![]() ![]() This is critically important to keeping your rider safe! Always have an orange flag on board, as this is a universal signal to boaters that someone is in the water around a boat. ![]() Know what to do if your rider falls into the water.This is important in the event someone falls overboard or your rider wipes out. Have at least one type IV personal flotation device within easy access somewhere on your boat.Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board the boat per passenger and rider, including yourself. When you are pulling a rider, you should know how to set the right speed and which driving patterns are best for the watersport. Know local rules and regulations and always follow posted signs on the water.Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times and be sure to stay at least 150 feet away from the shore and other structures.Here are some quick safety tips for boat drivers: ![]() This means you need equipment, gear and accessories to make sure you have everything covered. Not only are you responsible for keeping an eye on the water and knowing your surroundings, but you are also responsible for the boat (which means following proper boating etiquette), any passengers that may be on board and your rider. Safety Tips for Boat DriversĪs the boat's driver you have a lot of responsibility. Before we get into the specifics of how to make this happen, let’s start with some general safety tips that will apply no matter what kind of boat you are using to pull a rider. Basically, take some extra precautions so you can enjoy the experience without any harm coming to your rider. ![]() That said, it is still possible to tow a rider with an outboard or inboard/outboard boat, you just need to be extra careful and know the limits of your driver, rider and boat. An outboard boat exposes the rider to the propeller, which puts the rider at risk of harm. They’re also great for docking and tight spaces around marinas, although they are more expensive and require more maintenance than the more traditional shaftdrive and sterndrive layouts.It is true that you can tow a wakeboard behind a variety of different boats with the right equipment, but before you delve into safety tips there is one important thing every boat driver who plans to tow a rider should know: Inboard boats are the safest style of boat for pulling a rider. Much like a sterndrive, the exhaust and water inlet is incorporated with the drive and they are mounted in a manner that allows them to increase fuel efficiency, and reduce drag. Pod drives utilise an inboard engine, with a gearbox and drive unit connected directly to the engine, and mounted right beneath the boat in the water. Sterndrives are perfect for those wanting more horsepower and torque, as well as agility. And just like outboard engines, this drive unit is used to steer the boat. Inboard boat engines are often used for water sports because they create more predictable waves and excellent torque, and also for high use recreational and commercial boats.Ĭheck out the Yanmar range of diesel inboard marine engines for your next boat, with power ranging from 9hp for sailing boats, up to 440hp for powerboats and up to 1,882hp for commercial enginesĪ sterndrive engine (sometimes called an inboard-outboard) utilises an inboard engine, mounted on the inside of the hull, for power, which is attached to a drive unit that resembles the lower portion of an outboard engine. An inboard marine engine does not steer the boat, but instead it has a rudder or rudders behind the propeller and controlled by a steering wheel. These engines power a drive shaft that’s connected to a propeller. If you’re looking for an outboard marine engine, why not check out the fully electric Torqeedo Deep Blue 50R? It’s whisper-quiet and the perfect green alternative for commercial operators and green boaties – it even has an optional integrated onboard computer with a touchscreen display.Īn inboard engine is located – you guessed it – inside the boat’s hull. Outboard engines are most commonly used for fishing, water sports and pleasure boating. To steer a boat with an outboard engine, you actually move the entire engine. Then there’s the choice of petrol vs diesel engines, but that’s an argument for another time.Īn outboard engine is mounted on the transom of a boat and is used to both power and steer the boat. While some people just need their water vehicle to take them on occasional leisure jaunts, others need an engine suited for the thrills of water sports or more serious fishing trips. When it comes to powering boats, there are a few main types of marine engines: outboard, inboard, stern and jet drive engines, plus pod drives. ![]()
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