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342 Performance
®
2.5
Section 2 • general Boat arrangement
7. DescripTion of Major conTrols
a. Gear shifT anD ThroTTle conTrol
The shift/throttle control unit for the engine is activated
by individual handles. (See Figure 2.5.1) The shift
handle must be in neutral position to start your engine.
Moving the shift handle forward engages the forward
gear. Then move the throttle arm or handle forward to
increase engine speed and propeller RPM, moving the
boat faster. To shift to reverse, bring the shift handle
lever back to the neutral position after bringing back the
throttle handle rst, then move it further back to engage
the reverse gear. Move the throttle handle to increase
engine speed and propeller RPM, moving the boat faster
in reverse.
The throttle control adjusts the RPM of the engine and
thus, the rotational speed of the propeller. Regulating the
RPM of the engine controls the speed of the boat.
Forward motion creates forward moving water called a
"following" wake. If the boat is moving forward and the
shift/throttle is moved quickly from forward to reverse,
the boat will stop rapidly and then move backward. The
following wake continues to move forward and can rise
above the transom and ood the boat.
b. poWer TriM uniT anD GauGe
The Power Trim allows the operator to raise and lower
the stern drive unit while underway to provide the ideal
boat angle (in relation to water surface) for a given load
and water condition. (See Figure 2.5.2)
Trimming UP rotates the stern drive and propeller away
from the transom. Trimming DOWN rotates the stern
drive and propeller closer to the transom.
When the stern drive is trimmed DOWN, the bow of your
boat is being forced down. If the trim is in the full DOWN
position when accelerating from idle to plane, the boat
will plane faster with less bow rise. Once on plane, the
stern drive unit can be trimmed UP slightly. This will
raise the bow of the boat slightly and increase speed.
You will need to try small differences in the stern drive
position to determine the trim position you prefer under
various conditions.
If you raise the stern drive up too far while on plane, you
could cause a loss of speed and power due to a condition
called propeller "ventilation." If this happens, there will
be a sudden increase in engine RPM and loss of speed.
Do not let this condition exist. Immediately reduce your
engine RPM and trim the outdrive DOWN slightly until
engine slows down and you regain forward speed.
The trim gauge indicates the position of the stern drive
relative to the transom.
REFER TO YOUR ENGINE OPERATOR'S MANUAL
FOR PROPER TRIM GAUGE SETTING.
Do not shift to reverse too soon. Wait for the following
wake to dissipate.
effectS of Power trim
(fig. 2.5.2)
DOWN UP
DOWN UP
DOWN UP
Cockpit can ll with water if boat is moving forward
fast enough to create a wake, and then quickly put
into reverse.
Before shifting into reverse, shift to neutral, wait for
the boat to stop rapidly moving forward, then shift
into reverse.
! CAUTION
Throttle levers
in full throttle
position
Shift levers in
forward positon
Shift levers
in reverse
position
Throttle
levers in idle
position
GEAR SHIFT AND THROTTLE CONTROL
(FIG. 2.5.1)