Southern Ski Boats Co. – RIP

Before you leave the dock, some simple checks can help to make your boating trip safer. Besides ruining your day out on calm waters, you don’t want the expense of being towed back to shore if your outboard motor fails. Even if you aren’t a boat expert, there are a few routine checks and maintenance tasks that you can easily do yourself, which may well save you time, money and frustration.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Fill the tank with fresh fuel. Fuel lines should be connected and in good repair, not kinked or broken. Inspect for signs of oil or fuel leaks. Oftentimes when a motor doesn’t run right, there is a problem with the fuel supply. Always check the easiest things to repair first.

Step 2

Make sure that the battery is charged. Actually, it’s a good idea to recharge after every use. Clean terminal connections often so that they do not become corroded. Check to see that all connections are tightened. Battery cables should be in good condition as well. Keep the top of the battery clean and dry, as trouble with a battery can affect the performance of a boat’s engine.

Step 3

Inspect the spark plugs and replace any that look worn. Check gaskets, hoses and belts. Replace any hoses or belts that are cracked or brittle. Keep the engine clean and well tuned.

Step 4

Check the level of oil in the engine. Make sure that it hasn’t been contaminated with water. Change the oil and clean or change the fuel filter as needed.

Step 5

Test steering cables by turning the wheel hard from side to side. If the boat has power steering, check the power steering fluid. Refill if fluid is low. Check the fittings around the helm for leaks. At regular intervals, remove the steering wheel and lubricate the helm shaft with waterproof marine grease to prevent corrosion. Do this to boats with either power or manual steering.

Step 6

Examine the propeller and rudder for signs of wear or damage. This can cause the boat to use more fuel.

The outboard motor is an ingenious invention. This compact motor is powered by gasoline, is cooled by the water around it and generates enough power to push a boat and the people on it. Water pumps on outboard motors suck in water, cool the motor and expel it. Because boats operate in the water, rust and other corrosion can occur. This is the primary reason why outboard motor makers suggest replacing the impeller of the water pump once a year.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Socket wrench set
• Wrench
• Cheap dish soap

Step 1

Find the water pump on your engine. This is located in the lower part of your engine, near the lower gears. The locking bolt is located on the motor’s housing, directly above the propeller. Use your wrench to loosen the top bolt.

Step 2

Remove the exterior housing to expose the casing and drive shaft.

Step 3

Use a socket wrench to remove the four bolts that lock the head of the pump to the drive shaft. Make note of which bolt went into which hole.

Step 4

Remove the pump. Use both hands and apply pressure to the head of the pump to remove it.

Step 5

Replace the impeller. This is the metal sprocket that sits on the drive shaft. Simply remove the old impeller and replace with the new one.

Step 6

Replace the casing of the pump. You may notice some resistance when reinstalling the pump’s casing. If you find that the housing will not install correctly, coat the inside of the housing with dish soap. This provides enough lubrication to slide the casing on.

Step 7

Replace the bolts, locking the casing to the motor, and reattach the outside of the outboard motor.

Installing an outboard motor can be as simple as screwing down a few brackets or as involved as refitting the stern of a boat. Outboard motors provide invigorating power to boating. The average outboard motor installation process should not take more than a few hours.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Start the outboard installation procedure by getting the right size outboard for your boat. Outboard motors should never exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation limits of the specific boat.

Step 2

Examine the transom to be sure the outboard’s propeller shaft won’t drag the bottom in shallow water. The brackets may have to be adjusted if the outboard has a long shaft.

Step 3

Read through the manufacturer’s installation information. This should be kept with the boat information. The manufacturer will clearly state exactly how to install the outboard.

Step 4

Slip the outboard into the clamp bolts. These attach the outboard to the boat.

Step 5

Tighten the clamps by hand. The bolts should be flexible enough to allow the outboard to be pivoted out of the way as it is locked onto a trailer or lowered into the water.

Step 6

Tie off the outboard with a strong cable and lock to prevent theft.

Small boats are used for both pleasure and fishing. Paddles and outboard motors are the main sources of power for small boats. For fishing boats and pleasure boats, such as ski boats, outboard motors are the obvious choice. Driving a boat with an outboard motor can be a small challenge to someone that isn’t familiar with boats.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Start the outboard motor. Use the pull crank to start the engine. You start the motor by making sure it’s in neutral and the throttle is set to start, make sure you pull out the choke and then pull the starter rope much as you would a lawn mower. Once the engine starts, push the choke back in and back off on the throttle. Larger outboard motors are typically equipped with electronic starters.

Step 2

Move the shift lever for the motor to the forward position. Apply power to the motor by moving the throttle lever forward or on a smaller motor by twisting the handle. The farther you advance the throttle the faster the boat will move.

Step 3

Push the handle of the outboard motor to the left side of the boat. The farther you push the handle the sharper the turn. This applies to smaller motors, whereas larger motors and boats are directed by a steering wheel. For boats and motors of this type, you steer them just like a car. The transfer linkage between the steering wheel and the motor compensates to allow the boat to turn in the direction the wheel is turned.

