1. BOATING SKILLS AND SEAMANSHIP
Lesson 4
HANDLING YOUR BOAT
Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc

2. Lesson Objectives Boat handling and loading Fueling and 1/3 rule
Prop selection and operation
Safe boating operation
Anchoring procedures
About hypothermia
Undocking and docking/mooring
Heavy weather operations

3. Fueling Your Boat 1/3 rule Ground fuel hose to boat rail or gas cap
Keep fumes out
Prevent spills
Portable tanks
Gasoline in bilge

4. Getting Started Brief your guests Check on weather
Life jackets out and ready
Test throttle and steering
Gas and oil – check gages
Engine warmed up – check gages & tell tale

5. Hull Types Handling Characteristics

6. Propellers Selecting the right prop To protect prop, use:
Shear pin
Slip Hub
Should carry on board
Spare pins
Spare prop
Tools
Guard against cavitation & ventilation

7. Propeller Diameter and Pitch

8. Powering your boat
The Prop
Modifications
Speed vs. Horse Power

9. Jet Drives
PWCs …………………………. Age?
OTS ………………………… Kill Switch
Local Laws

10. Safety First Don’t overload Secure load from shifting
Bow, gunwales, seat backs, stern are not seats
Don’t’ Stand

11. Steering
Car
Front wheels steer and vehicle moves in direction you turn
Boat
Stern steers & back half of boat moves in opposite direction before eventually moving in direction you intend
Pivot point generally 1/3 back from bow
May control with spring lines
Stopping

12. Driving Cars and Boats

13. Steering, Single Prop Forward gear, stern moves in opposite direction
Reverse gear, stern moves in direction of turn
Right hand prop has small prop walk to right in forward, larger walk to port in reverse
You will turn the wheel in the direction that you wish your bow to go. That does not change the fact that the stern is what is moving first, and that it moves in the opposite direction. 56

14. Steering Twin - Props
Each Engine Will have Its own Throttle and Gear Controls
You Can Turn Slowly by Operating One Engine Faster Than the Other
Prop walk offset by one left & one right hand prop. When operating only one, remember walk
You Can PIVOT in a Narrow Area by Putting One engine in FORWARD, the Other in REVERSE
With the port throttle going faster than the starboard, its thrust will be greater and help to push the vessel in a curve toward starboard. With one gear in forward, the other in reverse, many twin engine vessels can pivot practically within their own length. 57

15. Steering Techniques Twin Propellers
Steer with rudder when at speed
Use differential prop thrust at dock
Use both rudder and thrust to walk sideways
Forward on port, reverse on starboard to swing bow to starboard
Since forward prop has more thrust, rudder to port with above also moves stern to starboard

16. Steering Techniques Jet Drive
No prop; no prop walk
No neutral; balance forward & reverse thrust
Turns require
power use burst
Pivot point
nearer intake;
sharp turns

17. Tilt Adjustment Lift bow in flat water for speed
Drop bow in rough water for comfort and damage prevention

18. Docking Wind & Current Crew Slow and easy (“Fending Off”)
Lines & Fenders

19. Docking or Undocking Where is wind? Where is current? When docking
What is its effect on your boat?
Where is current?
When docking
Check wind & current by stopping boat.
Use ample amount of neutral

20. Leaving dock - Wind off dock

21. Leaving dock - Wind on bow

22. Springing Away From Dock; Wind Onto Dock

23. Docking - Wind Onto Dock

24. Docking - Wind off Dock

25. Anchor Types

26. Anchoring Boat’s Motion Lowering Anchor Setting Anchor Anchor Dragging
Deck Fastenings
Checking Position

27. Anchor Rode Everything between boat and anchor Line Thimble Shackle
Wire Lock
Chain

28. The Anchor Rode Rode Chain Recommended use of nylon line
Name For the Line and All Associated Gear From Boat to Anchor
Chain
Connects between Anchor and Line
Prevent Chafing of line on Bottom
Recommended use of nylon line
Stretches as wave action lifts vessel
Acts as a shock absorber
As in any other safety matter, selecting the right line for the job is most important. 67

29. Deploying the Anchor Find a protected spot
Head Your boat Into wind/current
Stop Boat
Lower the anchor until it reaches bottom
Back slowly while letting out the Line
Normal Scope:
7 TO 1
If Depth is 10 ft Scope is 70 ft
Not letting out enough line is probably the most common anchoring error for the novice boater. Remember, the waves are lifting you up and down. Severe wind and waves, or anchoring in an area where you will be subjected to a lot of wake action puts much strain on the anchor. If the line is too short, this will result in the anchor pulling out of the bottom. When this happens the anchor often flips over and the points are no longer able to catch. 68

30. Properly Set Anchor
A properly set anchor will have enough line out so that the anchor and most of the chain will lie flat along the bottom.

31. Raising the Anchor Head the boat toward the anchor
Go head slowly, hauling In the Line
Stop Boat when Over Anchor (Line is Straight down)
Lift Anchor Slowly
Use Care – Prevent the Anchor From Bashing against the Hull 69

32. Getting Underway
Weighing anchor
Fouled anchor
Using boat’s power

33. Heavy Weather The Warning Signs Radio Radar Visibility Narrow Inlets
Bars
Get Advice

34. Underway Preparation Heavy Weather Close topside openings
Pump out bilges
Secure loose gear
Put on life jackets
Break out emergency gear
Check / update position
Look for shelter
Instruct crew

35. Broaching

36. Pitchpoling

37. Yawing
Unintended turning of boat due to slow speed or loss of rudder contact with water at crest of wave
May require considerable engine power to overcome once prop & rudder back in water

38. Using a Drogue

39. Operating in “thick” Weather
Operate at a Safe Speed
Need to:
See and be seen
Hear and be heard
Use:
Lookouts forward
Passive radar reflector

40. The Sea is so Large

41. Safety at Sea Equipment You get what you pay for
Knowledge and experience
You are here
Common sense
Know when to go and when not
Have a plan
MOB, Medical Emergency,Spill, Lost, Out of Fuel, Mechanical Failure, Fire At Sea, and Sinking

42. Running Aground Check for leaks Raise outboard
Move passengers to stern
Try rocking boat
Place anchor astern and pull off
Call for assistance

43. Environmental Concerns
Follow markers
Don’t stir up bottom
Use proper anchoring technique
Properly dispose of waste
Beware of oil and fuel spills

44. Summary Fueling procedures The propeller Driving boat vs. car
Twin vs. single screw handling
Tilt adjustments
Loading the boat
Getting started
Leaving pier and docking
Mooring and anchoring
Heavy weather