How To Boat
Handling a Boat
Steering
On a smaller boat with an outboard motor, the motor's handle is used to steer the boat. Since the engine is mounted on the rear of the boat, it pushes the stern around, making the bow go in the opposite direction. To turn to starboard (right), move the handle to the left. To turn to port (left), move the handle to the right. On larger boats with an outboard or inboard motor, a steering wheel is used to steer, much like driving a car.
Speed
The speed of a boat depends upon both the size of the motor and the boat. The speed of the motor is controlled by a throttle. This throttle has the same purpose as the gas pedal on a car.
Gearshift
The smallest outboard motors have no gearshift. The boat moves as soon as the engine is started. Larger motors have a gearshift lever. There are three positions - forward, neutral, and reverse. Place the lever into neutral to start the engine. Then, when it's running, you put the lever in forward or reverse gear to move forward or backward.
Placing the shift lever in neutral will not stop the boat. Since a boat does not have brakes you must learn to judge your speed and maneuver carefully using the forward and reverse controls to avoid hitting docks and other boats or objects.
Float Plan
Always let someone know where you are going, the water course you plan to take and when you plan t
Pole, Paddles, and Oars
Long poles can be used to move a small boat in shallow water. Paddles are mainly used with a canoe, but many states require that a paddle or pair of oars be part of a boat's emergency equipment. Oars can be used to move a boat on small bodies of water.
Electric Motor
A battery-powered electric motor can be used to move a small boat slowly on small ponds or on lakes. An electric motor is also often used on boats with outboard motors. The outboard is used to reach a fishing spot quickly. Then, the electric motor is used to control the boat's position while fishing.
Outboard Motor
An outboard motor is a gasoline engine mounted on a boat's stern, the back of the boat. Outboards range from one-horsepower to large engines of 200 horsepower or more. You control small outboards with a steering handle, often called a tiller. Large outboards are controlled with a steering wheel.
Inboard Engine
An inboard motor is completely inside the boat. Inboard engines can run on gasoline or diesel fuel and are usually found on boats 18 feet or longer.
