Salt Water Operation
You can use your Volvo Penta sterndrive in either fresh
or salt water.
We recommend that you use fresh water to flush out
the engine and drive after you use your boat in polluted
or salt water. This will prolong the service life of the
engine and sterndrive. For additional information, see
the section entitled
After Engine Shutdown: Engine
Flush
.
High Performance Boat Operation
High performance is not only defined by engine size, but by a combination of engine power (horsepower), hull
design, and the size of the boat. Your new engine(s) produce a high power output. Depending on the boat type,
the top speed may be much higher than what you are accustomed to.
High speed operation requires an experienced operator who has mastered handling of high performance boats.
It is advisable that you learn the boat’s behavior before you take passengers on board. Inform your passengers
about your boat’s characteristics and the maneuvers you intend to do. Use the boat’s performance with due
consideration and care!
When operating at high speeds, remember that other boaters may not realize the speed at which you are trav-
elling, especially when you close in on another boat from astern or from ahead. Always keep a good distance to
allow for the unexpected! Always be prepared for what other boaters may do unexpectedly. High speed driving
requires the driver to give a high degree of attention to boat operation and surrounding conditions.
A boat travelling at a speed of approximately 70 M.P.H. (60 knots) covers about 101 feet (30 meters) in 1 second.
The faster you go the quicker things will happen. High speed driving requires a lot of water and a good distance
from possible hazards! Always allow for adequate reaction time. Always reduce speed when visibility is reduced
for whatever reason.
When driving, make sure that all passengers are safely seated. Emphasize this especially if you have a larger,
high performance cabin cruiser where one normally moves about during operation. Reduce speed considerably,
or stop completely if someone needs to move about the boat.
The driver should always use the emergency stop switch! The emergency stop switch lanyard which is securely
connected to the driver, immediately shuts off the engine(s) should the driver be thrown from the driving position.
Even if the risk of being thrown overboard is practically nonexistent in your type of boat, the risk of the driver
falling and being dazed in rough seas can be even greater.
Remember, even when the engine(s) is stopped in a high performance boat that is planing, it will travel approx-
imately 325 feet (100 meters) before dropping through the planing threshold and stopping!
Operation
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