Step 4

Push the handle towards the right side of the boat to turn to the left. This is the same as step three but in the opposite direction.

Ships and large yachts change their trim—their state of “levelness” along a line running from the bow to the stern—by moving water or fuel between internal tanks. If the bow is lower, the boat is said to be “trimmed by the bow;” if the stern is lower, the boat is said to be trimmed by the stern.” If the boat is level, then it’s “on an even keel.” For smaller boats which lack ballast tanks and which are powered by outboard motors, this change of trim is made by trimming the outboard motor.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Torpedo level

How to Trim an Outboard Boat Motor

Step 1

Boat Trim Problems and Causes

Determine how the vessel is riding in the water after all passengers and “stuff” is aboard by using a torpedo level placed along the center line of the boat on one of the seats of the boat, or on the deck. If the bubble moves toward the bow, the stern is higher than the bow (trimmed by the bow); if the bubble moves toward the stern, the bow is higher than the stern. Outboard motors are designed to push the hull of a boat through the water in a position as close to level as possible. Maintaining this near-level condition will provide optimum performance and stability.

Step 2

Trim Angle Adjusting Rod

Locate the trim angle adjusting rod on the bottom of the clamp which secures the motor to the transom of the boat on smaller outboard motors.

Step 3

Too Little Angle Buries the Bow

Move the adjusting rod forward into a hole closer to the bow, increasing the angle between the mounting bracket and the transom. This will cause the thrust from the propeller to raise the bow slightly when making way through the water and help prevent sluggish handling or an unsafe condition: in extreme cases, the bow of the boat will try to bury itself in the water.

Step 4

Too Great an Angle Swamps the Stern

Move the adjusting rod aft into a hole farther from the bow to lower the bow and raise the stern slightly by decreasing the angle between the mounting bracket and the transom. This will prevent the stern of the boat from trying to dive underwater when power is applied, a condition called “squatting.”

Step 5

Trim larger outboard motors by using the trim switch which is remotely operated and usually located on the boat’s instrument and control panel.

Most of the lower unit of an outboard motor is nothing more than the mounting for the gear case. The gear case is the “business end” of the lower unit of the lower unit of an outboard motor and, when boaters talk about “changing out the lower unit,” they are actually talking about disconnecting the speedometer cable, removing the gear case, and replacing the old, worn gear case with a new or rebuilt gear case. This is also an ideal time to inspect the prop for nicks and bent blades.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Camper’s headlamp
• Socket set
• Screwdriver
• Lithium grease

Step 1

Take the key out of the ignition switch and pull the emergency lanyard (the line that clips to the operator’s life jacket) out of the emergency stop switch. Move engine control handle to the neutral position.

Step 2

Remove the prop and the gear case cover with a socket wrench. Locate the splice connector at the end of the speedometer tube that comes out of the top of the front side of the gear case. Pull the two ends of the splice connector apart. On top rear of the gear case, there is a plastic plug; pry it out with a small screwdriver. Under the plug, there is a bolt. Using a socket wrench (and a socket extender, if necessary) loosen the bolt completely and remove the trim tab (the fin just above the prop).

Step 3

Remove the gear case by removing the bolt below the the place where the trim tab was mounted and remove the two bolts on either side. If the gear case won’t come out easily, hit the plate above the prop with the side of your fist to break it loose, or pry gently with a screwdriver. Remove the gear case by pulling it straight out. If the old gear case has locating pins and the new gear case does not (they may be sold separately from the new gear case), transfer them from the old gear case to the new gear case: they are critical to gear case alignment.

Step 4

Grease the drive shaft and shifter shaft splines by wiping them with a rag covered with lithium grease, which is available at most auto parts stores. Visually inspect the control handle to make sure that it is in neutral and turn the shaft of the gear case to make sure that it is in neutral as well. If it is not, move the drive shaft until the gear case shifts to neutral. Slide the gear case up into place. If it is not aligned with the water pump housing, it will will not go in all the way.

Step 5

Gently push the drive shaft upwards, into the mid-part of the motor; push up until it reaches the of the crankshaft. if it won’t go all the way to the bottom of the crankshaft, have a friend turn the motor flywheel clockwise until the drive shaft and crankshaft are aligned. When the crankshaft and the drive shaft are aligned, lower the drive shaft just enough to insert the speedometer through the hole line up the shift shaft, push the gear case all the way up and insert one bolt finger tight to maintain alignment. Replace the prop.

Step 6

Set the motor control handle to the forward position, then try to spin the prop. The prop should not move turn. Return the control handle back into the neutral position; the prop should spin freely in both directions. Set the control handle to reverse. The prop should not move. Replace and tighten all the bolts, reinstall the trim tab, push the ends of the splice connector on the speedometer cable together. Then replace the gear case cover, replace and tighten all bolts and test-run the motor.

This article will teach you how to get up, find that spot, and surf right! Once you master this part, you can begin learning tricks and eventually become sponsered!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Boat with an inboard motor.
• Wakesurf board
• Rope with handle (preferably a surf rope)
• Rope catcher
• Driver

Step 1

Have your feet on top of the board (boart sideways to the boat) while you lay in the water (feet pointing towards boat with body behind). Have the rope tied to the highest spot on the boat nd have the rope in hand ready to go.

