GETTING UNDERWAY. Check that all crew members are safely on board. Always ensure the engine lever control is in neutral gear before starting the engine. Check the waters ahead are clear of other craft. If your cruiser has two driving positions then always engage the upper controls before departure. The upper driving position will provide better visibility. Double check the controls are correctly engaged before letting off the ropes. If you are towing a dinghy, check to ensure it is securely fastened and emptied of any surplus water.
To start the boat moving, push the gear lever forward gently, further movement will increase the speed of the craft, keep a watch in front and behind you as a boat is not operated like a car, the bow (front) swings one way and the stern (back) swings another so it is important to push the craft out towards the river away from the jetty, harbour, quay or other moored boats.
Please note: There is no steering in reverse! When reversing near a bank, quayside or other boats move the dinghy alongside the boat to avoid crushing it. After making sure weather conditions are favorable for cruising, you can cast off, check to ensure all crew and mooring ropes are safe on board, proceed to open water SLOWLY and CAREFULLY.
STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN. A boat has no brakes so, to slow down or stop, you simply reverse the motor. If you wish to stop quickly, pull the gear lever towards reverse. This is the key function to reverse gear on a boat. To slow or stop gradually, move the gear lever to the neutral position.
APPROACHING MOORINGS. It is best to approach all moorings against the stream, this way you have more control as the flow will slow the cruiser down. If your cruiser has two driving positions then stop the boat in open water away from any obstacles and engage the upper controls before your approach. The upper driving position will provide better visibility. Approach the jetty very slowly.
One member of the crew should be standing ready at the front of the cruiser with the bow (front) mooring rope ready to step ashore when the boat stops at the jetty. About 20 metres from the jetty, put the gear into reverse and bring the boat to a stop. Then steer the boat to the side of the jetty by going very slowly in forward gear. To stop the boat, use a lot of reverse power. Do not bother to turn the steering wheel when going in reverse as the steering is only effective when the boat is moving forwards.
REMEMBER
It will take twice as much power to get the same speed backwards as it does forwards. The bow rope should now be tied loosely to the jetty and the stern (back) of the cruiser pulled into the jetty (using the boat hook if necessary) and secured as tight as possible with the stern rope. Finally, readjust the bow rope fairly tightly. Now you can switch off your engine
REMEMBER
Please leave room for other cruisers when mooring and tie your dinghy alongside your cruiser so that it does not take up valuable jetty space. If you are moored at a fully occupied jetty and another cruiser comes along in search of space, it is customary and good manners to help the newcomer to find a space (if necessary, mooring alongside your boat). Everybody on the waterway has the same rights and duties.
REMEMBER
Always approach a mooring place slowly and carefully and if you have made an incorrect approach the first time, then go back on the river and try again.
REMEMBER
Great care must be taken to avoid personal injury when tying and untying a cruiser. Never have a mooring rope trailing in the water as this can lead to fouling of the propeller. Always ensure mooring ropes are passed ashore travelling underneath safety railings.
IMPORTANT
Never untie your cruiser before the engine is running and never switch the engine off before the cruiser is securely tied to the jetty. Always make sure the dinghy does not get in between your cruiser and the jetty.
THE BOW THRUSTER
Larger boats are fitted with bow thrusters which allow you to move the front of the boat sideways at slower speeds. Very large boats also have stern thrusters allowing you to move the stern sideways as well.
CRUISING SPEED
Half throttle is the most comfortable and economical cruising speed. Reduce speed when passing moored boats and marinas, slow down when passing swimmers, anglers and small boats. The waterways are enjoyed by a wide variety of users in craft powered by oar, sail or engine and inhabited by wildlife nesting, wading or swimming. Reduce your speed to a minimum to prevent bank erosion. Waterways Ireland have introduced speed limit signs in some areas to inform potential danger to other users from the wake produced by speed. Obey these signs and give a wide berth to other water users even in the open water.
THE PROPELLER
The propeller is under the boat and to be avoided at all times. If you feel vibration in the boat, it is possible that the propeller has been damaged. Contact us for assistance.
ANCHORING
If you wish to anchor the boat, manually lower the chain underneath the boat rails. Let out plenty of chain as it’s the weight of the chain on the bottom that will stop the boat from moving. Once the chain is secure and the boat settles into position, check occasionally to ensure the anchor does not drag. To recover your anchor, all you need to do is move the boat ahead slowly towards it while a crew member manually hauls in the chain. Never anchor overnight or in windy conditions and never (except in emergencies) leave your cruiser anchored and unattended.