Operating a Motor Boat

Operating a Motor Boat

Motor Operation

The outboard motor is a spark ignition engine. Fuel from the fuel tank enters the carburetor where it mixes with air in a given proportion. From the carburetor, the gas mixture enters the cylinder. In the cylinder, a spark plug emits a spark that ignites the mixture, triggering an explosion that drives the piston. This sets in motion a crankshaft (or drive shaft) linked to the piston by a connecting rod. Successive explosions in the cylinder cause the crankshaft to turn and a gear assembly activates the propeller.

The internal temperature of a spark ignition engine is over 3200 Celsius (4000 F). Therefore, the motor must be cooled. Outboard motors are cooled by water.

While the motor is running, water is drawn in through openings located at the base of the motor (see Figure 2.1, no. 14) under the anti-cavitation plate. Water flows around the cylinders before being flushed out into the surrounding body of water through a cooling system control jet. It exits through an orifice located near the cylinder head (see Figure 2.1, no. 1).

Most outboard motors are two-stroke engines; four-stroke engines also exist.

Two- and four-stroke engines differ in the way that lubricating oil enters the cylinders. In a two- stroke engine, oil is added to fuel in the tank itself (manufacturers specify how much oil to add to the fuel). However, some two-stroke outboard engines have two tanks: one for gas and another for oil. The oil and gas mix automatically before reaching the cylinders. In a four- stroke engine, oil is added through a separate opening located near the drive shaft. Too little oil can cause the metal to overheat and damage the motor.

Figure 2.1 — Typical Outboard Motor

Key

1. Water pump indicator
2. Drive selector or gear selector
3. Choke
4. Starter cord
5. Throttle
6. Emergency stop/tension control
7. Emergency stop cord
8. Fastening clamp
9. Motor tilt control
10. Drift corrector/anti-corrosion anode
11. Water outlet
12. Propeller
13. Oil indicator (emptying and filling)
14. Water intake device
15. Fuel exhaust
16. Lift lever

Boating Trip Plans

Trip Plans

Another useful safety measure is filing a trip plan. Before heading out, the operator of a pleasure craft should complete a thorough trip plan and file it with a responsible person who is familiar with the instructions to follow in case of emergency. During the trip, the plan should be updated to avoid an unnecessary call for help should you decide to deviate from your original plan. Filing a trip plan will assist rescuers when it is necessary to initiate a call for search and rescue in case of emergency.

The trip plan should contain the following information:

• name and registration number of craft
• type of craft .. sailing or power driven
• name, address and phone # of owner
• number of persons on board
• size, type and colour of craft
• engine type (inboard, outboard)
• distinguishing features of craft
• type of radiotelephone and channel monitored
• safety equipment on board
• emergency instructions
• trip description: departure time, return time, and proposed route

Pre-departure Checklist

Another helpful tip is to make and fill-out a checklist of all required equipment and supplies prior to leaving the dock. This will help to avoid situations which could lead to unnecessary emergencies, (such as running out of fuel, dehydration, hypothermia etc).

Emergency Kit

An emergency kit is an item that is often overlooked when equipping a pleasure craft. These items could be kept in a plastic bag or a sealable watertight plastic container of sufficient size.

This kit should include:

• a flashlight
• a whistle
• a knife
• a first aid kit
• emergency rations
• drinking water
• dry clothing.

Get trained on Boating Safety

In 1997, power boating surpassed swimming as the specific recreational activity accounting for the most water-related deaths. Deaths from pleasure power boating rebounded to 73 fatalities, up from 59 in the previous year.  These statistics do not reflect the number of life altering injuries and the high dollar loss values incurred as a result of powerboat accidents.  Young males between 18 and 24 years continue to have the highest preventable water-related death rate of all age groups.  In the majority of all powerboat accident related drownings, the lack of use of personal floatation devices (P.F.D’s), was cited as a causal factor.

Statistics from 1996, which are based on an estimated total of approximately 50,000 personal watercraft, reflects an alarming rate of 15 deaths per 100,000 watercraft.  Risk-taking behaviour was cited as the most common singular factor in PWC fatalities.

The increase in use and popularity of PWC’s indicated an imminent need for strengthened boat operator training and regulations.

Your attention to this post shows that you want to be part of the solution. This course will provide you with an easy to follow “common sense” approach to power boating.. Plus all preparatory tools to enjoy power boating safely!

Do You Know how to Boat Smartly?

Know the safe boating "Rules of the Road"

• No children under 12 years of age can operate a powerboat with more than a 10 hp motor.
• Youths 12 to 15 years of age may only operate a boat with a motor over 40 hp if accompanied and directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older.
• Minimum age for operating a personal watercraft (sea-doo, jetski) is 16 years of age.
• New small vessel safety equipment and safety precaution requirements for boaters include a new “careless operation of a vessel” offence which requires boaters to travel safely and avoid putting themselves and others at risk.
• Operators of powerboats must have proof of operator competency.
  • As of September 1999, this applies to any person born after April1, 1983.
  • As of September 2002, this applies to any person operating a powerboat less than 4 meters, including personal watercraft (PWC).
  • As of September 2009, this applies to all operators of all powerboats and PWC’s

Get trained on Boating Safety.

Get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card! It's the Law!

Know before you go
Avoid danger by taking a few minutes to check

• Weather forecast
• Local hazards
• maps and charts
• PFD’s
• first aid kit, tool kit, tools and spare parts
• sufficient fuel
• safety equipment in working order
• does someone know where you are going and when to expect you back

Wear your life jacket!

Less than 5% of all drowning victims were wearing a life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device).  Less than half of the people who wear a PFD, wear it properly.

Wear the right gear

Good sunglasses, appropriate clothing, and the necessary paddles, whistles and flares are the right gear too.

Boat Sober!

Don’t drink and drive in your boat.  Alcohol is involved in 36% of all preventable water-related fatalities and over half of all power boating accidents.

Drive your powerboat or PWC responsibly

Look before you act, stay low, drive at moderate speed and be aware of changing weather conditions and time of day.

Learn to swim

Never dive into shallow water

Don’t go in the water alone

Always swim with a buddy.

Always supervise young children near water

Play and swim in supervised areas only