Home Minimum Control Speed
Purpose-Value:
- Practice and develop the boat handling skill of operating a boat with control at the slowest possible speed (slower than at idle speed) when docking, approaching a ramp or mooring, or maneuvering in a marina
Setting Up the Drill:
- Equipment: 2 buoys
- Trainer sets 2 buoys in the water about 30 seconds to one minute apart at idle speed.
- If possible, align the buoys with a distant object or a 3rd buoy that can be used as a range for the operators to stay on course between the 2 buoys.
- For beginning operators, align the buoys with the wind or current (whichever is stronger).
- For sufficiently advanced operators, align the buoys crosswind or crosscurrent (whichever is stronger)
Conducting the Drill:
- Operator traverses between the 2 buoys at idle speed and notes the time that it takes.
- Operator then traverses between the 2 buoys in the same direction, controlling the boat’s speed by using intermittent power so that it takes twice the time.
- Operator should remain on course between the 2 buoys.
Teaching Tips:
- Review how the range (a distant object or a 3rd buoy) can be used to stay on course.
- Operators start from a dead stop at the 1st
Common Errors:
- Not staying on course between the 2 buoys.
- Not shifting smoothly or frequently enough.
- Starting at too fast a speed.
References:
- Safe Powerboating Handling On-Water Skill Standard 3.1 and its rubrics
- Start Powerboating Right! textbook pg. 45