How to Use a Personal Pontoon Boat
Using a personal pontoon boat is like using any other boat in that it requires practice, use and more practice to "get it right." Fortunately, there are many parallels between driving a boat and driving a car. There are also many parallels between the rules for cars and boats about right of way, speed and even when to turn on your lights. Even so, there are some important differences that can get you into trouble if you don't pay attention.
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Instructions
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Push the throttle--the handle on top of the control console--forward to move forward. Pull the throttle to the rear to move backward. The speed of movement is controlled by how far forward or backward you move the throttle handle.
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Turn the steering wheel to control the direction in which the boat travels. If you turn the wheel to the left while moving forward, the boat will turn left. If you turn the wheel right, it will turn to the right. If you are moving backward and turn the wheel to the left, the stern--the back of the boat--will move to the left. Likewise, turning the wheel to the right will move the stern to the right.
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To stop the boat while moving forward, move the throttle to the center position to take the motor out of gear. Remember that a boat does not have "brakes" like a car does. This means it will be necessary to take the motor out of gear well before you come to the place where you wish to stop. If you are still moving forward when you reach the place where you intend to stop, pull the throttle handle backward, into reverse, to lose speed quickly.
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Pay attention to your surroundings and "boat defensively." Just like defensive driving, defensive sailing is the safest way to go. Learn the navigation rules just like you learned the rules in the driver's manual before you got your driver's license. The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers boater education courses in all states and many cities.
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Go a little slow while you're learning. Remember the old sailor's adage, "Going fast just gets you into trouble quicker."
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Tips & Warnings
The rule of thumb used to slow a boat with the engines is that applying full power astern (putting into reverse at full power) will slow your progress by one boat length for each 10 knots (nautical miles per hour) of speed. This means that, if you're moving at 20 knots and you apply full reverse, you will stop in about 2 boat lengths.
Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and ask if your state requires a boating license. If a boating license is required, be sure to get one before you go boating.
