Purpose-Value:
- Practice and develop the boathandling skill of making a high-speed stop in the shortest possible distance without taking wake over the transom. A skill used if the boat has to be stopped quickly in an emergency (e.g., to avoid an unexpected hazard or object).
Setting Up the Drill:
- Equipment: 1 buoy
- Trainer sets buoy in a safe area.
Conducting the Drill:
- Starting 100 yards away, operator maneuvers boat onto a plane and proceeds toward the buoy at high speed.
- When abeam the buoy, operator smartly reduces power to idle while quickly turning the wheel in the direction of the buoy.
- When 90 degrees to original course, operator shifts to neutral.
Teaching Tips:
- Highlight the importance of reducing power to idle while at the same time making the turn.
Common Errors:
- Decelerating excessively before turning the helm, which does not simulate an emergency.
References:
- Safe Powerboating Handling On-Water Skill Standard 6.3 and its rubrics
Start Powerboating Right! textbook pg. 53