Scout Boats 300 LXF, Owner'S Manual

Page: 32 / 173

32
Operation
One line runs from the port aft boat cleat to the
starboard dock cleat and the other line runs from
the starboard aft boat cleat to the port cleat on
the dock. The stern lines center the boat, control
the forward motion, and allow the boat to ride the
tide. Two forward quarter spring lines typically
are secured to the stern cleats and to mid ship
pilings or cleats. The spring lines keep the boat
from backing into the dock while allowing it to
ride the tide.
Leaving the Dock
Always start the engines and let them warm up for
several minutes before releasing the lines. Boats
steer from the stern and it is important that you
achieve enough clearance at the stern to ma-
neuver the boat as quickly as possible. Push the
stern off and maneuver such that you get stern
clearance quickly. Proceed slowly until well clear
of the dock and other boats.
Mooring
Approach the mooring heading into the wind or
current. Shift to neutral when you have just
enough headway to reach the buoy. Position a
crew member on the bow to retrieve the mooring
with a boat hook and secure the line. Keep the
engines running until the line is secured.
Leaving a Mooring
Start the engines and let them warm up for sev-
eral minutes before releasing the mooring line.
The boat will already be headed into the wind,
so move it forward enough to loosen the line and
untie it. Back the boat away from the mooring
until you can see the buoy. Move the boat slowly
away from the mooring.
Anchoring
Make sure the
bitter end of the
anchor line is at-
tached to the boat
before dropping
the anchor. Bring
the bow into the wind or current and put the
engines in neutral. When the vessel comes to
a stop, lower the anchor over the bow. Pay out
anchor line so that it is at least 5 to 7 times the
depth of the water and secure the line to a cleat.
Use caution to avoid getting your feet or hands
tangled in the line. Additional scope of 10 times
the depth may be required for storm conditions.
Check landmarks on shore or your GPS position
to make sure the anchor is not dragging. If it
is dragging, you will have to start all over. It is
prudent to use two anchors if you are anchoring
overnight or in rough weather.
Releasing the Anchor
Release the anchor by driving the boat slowly to
the point where the anchor line becomes verti-
cal. It should release when you pass that point.
If the anchor doesn’t release right away, stop the
boat directly above the anchor and tie the line to
the cleat as tight as possible. The up and down
movement of the boat will usually loosen the an-
chor within a minute. Make sure you secure the
anchor and properly stow the line before operat-
ing the boat.
WARNING
NEVER ANCHOR THE BOAT BY THE STERN. THE STERN
OF THE BOAT IS VULNERABLE TO SWAMPING FROM WAVE
ACTION AND WIND AND CURRENT WILL PUT MORE STRESS
ON THE ANCHOR WHEN IT IS ATTACHED TO THE STERN. ONLY
ANCHOR THE BOAT BY THE BOW
2.6 Controls, Steering, or
Propulsion System Failure
If the propulsion, control or steering system fails
while you are operating the boat, bring the throt-
tles to idle and shift to neutral. Decide whether
you need to put out the anchor to prevent the boat
from drifting or to hold the bow into the seas. In-
vestigate and correct the problem if you can. Turn
the engine off before opening the engine cowling
to make repairs. If you are unable to correct the
problem, call for help.
If only one engine has failed, you can usually run
home on the other engine. Be careful not to ap-
ply too much power to the engine that is running.
When only one engine is used to power a twin
engine boat, that engine is over propped and can
be overloaded if too much throttle is applied. You
should contact your dealer or the engine manu-
facturer for the maximum power settings when
running without one engine.
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