PRSA’s 19 foot Skiff

Care and Use

PRO: Please give this to the responsible boat operator.

Have your boat safety certificate with you; though rarely enforced, it is the law. Get one at http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse.

Leave cover at the slip.
Check Gas (black line on tank under console is plenty). If needed, go to Alexandria with a 5 gallon gas can and get mid-grade 89 octane gas; add using the long funnel stored under the console.
Engine should be in up position for trailering and launching. The toggle switch on the throttle handle will raise and lower it.
Install drain plug (from the outside, flip handle down).
Lower bumpers
Trailer has 2” hitch, but, can be towed in the yard with 1 7/8” ball. Be sure hitch is seated on ball.
Once at the ramp, remove winch bow strap and safety chain before backing down ramp.
A helper on the dock should be holding onto the painter.
Back down ramp until boat floats free

Starting

Lower engine using the toggle switch on throttle handle.
Attach safety lanyard; engine will crank, won’t start, without it (buzzer sounds).
Gear shift in neutral.
Insert key and start as you would your car, it has electronic fuel injection.
Look to see that water is coming out of the engine (left Side as you look back). Shut off if not! Find Vice Commodore!

Registration is under the seat, if needed.
Keep speed down while docking, turning and approaching boats and people.
The boat has a very flat bottom and will skid sideways. Lean into the turns to prevent this.
Unlike your sailboat, the boat has no centerboard, so it tends to turn back at the engine. Plan for this when approaching docks, capsized boats, etc.
The engine is powerful. Be respectful.

1. Check the safety lanyard.

2. Is controller in neutral?

3. Check the gas level.

4. Check the prop for fouling.

5. Is battery dead (blow horn)? Was bilge pump left on?

6. Get a tow.

Maneuvering

Boat is fast, be conscious of your speed. Stay in control!
There is no center board, so turning rate is controlled by inertia and engine power/helm.
Mind the wind and current when maneuvering near people in the water or near any other object.
Use neutral to control boat speed, Idle is sometimes too fast.

Retrieving

Raise motor.
Turn the sump pump, VHF radio, and anything else that uses the battery OFF!
Unwind the strap on the trailer about 4 feet.
Back trailer down until wheel fenders are almost submerged.
Thread bowline (tie it to the blue line under seat) through front tie down roller (black) on trailer.
Back trailer down until tow vehicle back wheels are partly submerged.
Pull blue line and boat will go onto trailer. A helper should try to keep rear of boat centered.
Cleat blue line to boat and pull trailer out enough to get bow strap attached, then completely.
Check to be sure the long rails on the trailer are flat and inside the long ribs on the bottom of the boat. If not, back boat into water and try again.
Stow lines and equipment.
Be careful when backing between our other boats, watch out for motor.

Wash the boat (soap and brush in seat).
Flush motor by attaching hose to hose fitting on side of motor.
Double check that all switches, particularly the sump pump switch and the VHF, are in the off position. Over a week’s time these kill the battery.
Return all equipment (paddles, boat hooks, life jackets, anchors) to their storage positions. Everything should be stored.
Remove the outer drain plug.
Replace cover and make sure it is well tied down in case of windy weather.
Raise trailer tongue onto cinder block stand so water will drain.

Report to the Vice-Commodore on any incidents and issues the boat committee or the next user of the boat should be aware of (vice-commodore@potomacriversailing.org or nabeel.alsalam@gmail.com or 703 786-1967 or in person).