My first boat need help

[andrew91]

Okay ive been around boats my entire life unfortunately theres always dual levers one for a gear shift and one for a throttle i dont have or have access to an operators manual so maybe someone can explain to me how this works the boat is an 89 celebrity

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: My first boat need help

Much easier. Not sure of the controls, looks like an older Merc or (God forbid) OMC control. The button at the bottom should be a neautral switch. Push that in and the throttle should allow you to rev it up for warm up or etc. Try it on the trailer in the yard 1st. The squeeze on the throttle will allow you to shift into gear-- in and forward going forward, opposite for reverse.. After in gear the switch is released.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: My first boat need help

it's been a long time since the days of dual levers.

Get someone to show you around your new boat and learn how it works

Take the boater safety course.

 

[andrew91]

Re: My first boat need help

ya i figured out the forward and backward i was mainly confused by the throttle only button or as you stated a neutral switch but the rest id figured out im not boating retarded and do not require a safety course i took that a few years ago in scouts and i grew up around 60's boats dad kept things simple but i appreciate the help

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: My first boat need help

If you think someone suggesting a boater's safety course indicates that you "are boating retarded" then you have a LOT to learn.....

That was not an insult... a boater's safety class for adults is guaranteed to teach you a few things... even folks that have been owning and operating boats for decades can learn really good stuff that they didn't even think the were missing....

As for the operation other than the throttle only button... as you push the lever forward the drive goes into forward gear and as you continue forward the throttle increases.... as you return to center the throttle decreases and then it comes out of gear into neutral.. same for reverse when you pull it back.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: My first boat need help

IMHO I wish they made everyone in Southern California take a boat safety course along with navigation fundamentals! I will leave it at that because just like the drivers on the road with autos they do the same with a damn boat.

 

[aspeck]

Re: My first boat need help

Andrew, your lack of punctuation, attitude, and scouts a few years ago let me know you are young. Young is good. We need young people in the boating ranks. However, you need to learn that there is always something you can learn. I have been around boats and boating for 50 years, worked at a marina, have owned multiple boats, in charge of our fire dept rescue boats, and I recently had to take a safety course and was surprised how much I learned. I learn new things on this forum daily.

So embrace your youth, and embrace learning. No one is calling you a retard.

 

[andrew91]

Re: My first boat need help

look i didnt try to get cocky with you guys i am young but not just out of high school ive been boating since i was old enough to operate a boat legally but the matter of the fact is I dont need a boaters safety course to teach me how to use a throttle lever I have actually taken the course twice once at 12 and again at 16 my lack of punctuation has to do with me not typing from an actual keyboard it would take forever to type a post but i have no reason to argue with you i asked a question and got the answer

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: My first boat need help

no worries this is a great place for small boat lovers to talk about their boats with the old guys...

 

[JoshOnt]

Re: My first boat need help

Is it just me or does he not seem to be the kindest of people or even kind for that matter. And as everyone else has said, as you push the lever forward the drive goes into forward gear and as you continue forward the throttle increases.... as you return to center the throttle decreases and then it comes out of gear into neutral.. same for reverse when you pull it back.

 

[agallant80]

Re: My first boat need help

Andrew,

The "take a boater safety course" is something people just say on this site to new members. I would assume its due to the amount of idiots we run in to out on the water ways, not saying your one of those idiots. I just think people are trying to cut down on the amount of them by pushing everyone in the direction of a boater safety course. I would tend to agree. I grew up on huge boats (47 foot) and when I bought my first boat and left the bay for the lakes I was shocked on how people with small craft operate them. No clue for rules of the road, people drinking a beer while driving their boat, drunk dad pulling the kids on a tube, drunk dad trying to put the boat back on the trailer at the ramp, on and on.

Be safe out there and have fun. Welcome to the site. There is a wealth of knowledge here.