PRSA’s 16 foot Skiff

(PDF of these instructions)

Care and Use

 

PRO: Please give this to the responsible boat operator. 

Operator:  Please read before using the boat.    At the end of the day, please make a report to the vice-commodore on anything the boat committee or next user should know about.

 

 

Towing and Launching – This Boat is Crane Launched

 

·       Leave cover & tie down lines at the slip.

·       Open the seat and turn the master battery switch to the on position.

·       Make sure engine is in up position for trailering to the crane.  Use toggle on the end of the control handle.

·       Check gas in the orange gas tank under the rear deck.  If less than half full, go to Alexandria with the tank and fill with premium grade (93 octane) gas.  (Give receipt to Yates or Nabeel for reimbursement.) Don’t over fill and close the vent when travelling to prevent gas from sloshing into your car.

·       Install center drain plug (from the outside, flip handle down).  There are 3 plugs in total but only the center plug should be off.

·       Trailer has 2” hitch, but, can be towed to crane with 1 7/8” ball.

·       Once at the crane, lower bumpers; loosen and unhook trailer strap and safety chain.

·       Lifting Bridle is under the seat, attach to “Lift Here” Points under front rail.

 

Starting

 

·       Lower engine.

·       Attach safety lanyard; engine will crank but will not start, without it.

·       Gear shift in neutral, handle horizontal.

·       In cooler weather, you can also prime the carburetors with a bit of gas by holding in the red button on the control level and pumping it forward and back two or three times.

·       Insert key and start as you would your car, it has auto choke.   (Don’t raise fast idle lever.)

·       Look to see that water is coming out of the engine (left side as you look back).  Shut off if not “peeing”!  Find Vice Commodore.

·       The engine is cold blooded.  Let it warm up for a few minutes or more in colder water/weather.  The first couple of times you try to accelerate to a plane it is likely to bog down.  Back off on the throttle before the engine dies and try again.  After two or three times, it’ll catch you’ll be off. 

 

If motor does not crank or start, DO NOT OPEN COVER

 

  1. Is the master battery switch under the seat in the on position?
  2. Is battery dead (blow horn), was bilge pump left on?
  3. Is the safety Lanyard connected?
  4. Is the controller in neutral?
  5. Is the gas line connected to the tank?  There is a second section from the filter to the engine.  Check that someone did not disconnect it.   
  6. Check the gas level.
  7. Check the prop for fouling.
  8. Get a tow.

 

On The Water

 

  1. Registration is under the seat, if needed.
  2. Keep speed down while docking, turning and approaching boats and people.
  3. Keep an eye on the gas tank.  Even big tanks can go dry.
  4. Observe safe rescue techniques when approaching boats in trouble.

 

Maneuvering

 

  1. When planing, slow down in the turns and lean into them. The boat’s bottom is very flat and it is easy to loose control.
  2. There is no centerboard, so boat doesn’t turn around its center.  Turning is controlled by engine power and angle. 
  3. Mind the wind and current when maneuvering near people in the water or near any other object.
  4. Use neutral (and reverse) to control boat speed when approaching dock or another boat. Idle is sometimes too fast.

 

Lifting out

 

·       Raise motor.

·       Attach bridle (gold and red fleck line under seat) to hooks under front rail marked “lift here”.

·       Attach front of boat to winch and tighten front first.

·       Lower back of boat down with lip of boat bottom just outside the bunk.

·       Stow lines and equipment.

 

Cleaning and storing

 

·       Wash the boat (soap and brush in seat) like you would your own boat.

·       If you have been in shallow muddy water, flush motor by attaching hose to hose fitting on side of motor.

·       Make sure the engine is up and that all switches are in the labeled off position.

·       Return all equipment (paddles, boat hooks, life jackets, anchors) to their storage positions.  Everything should be stored.

·       Remove center rear facing drain plug.

·       Turn master battery switch in the seat to the off position.  Otherwise, the battery will dead for the next race committee.

·       Leave gas tank and hoses connected.  Leave the vent open and push the tank under the seat.

·       Replace cover and make sure it is well tied down in case of windy weather.

·       Raise trailer tongue onto wooden stand so water will drain

 

Report