Regal 38 SAV 2019, Owner'S Manual

Page: 167 / 297

167
Gathering Headway
When an outboard drive is not moving forward or
reverse in the water and the propeller is not turning,
(shift in neutral) the boat will not react to the helm
steering wheel.
As soon as the vessel is shifted into forward
gear propeller action creates a discharge motion
and generates energy in the form of thrust. If the
outboard drive is centered, the discharge motion is
directed straight back causing the vessel to advance
forward.
You may notice that if you advance the throttle
quickly in initial take-off (make sure you have a firm
grip on the wheel), the boat has a tendency to pull
the stern of the vessel to starboard. There is a trim
tab (also serves as a sacrificial anode) located on
the outboard drive housing. This trim tab helps
compensate for the low speed steering torque.
Once the boat increases headway and the propeller
is operating in a faster water flow this torque effect
decreases.
Sometimes the trim tab may need adjustment.
Contact your Regal dealer for further information or
consult your engine manufacturer’s manual.
Turning
Once the boat has gathered headway, with the boat
planing at the correct bow angle and the outboard
drive unit and helm straight the boat tends to stay
on a uniform course heading. To assure the boat
trim angle is correct use the chart plotter screen trim
gauge as a guide while activating the trim button on
the remote control panel.
When the helm wheel is turned to the right or
starboard, the drive unit is turned in the same
direction. The propeller’s discharge force is directed
to starboard forcing the boats stern to port. Water
flowing past the hull strikes the stern drive gear
housing in its starboard side, creating additional
turning torque. The stern starts a move to port,
forcing the bow to starboard.
If the helm is turned to the left or port the drive turns
to port, the stern of the boat goes starboard as the
bow turns to port.
As the vessel operator gains experience, he will
better gauge each maneuver and speed situation.
In this way he will understand the handling
characteristics of his boat. He needs to keep the
safety of his passengers in the highest priority.
Backing Down
If your boat has the steering wheel and outboard
drive straight with the control in reverse, the
stern will be pushed a bit to port by the reversing
propeller thrust. This tendency to back to port
can be eliminated by turning the outboard drive to
starboard.