You have to master not only management. thrusterAnd it's also about learning to sense wind and flow. And GIMS statistics show that most accidents happen in the first hours of a self-driving journey, because of a trivial misunderstanding of the principles of inertia on the water, and let's prepare for that.
Preparation of the vessel and inspection of equipment
Before pushing the boat to the water, you need to conduct a thorough external inspection, the body should not have cracks, and the transom must be rigidly fixed. Pay special attention to the fastening of the motor: the rods must be tightened with force, eliminating spontaneous attenuation from vibration. Trans-car corner Often ignored, but it affects the effectiveness of glossing.
Testing the fuel system is critical. Make sure the hoses are free of scuffs and the paging pear keeps the pressure. If you use PVC boats, check the pressure in the cylinders, as it can change in the sun, which will affect the hardness of the bottom and handling. Metal boats are critical to the presence of scooper and life jackets by number of passengers.
⚠️ Attention: Never get on the water without checking for a working anchor and anchor. Stopping the engine on the current of 2-3 knots can carry a light boat in minutes, and paddle against the current is almost impossible.
Put all the equipment you need in your sealers, and the dry stuff, the documents, and the first aid kit should be available, but they're spray-proof, and remember, water is an aggressive environment, and the electronics that are left unprotected will go out of order very quickly.
☑️ Pre-start check
Starting the engine and leaving the shore
The start-up process depends on the type of engine you have. Yamaha or Tohatsu It is important to observe the proportion of mixing gasoline with oil, if there is no auto-mix system. Honda or MercuryThey require that the oil level in the crankcase be checked before each launch, and neglecting this rule leads to the piston group bullies.
After starting, allow the engine to warm up at idle speeds, during which time make sure that the control hole is a stream of water - this is a sign of a proper cooling system. If there is no water more than 15-20 seconds, immediately shut down the engine to avoid overheating.
Leaving the shore is the moment that requires maximum concentration. First, push your paddle or hand away from the shallow waters so as not to wind the grass on the screw. Only when you are at a depth sufficient for the screw to work, you can switch to gear and add gas.
When you leave, always consider the direction of the wind. It's easiest to bow against the wind or the wave, so the boat is better on course. If the wind blows into the boat, use short gas and active rotating of the roomer for a turn.
What to do if the motor does not start on water?
If the engine doesn't start, first check for sparks and fuel. Often the problem is the valve on the fuel tank or the knocked contacts of candles. Don't try to spin the starter for a long time without results, this will land the battery, and you will be left without communication and navigation.
Basics of management and manoeuvring
Driving a motorboat is very different from driving a car, it's not braked, it's very long inertia, it takes a lot longer to stop, it takes a gas to drop and if necessary, it can reverse. gearbox Or throwing a passenger overboard.
The tiller is an extension of your hand. Turning the tiller to the left sends the screw to the right, turning the bow of the boat to the left. At low speeds, the boat listens to the tiller sluggishly, so the movements must be smooth and pre-planned. In planing, the reaction becomes acute, and a sharp jerk can lead to a sharp jerk. tilt.
It's important to learn to sense the hull's yaw, and if the boat starts to drift away on a straight course, it might be that the differential lobe (trim tab) on the engine's lower unit is incorrectly displayed, and that's the element that's adjusted to compensate for the thrust and reduce the load on the helmsman's hands.
For a 180 degree turn, use the circular technique. At high speed, the turning radius will be huge. To turn around in a small space, drop the gas, move the humming wheel to the point and briefly add revolutions. The boat will turn around its center of gravity.
Mooring skills and approach to the pier
The approach to the pier is one of the most difficult elements for a beginner, and it's the opposite of the car: when approaching the pier against the wind, the boat brakes itself, and the gas must be discharged beforehand, if you approach the wind, then the inertia will persist, and there is a risk of a battering berth.
Always plan a 30-45 degree approach to the berth, which will give you time and space to correct your course. When you get to the point where you need to stop, briefly reverse to quench the inertia. Once the boat stops, switch to neutral immediately.
The mooring requires an assistant, you should throw the end from the boat to the shore when the dock is 1-1.5 meters away. If you are alone, try to dock with your nose to the gently shore or use the anchor to fix the position, pulling up behind the anchor shaft.
Remember. screw-inertiaEven after the gas is discharged, the propeller continues to rotate inertia, creating thrust, and consider this factor when maneuvering in narrowness or near other vessels.
⚠️ Attention: When mooring, never wind the mooring end over your arm or leg. A sudden snatch from a wave or wind can cause severe limb injuries or fall overboard. Keep the rope only in your hands, controlling tension.
Action in emergency situations
On the water, there are fewer emergencies than on the road, but the consequences are more serious. The main danger is the loss of a person overboard. If this happens, immediately release the gas, throw a lifeline or any floating object to the person in distress, and without losing sight of it, make a maneuver to retrieve.
If you run out of water, don't panic. Attach yourself immediately if the depth allows you to keep the boat from drifting off the fairway or onto rocks. Check the fuel filter-sludge tank: often the problem is in the water or dirt. Pulling the fuel system and checking the candles is the next step.
In case of a hole or roll, act quickly. Use buckets to scoop up water, turn on an electric or hand pump if you have one. If the boat continues to sink, put on life jackets and prepare to evacuate by snuggling board to board with a suitable vessel or using a life raft.
| Situation | First action. | Second act. | What can't be done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man overboard | Drop the gas, drop the salvage circle | Go back and pick up. | Losing visual contact |
| Engine failure | Anchor. | Check fuel and candles | Paddle along the fairway |
| Water supply | Find and shut up the leak. | Activate pump/scoop | Dramatically move on the boat |
| Engine fire | Shut down the fuel faucet. | Use a fire extinguisher | Open the hood completely |
Always have on board a working mobile phone in a sealed bag and a saved number of the rescue service (in Russia it is 112 or GIMS channel).
GIMS Rules and Water Safety
Knowledge of the rules of the road for small craft (SDA MS) is mandatory for every boating. There is a concept of "boat going with the flow" that has an advantage over the vessel going against the current. Also always give way to large vessels that are limited in maneuver due to depth.
The speed limit within the visibility of the coast, bathing areas and settlements is limited to 5 km / h. Exceeding this speed near people is a gross violation and creates a direct threat to the life of holidaymakers.
You need to know the navigation signs: buoys, milestones and tail signs. Red usually indicates the left side of the fairway (upstream), green - right. Ignoring the signs leads to stranding or collision with underwater obstacles.
boat registration and driving rights are mandatory for engines over 8 kW (about 10 hp) or boats over 4 meters long. Failure to file documents entails fines and delays. Always carry your boat's license and boat and motor documents.
Do I need a 5-hp motor license?
According to the current GIMS rules, if the engine power does not exceed 8 kW (approximately 10.88 hp) in terms of kilowatts, and the length of the vessel is less than 4 meters, registration with GIMS and the availability of rights is not required, however, this does not remove the responsibility for compliance with safety regulations.
What is the maximum allowed speed in the city?
Within the boundaries of settlements, places of mass recreation and on beaches, the speed of small boats should not exceed 5 km / h (zero or quiet mode), this is necessary for the safety of bathers and the prevention of dangerous waves.
What to do if you run out of gasoline in the middle of the water?
You should immediately anchor the boat so that it does not drift to the fairway or to dangerous objects, then you should call a tow by phone or radio.
The main principle of the water motor is: “Measure (check), cut (start) once.” 90% of problems on the water can be prevented by high-quality pre-launch preparation and sober calculation.