Basic Maneuvering
Steering response is dependent upon three (3) factors:
rudder position, motion and throttle. While high speed
maneuvering is relatively easy and takes little practice,
slow speed maneuvering is far more difficult and requires
time and practice to master.
With both steering and propulsion at the rear of the boat, the
initiation of a turn pushes the stern of the boat away from
the direction of the turn. The stern follows a larger turning
circle than the bow. This is especially important to remember
when making maneuvers within close quarters.
While the effects of unequal propeller thrust (torque
steering), wind, and current may not always be present,
a practiced driver will use them to his advantage.
Unequal thrust is a phenomenon shared by all single-
engine, propeller-driven boats. With the rudder in the
straight-ahead position, a counterclockwise rotation pro
-
peller tends to cause the boat to drive to port when going
forward, and to starboard when going backward.
At high speed, there is compensation for this effect, and
it is virtually non-existent. But, at slow speed—and espe
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cially during backing—the effect can be very pronounced.
This is the main reason that most experienced drivers
approach with the dock to the starboard of the boat.
Stopping—or checking headway—is a technique that
must be mastered. With no brakes, reverse must be used
to stop the boat. The momentum of the boat will vary ac
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cording to the load. Make it a practice to slow to no-wake
speed before shifting into reverse.
When practicing maneuvering techniques, always do so
in open water that is free of traffic. Adequate practice
may make the difference between a pleasurable boating
experience or a potentially damaging (at the very least,
embarrassing) one.
High Speed Operation
MasterCraft boats are designed to be a high-performance
boat. Professional drivers with advanced operating skills
perform high-speed maneuvers and turns on-a-dime. DO
NOT attempt to duplicate or simulate these feats. Paid,
professional drivers log thousands of hours on the water
and carefully choreograph every move. Plans are made
in advance in the event the routine must be aborted.
Maneuvers of this nature could cause serious injury or
death, as well as damage to your MasterCraft boat that
will not be covered under warranty.
Boat operators should never attempt to duplicate
operational skills of professional drivers. When
such maneuvers fail, it can result in serious injury
or death.
For the best engine performance and longevity, the wide-
open-throttle (WOT) engine operation must be near the
top of, but within, the specified WOT operating range. To
adjust the WOT operating range, select a propeller with
the proper diameter and pitch. The propeller supplied on
the boat was chosen for best all-around performance un
-
der average operating conditions.
Load, weather, altitude and boat condition all affect WOT
engine operation. If the boat is used for several differ
-
ent applications such as wakeboarding, barefooting and
cruising, it may be necessary to have two (2) or more
propellers of differing size and pitch to allow the engine to
operate in the WOT range for each application.
Propping the boat should be done after the boat is loaded
in the manner in which it would normally be loaded for
each application. For example, in propping the boat for
wakeboarding, fill the ballast tanks and add the people
and gear that normally would be expected in the boat.
Take the boat out and after warm-up, run it at wide-open-
throttle and note the maximum RPM. EFI engines are
equipped with RPM limiters to prevent over-revving. Take
note if the RPM limiter is activated.
If the WOT RPM is higher than the maximum RPM in
your engine’s WOT operating range, the boat is under-
propped. Installing a higher-pitched propeller will reduce
2008 MasterCraft Owners Manual Page 10-2
