Boating Basics: How To Use SHIFT and THROTTLE Controls | BoatUS

New to boat handling or need a refresher? We'll show you how to properly use your powerboat's shift and throttle controls. Lenny Rudow explains the different "gears" on your single engine powerboat and the safest way to accelerate and decelerate.
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[@JonGetc]

Useful advice.
It's surprising how something so simple can give a beginner (me) so much trouble when they don't know.
Firstly, I didn't realise, on my boat, there is quite a lot of free movement on the lever in slow speed before engaging acceleration.
Also the slight delay in response, from the prop, made me panic and so I added more throttle which was not good of course.
And, if I did panic it was easy to go into reverse by mistake sometimes because that's where drive is on my car. 😱
I think I am better now though, thanks to videos like yours. 👍🏻

[@boatus]

Thanks so much for watching, Jon. I think you'd be surprised at the number of folks who struggle with the same issues. That's why we do these videos. We're so glad you found it helpful! Sometimes just knowing what's normal (or not) makes a huge difference. You probably want to have your shift/throttle control cable checked out and adjusted/replaced if needed. It's incredibly scary when it doesn't react how and when you expect it to!!

[@phlegm2141]

Do I understand this correctly for my electronic shifter: When my shift lever is between the neutral and forward detents, or between the neutral and reverse detents, I am shifting gears but not turning my propellers until I actually click into the F or R detents? No one has been able to explain this to me, and this video I think has come closest.

[@boatus]

Simple answer, phlegm: Between the detents it remains in neutral. You're out of gear until the propeller begins turning, and the moment you go into gear is when it will start spinning. Shifting is actually going from one to the other, and the only reason there's extra motion in the lever is so you don't shift too abruptly or accidentally. Hope this helps, and thanks for the question!

[@phlegm2141]

Thank you for this clearly stated explanation😊.

[@boatus]

Glad we could help!

[@HungarianRepublic]

Do you have to wear seatbelts?

[@boatus]

No seatbelts in most boats. But in the United States it's now mandatory to wear an Engine Cutoff Switch (ECOS) lanyard on boats smaller than 26 feet if it has one installed. This will shut the engine down and prevent "death spiral" if the captain were to fall overboard or be otherwise incapacitated.

[@HungarianRepublic]

@@boatus ok good. I think you have one of those when you ride jetskis too.

[@boatus]

Absolutely!