Evinrude 4906B 4HP 1969, Owner'S Manual

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gauges or indicating devices must be weigh-
ed and tagged every 6 months. If the gross
weight of a carbon dioxide (CO?) fire extin-
guisher is reduced by more than 10% of the
net weight, the extinguisher is not accept-
able and must be recharged.
READ labels on fire extinguishers. If the
extinguisher is U.L. listed, it is approved for
marine use.
DOUBLE the number of fire extinguish-
ers recommended by the Coast Guard, be-
cause their requirements are a bare MINI-
MUM for safe operation. Your boat, family,
and crew, must certainly be worth much
more than "bare minimum".
1-10 COMPASS
Selection
The safety of the boat and her crew may
depend on her compass. In many areas
wea ther conditions can change so rapidly
that within minutes a skipper may find him-
self "socked-in" by a fog bank, a rain squall,
or just poor visibility. Under these condi-
tions, he may have no other means of keep-
ing to his desired course except with the
compass. When crossing an open body of
water, his compass may be the only means
of making an accurate landfall.
During thick weather when you can nei-
ther see nor hear the expected aids to
navigation, attempting to run out the time
on a given course can disrupt the pleasure of
the cruise. The skipper gains little comfort
in a chain of soundings that does not match
those given on the chart for the expected
area. Any stranding, even for a short time,
can be an unnerving experience.
A pilot will not knowingly accept a
cheap parachute. A good boater should not
accept a bargain in lifejackets, fire ex-
tinguishers, or compass. Take the time and
spend the few extra dollars to purchase a
compass to fit your expected needs. Re-
gardless of what the salesman may tell you,
postpone buying until you have had the
chance to check more than one make and
model.
Lift each compass, til t and turn it, sim-
ulating expected motions of the boat. The
compass card should have a smooth and
stable reaction.
The card of a good quality compass will
come to rest without oscillations about the
lubber's line. Reasonable movement in your
hand, comparable to the rolling and pitching
MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT 1-15
The compass is a delicate instrument and deserves
respect. It should be mounted securely and in position
where
it
can be easily observed by the helmsman.
of the boat, should not materially affect the
reading.
Installation
Proper installation of the compass does
not happen by accident. Make a critical
check of the proposed location to be sure
compass placement will permit the helms-
man to use it with comfort and accuracy.
First, the compass should be placed directly
in front of the helmsman and in such a
position that it can be viewed without body
stress as he sits or stands in a posture of
relaxed alertness. The compass should be in
the helmsman's zone of comfort. If the
compass is too far away, he may have to
bend forward to watch it; too close and he
must rear backward for relief.
Do
not hesitate
to
spend
a
few extra dollars for
a
good reliable compass.
If
in doubt, seek advice from
fellOW boaters.