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Step 1
Know that as soon as you shift a boat, the propeller begins spinning. Before you shift your boat into gear, check that there are no swimmers, children or pets anywhere near the boat's propeller.
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Step 2
Look at your control handle as you learn to shift a boat. On an electric start engine, the control handle has three shift positions. These positions are forward, neutral and reverse. Normally (on most boats), neutral is the straight-up position.
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Step 3
Put your hand on top of the control handle. Feel the shift lock under the handle with your fingers. Lift the shift lock with your fingers before you start to shift your boat. Push the handle forward firmly until you feel the engine engage in "forward" position.
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Step 4
Accelerate the engine by pushing the control handle past the forward position. This causes the engine's acceleration and your boat moves forward quickly. Before you shift into accelerated gear, remember to look around to see if the coast is clear. Know what direction you are heading in at all times and watch for other boaters, swimmers and skiers.
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Step 5
Slow down by pulling back gently on your control handle (shifting down) until you feel your boat's motor go into idle. Allow the engine to completely slow to idle before you shift back into neutral.
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Step 6
Put a boat into reverse by pulling backwards on the control handle. Lift up on the shift lock with your fingers and pull the control handle back gently, a little at a time.
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Step 7
Shift a manual or pull-start boat engine by using the throttle. Turn the throttle on the boat motor until you line the arrow up with the run/shift motor position. Push the shift lever forward or backwards (for reverse). Turn the throttle handle gently until you reach your desired speed.
