Carver 45 COCKPIT MOTOR, Owner'S Manual

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4537 • C3 7/06 85
OPERATING AND MANEUVERING SECTION 6
After getting onboard, start the engines and send someone forward to slacken
the line. Release the line. In a river with current, the boat will gain headway
with the current. After you are clear of the buoy, power the boat forward. In a
calm bay, if there is neither wind nor current, back the boat away a few boat
lengths. As you power forward, keep the buoy in sight and give it ample room
until you are clear. Run slowly until you clear the anchorage to avoid creating a
nuisance with your wake.
Landing at a Pier
To land at a pier, approach the pier at a right angle. If you desire a starboard side
landing, place the rudders to port and reverse the port engine to check headway.
Leave the starboard engine in forward gear to swing the boat parallel to the
pier. For landings on the port side, turn the rudders to starboard and put the
starboard engine into reverse as the boat comes in. You may have to shift into
and out of gear to control the boat’s speed.
Picking Up a Mooring
As you return to the anchorage, approach your mooring at slow speed. Take
note of how other boats are lying at their buoys. They are heading into the
wind or current and your approach course should be roughly parallel to their
heading. Stay clear of other moorings to avoid fouling them. If you tow your
dinghy, station a crew member at the helm to keep the dinghy line from fouling
the propeller.
Shift the engines into neutral when you estimate that the boat’s forward
momentum will carry you to the buoy. Station someone at the bow with a boat
hook to pick up the pennant float. If you are about to overshoot your mark,
check headway as the bow comes up to the buoy. If you fall short, a few turns
of the propeller should get you to the buoy. Keep the engine running until the
pennant eye has been secured on the bitt or bow cleat.
If your crewman can not reach the pennant or if you overshoot, get clear and
calmly try again.
Forward
Forwar
d
Neutral
Forwar
d
Reversed to Check Headway