Driving a motorboat and rowing boat – (rules and advice): For those who bought a PVC boat for the first time, the question of how to operate it correctly and what to expect from it is worried. First of all, they are in no way inferior to boats made of aluminum or plastic: the same maneuverability and displacement. The special V-shape of the hull helps to maintain high speed and maneuverability during planning.
Driving a motorboat and rowing boat – (rules and advice)
Before going out into the open water, try your boat in motion: acceleration and braking, the ability to maneuver. Try to adjust the suspension height and the motor’s angle so that the boat does not jump on the water surface in large water. This is the general ratio of trim to the stern tube, or longitudinal length relative to the angle of inclination of the vessel’s underwater stern. Such measures will help you to avoid the incomprehensible behavior of the boat in high-risk conditions.
Influence of size and presence of a motor on boat movement
If oars are included in all boats, then the motor is your personal choice. It all depends on your desires and finances. To use the motor, be sure to choose a model with a glued-in, stationary transom (transom board). This type of mount reliably holds the motor in extreme conditions. The most popular type of small vessel is a universal PVC boat, 3.5 meters long, has a keeled bottom, and a solid aluminum deck. Consider a boat trip on this particular version, with a cockpit for 4 people (the cockpit is a recessed seat for passengers located closer to the stern).
The behavior of motorboats is very similar and not much different in the principle of movement. It all depends on the power of the motor. There are two main types of motors – two-stroke and four-stroke. The former have higher fuel consumption and higher noise levels. The latter, with the same power, have much lower fuel consumption and lower noise levels. The average class power is about five horsepower. All engines have a separate fuel tank. Try to secure it so that no fuel spills when tipping over.
Getting ready to sail
You have everything you need with you, you are on the shore, and you put all your things in waterproof bags that can serve as a seat during the trip. Choose a safe launching site, tie the anchor to the handrail, and secure it like a mooring line. Carefully distribute the load over the entire area of the bottom and tie it so that nothing will fly out during a large wave and cause harm. Spread closer to the stern. Put on your lifejackets; make sure everything is secured. All manufacturers provide for a safety stop of the engine, in the form of a cable when pulled out of which the engine is immediately shut off. This is done to ensure that a person who falls into the water does not receive serious or fatal injuries. The boat operator usually attaches the cable to his vest. Pull off with the engine up while steering the oars.
Starting the engine and starting the journey
If you are using a GPS navigator, adjust the dispatch location and turn on the echo sounder, do not forget, it has a certain delay tolerance, so you should wait for a little before starting the engine. After reaching the depth, start the engine and, before starting to sail, check that the visibility and landing of all passengers is correct along the railing.
At first, do not rush to take a sharp acceleration; check how the boat reacts, adjust the boat’s smoothness, and keep moving. Try to keep the engine speed in economy mode, and you will always need fuel.
Gliding
The most common way to move with a raised bow of the boat is planing, and the bottom is constantly “bounced” from the water. If you have a 3.5-meter model, the bottom structure is flat or with a small keel, and the center of gravity is correctly hung, as your operating speed develops, the boat will take the desired position relative to the water. You should always remember that a boat is not a car, and if you develop a speed of about 20 km / h, you will not be able to stop suddenly. There are two main factors to remember when stopping:
- A quick start against a wave or strong wind can overturn the boat;
- As a result of an abrupt discharge, the oncoming wave can cover the vessel.
Moving in planning mode, you must not allow the boat to jump from the crest of the wave when the transom breaks off the surface of the water. Select the optimal speed. If you are a beginner, try to swim towards the coast as quickly as possible as the weather worsens. Do not put your life and the lives of your passengers in danger again! If you find yourself in the dark, be sure to turn on the signal lights.
Wind and storm control
Always watch the wind behavior! Wind affects travel speed and can be strongly opposed, and crosswind is a direct rollover hazard. The forced movement against the wind increases the drifting of the boat; that is, the speed drops sharply. With a large wave, you cannot move upwind and downwind. Try to move at an oblique angle in a kind of zigzag to avoid overturning and increase movement speed. Maintain trim – the difference in the draft of the boat between bow and stern to avoid flooding and avoid danger when turning against a wave. Ensure that passengers are seated on the handrails and sit evenly from the center to the stern. It can be added that the wind affects rowing boats in the same way, so the behavior should be the same.
The maneuverability of motor and rowing boats during the current
Separately, it is necessary to consider the behavior of rowing boats when moving towards the coast, with a strong current. This is done at an angle, to the side above the pier against the current, so the boat is moving towards its destination. When the wind is strong with the current, let the boat go with the current and keep heading towards the shore.
Then along the coast, you can always return. You do not need to lower the oars deeper; instead of the desired smooth and fast ride, you will get jerks and stops, and you will quickly lose strength. Important! Distribute your forces and try to get a smooth ride. Lower the oars to the minimum depth allowed. Use gloves to avoid unnecessary blisters.
Conclusion
High-speed boats moving towards the berth pass downstream, make a U-turn and return to the berth’s port side. The most important thing to remember: in any deterioration of weather conditions, try to stay close to the coast!
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Meet Tyr Alan, your trusted guide on the high seas and calm lakes alike. A seasoned mariner with over two decades of hands-on experience, Tyr’s passion for boating is as vast as the open water. From navigating the rugged coasts to gently cruising down tranquil inland waterways, Tyr’s voyages have taken him across the globe, gifting him with an encyclopedic knowledge of boating that he’s eager to share with you.
