BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS 31 Sharp Turn


(Executing this maneuver at high speeds can be dangerous and is not recommended.) Prior to executing a sharp turn, look around to make sure it is safe to turn and alert your passengers to hold on for the turn. Once this has been done, turn the wheel hard over and advance the throttle. When making a sharp turn most small powerboats will roll or heel significantly.


If the turn is executed at too high a speed, air may be drawn into the propeller, resulting in loss of thrust and a sudden increase in engine rpm. If this happens, reduce the throttle and the turn.


Avoidance Turn


This maneuver is used to prevent the stern of your boat from swinging into an obstacle when you’ve turned too late or too close. As soon as the bow is abreast of the obstacle, you should quickly reverse the turn to swing the stern back away from the obstacle.


Turn Right


Turn when bow is abreast of object.


Turn Left High-Speed Turn


Prior to making a high-speed turn, check to see that it is clear and safe to turn, and alert your passengers. Turn the wheel gradually and deliberately to maintain control throughout the maneuver. The greater the speed, the wider and more gradual the turn should be. If the turn is too sharp, the propeller will ventilate and turning control will be lost.


High-Speed Stop


While it’s recommended to gradually reduce boat speed before stopping, you may be faced with a situation where you need to stop quickly at higher speeds. In addition to the possibility of momentarily losing steering control, there is a risk in some boats of the boat’s wake coming over the transom and filling up the well or cockpit.


To avoid this flooding problem, use the following maneuver: 1 Reduce throttle to idle rpm and make a 90-degree turn. 2 Shift into neutral.


Table of Contents


To stop quickly at higher speeds, cut throttle and turn sideways.


Turn Left


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