How to Shift Your Boat

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Look your remote control over before starting the motor.

   Get familiar with the handle and its Locking Mechanism.
   
   Check out the Neutral Detent Button and trim buttons (if so equipped).
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   Step 2: Think before you shift.

   Safety is a major concern.
   
   Once you shift, the propeller will start to spin.
   
   A spinning propeller can injure or kill a person or pet. ,,,, Is all clear? ,, The handle has three shift positions or "DETENTS".
   
   FORWARD--NEUTRAL--REVERSE.
   
   Usually the handle is straight UP for NEUTRAL. , Note:
   Most remote controls are equipped with an In-Gear-Starter-Protection-Switch.
   
   This switch should prevent the motor from starting if the shifter is in gear.
   
   If the motor won't crank make sure your shifter handle is in neutral. , Under the handle your fingers should feel the Shift Locking Mechanism.
   
   This Locking Mechanism must be lifted with your fingers before attempting to shift.
   
   Note:
   If you shift past the forward detent the engine will accelerate and the boat will move forward faster.
   
   This is called "throttling" and it should never be done while tied up to a dock.
   
   Only throttle up if you are untied and ready to proceed forward. ,, Do not shift too slow or the gears will grind. ,,, Take a good look all around your vessel to make sure that it is safe to accelerate and throttle up. ,, Eventually, as the boat speeds up the bow will drop down and the boat will "plane-off" and ride fast on top of the water.
   
   To slow down, slowly pull back on the handle little by little until the boat drops off-plane and returns to in-gear idle.
   
   Do not shift into neutral until the boat has slowed way down to the idle speed.
   
   Remember to ONLY SHIFT at dead idle speed.
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   Step 3: Never start the motor when a swimmer is in the water near your boat.

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   Step 4: Let all your passengers know that you are about to shift into forward or reverse.

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   Step 5: Look around your boat before shifting.

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   Step 6: Plan ahead.

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   Step 7: When practicing shifting make sure your vessel is clear of all vessels and obstructions at sea or firmly tie your vessel to a strong dock with several adequate lines.

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   Step 8: Use the control handle to both SHIFT and ACCELERATE.

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   Step 9: Start your motor with the handle in the NEUTRAL (up) position.

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    Step 10: Place your hand on top of the handle.

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    Step 11: For practicing purposes only advance the handle to the initial DETENT position.

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    Step 12: To SHIFT INTO FORWARD

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    Step 13: lift the Locking Mechanism with your fingers and then you push the handle forward with a firm positive motion until you "feel" the FORWARD DETENT.

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    Step 14: Practice shifting into and out of forward gear making sure to lift the locking mechanism and to use a firm action.

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    Step 15: Practice shifting from neutral into reverse by pulling the handle back into the reverse detent position.

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    Step 16: If you are at sea and clear of all vessels

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    Step 17: shift into forward detent and let the boat "idle" forward for a little while.

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    Step 18: Slowly push the handle forward and accelerate the vessel while steering and using all precaution.

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    Step 19: As you accelerate and push the handle forward the bow bow of most boats will rise up and you will make a large wake.

Detailed Guide

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