• Do not use the boat if it has an engine with a higher power rating than indicated on the capacity plate.

• Do not drive the boat at high speed if the engine’s rig angle is negative (bow down).

• Do not drive at full speed on congested waterways or if the visibility is limited because of weather conditions or waves.

• Reduce your speed and wake as a matter of courtesy, and also for the safety of yourself and others.

• Observe and obey speed limits and prohibitions associated with a swell.

• Follow the rules of navigation and the requirements of COLREG (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea).

• Always make sure that you have the space needed for avoiding collisions and coming to a halt and for evasive maneuvers.

• Always use a dead man’s switch if available.

• Reduce speed in high seas for increased comfort and safety.

• Learn your boat’s speed potential. Utilize this knowledge for economical and safe cruising.

• Avoid using high speed along with large rudder movements when going astern, because that places great strain on the rudder and steering mechanism. 

• Avoid sudden steering maneuvers at high speeds.

• Avoid staying in the bow area when driving at high speeds.

You should avoid sudden changes in direction of travel at high speed. Let the boat come to a stop, and the engine rev down before shifting between forward and reverse. Otherwise excessive strain is put on the engine, which could cause the engine to stop. In the worst case, sea water may enter the engine.

A right-handed propeller rotates clockwise and a left-handed propeller anti-clockwise, seen from the stern. The rotation of the propeller is critical for steering the boat. The right-handed propeller pushes the stern of the boat to starboard when the engine is engaged ahead and to port when it is going astern. The direction of rotation of the propeller has a major impact on the turning radius. A right-handed propeller gives a smaller turning radius to port than to starboard. This is called the propeller’s paddlewheel effect.

The boat's propellers have considerable propulsion power that provides powerful acceleration. Take this into consideration to avoid dangerous situations arising from this.