Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 5: Staying Safe Afloat
As I’ve mentioned earlier, fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate, and the safest course is to
top off the fuel tank every morning before you head out.
If you know how far you intend to travel and about how many gallons per hour your boat
burns, or what the miles-per-gallon figures are, you’ll have a pretty good idea of whether
or not your gas gauge is telling you tales. In general, fuel economy is likely to be best at
near-idle speeds, as in slow-trolling at 1,000 rpms, with a second peak almost as good
somewhere between 3,000 and 4,500 rpms for outboards, 3,000 and 4,000 for inboards.
But one thing that some beginning boaters overlook is that proceeding at off-plane speeds
can make your fuel gauge drop like the stock market in October. Some boats, when operated
in a stern-down, bow-high position between 2,000 and 3,000 rpms, actually burn more
fuel than at wide-open throttle, even though their speed may be only one-third as fast. As a
result, if you plow along at this speed assuming you’re saving fuel for the ride home, you
may make a sad discovery while you’re still many miles from the dock.
A fuel-flow meter is consequently a useful tool aboard—most offer both gallons-per-hour
and miles-per-gallon readouts so that you can remain in the most efficient operating range.
Some boats come with an auxiliary fuel tank installed—when the main tank runs dry, you
flip a lever and tap into several added gallons to get you home safe. If your boat doesn’t
have one of these tanks, consider carrying a spare portable fuel tank. The three-gallon size
takes up little space and can save lots of headaches.
Getting Smart in a Hurry
Boating common sense is developed with years of experience, also known as trial-and-error.
But one way for beginners to avoid a lot of mistakes is to take a boating course from the
Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, or a commercial provider like Sea School.
At this writing, only 19 states license boat operators and check their knowledge with some
sort of test, but it’s a great idea to let those with the know-how share it with you.
For boating classes near you, call 1-800-336-BOAT.
The Least You Need to Know
◆ Make sure someone somewhere knows where you are and when you expect to return
any time you’re on your boat.
◆ Make your boat as storm-proof as possible, but never stay with it in a severe storm.
◆ High-speed driving has its place, but crowded waterways and harbors are not among
them.
◆ For your safety and the safety of your crew and other boaters around you, never
operate a boat while drinking alcohol or taking drugs.