Step 2

The diver then needs to put the boat in gear and slowly power up to about 5 miles and hour. During this time the rider needs to use his/her feet (or hand) to push the side of the board vertically up so that it builds water resistance.

Step 3

When the board is building the water resistance, use that resistance and the rope to pull the top of your body to the position of standing ontop of the board and the water. In this time you should also turn the board to point towards the boat.

Step 4

The boat at this point should power up to the speed of the maximum wake size (probably between 9 and 15). The rider should pull more of the rope towards them pulling his/herself toward the boat.

Step 5

Once you get to about a foot or two from the boat you should be in the area of the “sweet spot” where your board will get its push. If you feel that you are going too fast put weight on the back of the board, yet if you feel you are going to slow, put weight on the front of the board.

Step 6

Once you get to a spot that you are riding the swell, throw the rpe to the rope catcher. If you start to move back remember to put weight forward, and vice versa. If you feel that you are going back too fast and cant go back forward, have the rope catcher throw you the rope so you can keep going.

Wakesurfing is a great water sport that anyone with a moderate level of fitness can enjoy.

Here you’ll find a step-by-step breakdown of how to stand up and take off.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Lie in the water with your feet facing the boat and the board perpendicular to the way the boat is pointing. Draw your knees up close to your chest. Have your feet sitting on the board.

Step 2

Hold the handle tight with one hand. Hold the board against your feet with your other hand by grabbing the top rail.

Step 3

Ask the driver to put the boat into its lowest gear so it moves slowly. Make sure the base of the board is pointing towards the boat. The slow momentum should press the board to your feet. You can now grab the handle with both hands.

Step 4

Get the boat driver to accelerate. Now push your back foot down on the board.

Simultaneously stand up on your back foot as you also swing the front foot around so your board is pointing forward.

Wakesurfing is a new form of lake water sports, similar to wakeboarding, with some slight differences. Wakesurfing is done with a small rope, towed behind a boat, no more than 10 feet from the motor. The tow boat is not traveling at a high speed, thus the wave that wakesurfers ride on is large and powerful, giving you the feel of surfing in the ocean.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Get the correct equipment. To properly wakesurf, you will need a wakesurf board, a proper wakesurf rope, and a speed boat with an inboard motor and a rope tie overhead. If you can’t find the proper equipment for wakesurfing at your local store, visit one of the many online stores.

Step 2

Know which way you surf. Before you get started, take a minute to figure out which direction you want to surf. If you surf, skateboard or snowboard regular foot (left foot forward), line up in the water on the right side of the boat. If you are a goofy foot (right foot forward), line up in the water on the left side of the boat. You aren’t supposed to cross over the wake while wakesurfing.

Step 3

Create a big wave. Have all the other people and objects of weight in the boat sit on the side of the boat that you are wakesurfing on. This will create a bigger wave for you to surf.

Step 4

Let the boat do the work. Getting up on a wakesurf board is no different than a wakeboard, the boat does most of the work. Even though your feet are not strapped in on a wakesurf board, you will be secure. Trust yourself.

Step 5

Use the rope as a guide. Once you are up and wakesurfing, the rope is really only there for guidance. You are supposed to surf on the wake as you would if you were surfing in the ocean. Only use the rope if you feel like you are losing the wave or about to fall. Think of it as a crutch.

Do a 360 on a wakeboard and you will advance into the ranks of an intermediate wakeboarder. Not to mention experiencing the awesome feeling of a full rotation in the air.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Be confident jumping from one side of the boat’s wake to the other. To do a 360, you’re going to need big air. You’ll also need to have mastered the 180 and be very good at passing the ski rope’s handle from hand to hand while in the air and turning.

Step 2

Do the Surface 360. When boarders talk about a 360, they are talking about the Air 360. That the best 360s are done in the air is just a given in the lingo. However, you do need to learn the Surface 360 first before you take it up high. Start with a Surface 180, hold it there for a minute and then continue with the rotation.

Step 3

Pull the handle in towards you while turning in the same motion. Let go of the handle with your trailing hand, bending the elbow so that the handle will be at the small of your back. Grab it with your other hand while your body is turning all the way back around.

Step 4

Approach the wake to do a 360 (Air 360). This is basically two 180s done consecutively in the air. It should look like one spin. Make sure that the rope’s handle controls your rotation. You don’t want your waist to do the work or you’ll look sloppy at best, face plant at worst.

Step 5

Start your spin at the height of your jump after you pop off the wake and pass the handle. Keep your eyes up on the horizon, not down at the water to keep your board flat and on axis. Once the handle has passed from one hand to the other, completely your spin is easy.

Step 6

Spot the water early and loosen your muscles to absorb the landing. Knees bent and handle low. Catch the water on a slight heel side edge to avoid smacking on a front edge. Once you’re really good at the 360, it’s time to add to them with grabs and heelsides.