SECTION 4
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BOAT CHARACTERISTICS AND OPERATION
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR BOAT
Read the owners manual for all of your installed components
completely Locate your circuit breakers, switches and
the location of in-line fuses for the bilge pumps and other
accessories. Use the various component owner’s manuals
provided with your boat to learn where your check points
are located, and what acceptable levels and conditions
are at each point Get to know where your shut-offs are for
power, seawater, and fuel
Once you are familiar with the components of your boat, it’s
time to head to the water. Take it easy for the first little while
until you know how your boat responds to the throttle, turning
and encountering waves. The transition zone between
plaining and displacement speeds can be abrupt at times
Also, a boat’s sensitivity to steering, wave impact and even
wind at high speed can be unpredictable, because there
is very little of the boat in contact with the water’s surface
to provide stability and control. Practice docking your boat
carefully a few times to get the feel of your boat
Fuel and Oil
Consult your engine manufacturer’s owner’s manual for the
proper type of fuel to use and any appropriate additives.
Understand the difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke
and know what engines your boat is equipped with Your
4-stroke engine may either have a wet-sump oil system
which means that it has an oil filled crank case, or a dry-
sump oil system which means it has an oil tank If equipped,
your 2-stroke will have an oil tank on board under the deck
with a deck fill, or directly on the engine itself. Never ignore
low oil warnings and always ensure you have sufficient
oil on board In either case always check your oil before
starting the motor Consult your engine owner’s manual for
the location of your dipstick, the procedure for checking the
oil level, and the correct type of oil to use.
Avoid filling your boat’s fuel tank to its full capacity and never
park your boat with a completely full fuel tank Fuel expands
when the surrounding air temperature increases This can
cause your fuel system to overflow. Spilled fuel creates a fire
and explosion hazard, can cause severe irritation to skin and
can damage the paint on your boat Paint damage due to
spilled fuel is not covered by your warranty.
Engine Trim
You can change the angle of the propeller shaft by adjusting
the trim switch Start from idle with the outboard tucked in/
down all the way While accelerating and planing, start to
trim the outboard out/up By trimming the outboard out/up,
you will raise the bow of the boat By doing this, it reduces
drag and bow steering and increases speed and fuel
economy Find where your boat has optimal performance
Over trimming will reduce performance and could potentially
damage your engine by cavitation.
Steering and Controls
Your boat is equipped with hydraulic or powered hydraulic
steering. The fluid level must be checked frequently to
ensure that the hydraulic system is intact and that there
is sufficient fluid in the lines for your steering system
to function correctly. It is very important to use the
manufacturer’s recommended steering oil type The oil
type can be found in the applicable steering manufactures
owner’s manual The steering should only be adjusted by
a qualified technician.
Consult your engine and control owner’s manuals for
instructions on operating your boats throttle and shift
controls Marine engines can only be started with the
controls in the “Neutral” position. Always shift your controls
to “Neutral” before starting the motor. If you are able to start
your engine with the shifter in gear have your Kingfisher
dealer service the boat immediately to correct the problem.
Your vessel will also be equipped with a safety lanyard. The
lanyard consists of a clip attached to your boat’s engine
controls and a snap-hook that attaches to the operator’s
clothing If the operator is ejected from the boat or collapses,
the lanyard pulls the clip from the controls and shuts off the
engine Before starting the engine ensure that this lanyard
is in place and the clip fits snugly into its receptacle. For
other engine starting instructions consult your owner’s
manuals
Instruments and Gauges
Your boat will likely be equipped with an engine
manufactures multi-function display These gauges are
capable of providing the operator with a comprehensive list
of engine data and operating information such as: voltage,
trim status, boat speed, steering angle, fuel level, oil, water,
engine RPM and engine diagnostic alerts Always be aware
of your gauge reading Low RPM’s can mean a fouled prop
For full break down of capabilities related to your gauge,
see the manufacturer’s owner’s manual Stay current with
corresponding software updates for your display Contact
your Kingfisher Dealer for more information.
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3425 OWNERS MANUAL KINGFISHER BOATS
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