Driving a boat: The basics

Hook, Line and Sinker's Andrew Hart and Nick Duigan say there are a few things that first-timers will need to get their head around before setting off on their maiden trip.

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The first and most important point to note is that the thrust and steering is all down the back of the boat. That means just like a forklift, the rear of the boat will move the most through turns.

This back-to-front steering isn't really noticeable out on the open water at higher speeds, but it is something that needs to be considered in tight spaces, such as docking at a marina where the back of the boat will move in the opposite direction to where you want the front to go.

To counteract this, don't be afraid to use reverse gear so that you can steer the boat more intuitively. Reverse gear can sometimes be the better option in tight, tricky places.

The most challenging part of driving a boat is trimming the engine at speed so that it provides the highest speed at the most efficient engine revs.

Trimming an engine is altering the angle that its drive leg meets the water. Have it too far in behind the boat and the nose pushes down into the water, and have it too far out and you risk the engine's prop coming out of the water.

Trim is adjusted using a small toggle switch on the side of the throttle lever.

The simple rule for trim is to trim in (have the bottom of the drive leg closer to the boat) when heading into waves to keep the bow down and use the sharp part of the hull to cut through the water, but trim up when going in the same direction as waves to keep the bow up out of the water and surf.

Trimming up in calm water lightens the steering, not to mention saving on fuel use.

Another sometimes overlooked way to improve a boat's handling is to look at weight distribution.

If the weight is lopsided – say too many people on one side – it can easily upset how the boat handles, and its fuel economy. Leaning a boat over will immediately cancel out all its clever hull design that's meant to provide the best lift and the cleanest running surfaces.

Note that some boats tend to lean into a strong wind, so moving gear and bodies may be the best way to restore balance.

Make sure, too, that you know the road rules of the water. You have an obligation to yourself, and other water users, to know what they are.