--When starting, turn the key for no longer than 3 seconds per attempt to start the engine.  Extended revolutions fries the starter, the battery, and solenoid.  Never crank the starter for more than 3 seconds at a time.  Use repeated short cranks as opposed to extended cranks.  Take a deep breath, become one with the boat, and then attempt to start.

 
--When motoring, accelerate SLOWLY and decelerate SLOWLY!  Never use reverse as a way to stop quickly!  This destroys the transmission in the engine and basically takes hundreds of hours of operating life of the engine.  You should never be in a position, when underway, that requires you to stop that quickly.  Generally, being up wind of sailboats on a buoy course minimizes the risk of whaler to sailor collisions.  THIS IS CRITICAL!!!

--Always check for enough fuel in the tanks prior to getting under way in the whaler.  Ask the rec sup to fill the tank if it is low.

--Make the boats tidy before getting underway.  This means taking the time to check all lines and doing the necessary work to ensure that the anchor and tow lines are ready to be used easily.  You should not have to untie knots or secure the ends of the tow/anchor lines at the times they are needed most.  Do it ahead of time.  Also, remove and properly store buoys before getting underway unless you will be setting them.  Recently, an anchor to a buoy bounced off the deck nearly hitting the driver in the head at high speed.  Very BAD!

--Keep a constant lookout when underway.  Constant lookout means knowing where you are relative to all others in your area.  Look around 360 degrees regularly.  You should never be surprised by a boat quickly converging on you, EVER!

--Operate at a safe speed.  Safe speed is judged by the comfort of your passengers. We do not want to see any back injuries due to bouncing as the result of fast speeds in waves!

ANCHORING emailed to staff on 6/20/00:

--Prior to getting underway, run you hands along the entire length of the anchor line to remove all knots and kinks.  Recoil the line and place the anchor on top of the line ready to be let loose.  Make sure that the end is secure to the bow of the boat.  Remove any hitches secured by previous anchor use.  You want the entire length available.

--When you are ready to set the anchor, slowly motor directly in to the wind and put the engine in neutral.  KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING.  If you are near the rocks, make sure you are far enough upwind so that when you drop the anchor and pay out the line, you have enough room to drift and try again if the anchor does not hold.

--OK, you're ready to drop.  Do just that, DROP the anchor, never throw it!  Once in neutral, the boat will drift downwind.  The bow will move first.  Get your body to the upwind side of the bow, pick up the anchor, and drop it over the windward side so that the flukes will dig in when the anchor hits the bottom.  Hold the line and pay it as the boat drifts downwind.  If you throw the anchor, you run the risk of fouling it with the line and/or having it set on its side or upside down.

--The length of line you pay out should be at least 7 times the depth to ensure maximum holding power.  The longer the line, the more secure the set.  This is especially true in waves, and by the rocks!  Once you have the desired length payed out, you may motor back slowly to set the anchor deeply.  Usually the wind and weight of the boat is sufficient.  Range off of a point on land to the left or right ensure that the anchor is set.  Secure the line to the cleat at the bow.  You now have the line secure in two places.

--KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING.  Only shut it down if you are not going to move for a while and are far enough upwind to deal with drift if the anchor pulls for whatever reason.

--When you are ready to pull the anchor, start the engine and keep it in neutral.  Go to the bow and pull the line.  Coil the line neatly in the well as you bring it on board.  When you get the anchor, wash it free of mud and place it on top of the line in the well, ready to be used again.  Un cleat the line.  If you are unable to do these things for whatever reason, tidy it all up at the dock before you go away.

More Coming.