Mercury Racing 1100 STERNDRIVE, Operation, Maintenance & Warranty

Page: 24 / 76

2 - G
ENERAL
I
NFORMATION
90-8M0098854 MARCH 2015 17
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
There is another less common hazardous result from allowing your
boat to launch off a wave or wake. If the bow of your boat pitches
down far enough while airborne, upon water contact it may
penetrate under the water surface and submarine for an instant.
This will bring the boat to a nearly instantaneous stop and can send
the occupants flying forward. The boat may also steer sharply to one
side.
I
MPACT
W
ITH
U
NDERWATER
H
AZARDS
IMPORTANT: Operating in shallow waters can severely damage the
boat or power package. Maintain a minimum safe speed when
operating the vessel in shallow waters or in areas with underwater
obstacles.
Reduce speed and proceed with caution whenever you drive a boat
in shallow water areas, or in areas where you suspect underwater
obstacles may exist which could be struck by the sterndrive or the
boat bottom. The most important thing you can do to help reduce
injury or impact damage from striking a floating or underwater object
is to control the boat speed. Under these conditions, boat speed
should be kept to a minimum planing speed 24 to 40 km/h
(15 to 25 MPH).
45914
Striking a floating or underwater object could result in an infinite
number of situations. Some of these situations could result in the
following:
• Part of the sterndrive or the entire sterndrive could break
loose and cause serious injury or damage to the boat.
• The boat could move suddenly in a new direction. Such a
sharp change in direction can cause occupants to be thrown
out of their seats or out of the boat.
• A rapid reduction in speed. This will cause occupants to be
thrown forward, or even out of the boat.
• Impact damage to the sterndrive and/or boat.
Keep in mind, the most important thing you can do to help reduce
injury or impact damage during an impact is control the boat speed.
Boat speed should be kept to a minimum planing speed when
driving in waters known to have underwater obstacles.
!
WARNING
Operating a boat or engine with impact damage can result in
product damage, serious injury, or death. If the vessel
experiences any form of impact, have an authorized Mercury
Marine dealer inspect and repair the vessel or power package.
After striking a submerged object, stop the engine as soon as
possible and inspect it for any broken or loose parts. If damage is
present or suspected, the sterndrive should be taken to an
authorized dealer for a thorough inspection and necessary repair.
The boat should also be checked for any hull fractures, transom
fractures, or water leaks.
Operating a damaged sterndrive could cause additional damage to
other parts of the sterndrive, or could affect control of the boat. If
continued running is necessary, do so at greatly reduced speeds.