This page provides operations procedures for the CYC Pontoon Boat. The pontoon boat is a necessary part of the sailing and rowing programs. CYC members are encouraged to abide by these operations instructions to ensure a long, repair-free life for this asset.
Scheduling of Use
Contact or to schedule use of the boat. The primary purpose for the boat is support for the sailing and rowing programs at CYC. When the boat is not scheduled for support of these programs, CYC members can checkout and use the boat for other Club-related activities.
Safety Equipment
Ensure the following safety equipment is onboard and operational before use:
- Enough life jackets for every person who will be on the boat (under the bench seats)
- The fuel tank contains sufficient fuel for your excursion (1.3 gallons per hour of operation)
- Horn works
- VHF radio works
- Your cell phone works if you have one
- Fire extinguisher is in place next to the console
VHF Radio
The VHF radio is a key piece of safety equipment during sailboat races and rowing events. The radio must be turned on and positioned to channel 16 during these events. Proper reception of the radio should be checked with event participants before the event begins.
After a communication session starts between the CYC Pontoon Boat and an event participant, both radios should be switched from channel 16 to another comon channel. When the session ends, the VHF radio on the pontoon boat should be switched back to channel 16.
Lights and Horn
The light switches and horn button are on the console. Ensure the lights work if you plan to be using the boat after sundown. The Deck Lights switch also acts as the overhead cabin light switch; the rocker switch provides the deck flood lights in one position and the overhead lights in the other position. The overhead lights also have local switches on the units.
Undocking
The CYC Pontoon Boat is in a wet slip at the end of the east dock. A dock line at each corner and a spring line on each side keeps the boat in the slip and from hitting the pilings.
Leave the dock lines in place until you start the engine.
After starting the engine, remove all dock lines from the cleats on the boat except one on the end/side that the wind is blowing from. Take that last dock line off as you engage the engine to move out of the slip. Have someone on the boat and near the pilings as you move out of the slip to help fend off if the wind blows you towards one of them. Leave the slip slowly, driving into the direction of the wind if possible, to avoid damage to the boat or to other boats nearby.
Avoid driving over dock lines that are in the water; they can do a lot of damage to the prop and motor shaft.
Docking
Approach the wet slip in gear and moving slowly with the bow pointed east (towards the rowing barn). Have someone on the boat and near the pilings as you move into the slip to help fend off if the wind blows you towards one of them. Use a boat hook to catch the dock lines on the pilings as you enter the slip.
Attach all dock lines the way you found them when you started before shutting down the engine. After shutting down the engine, ensure the boat does not strike a piling when you tug on the dock lines. Retie the spring lines as required to prevent the boat from striking a piling.
Ensure all light and accessory switches are turned off before you leave the boat. Leave the boat in the same clean condition in which you found it. Turn off the master auxillary switch in the battery compartment.
Engine Startup
Before starting the engine, ensure the gearshift/throttle is in the neutral position as shown in Figure 1. The Trim Button should be used to place the engine in a vertical position in the water.
To start the engine, depress the Disengage Button at the throttle base as shown in Figure 1 and move the throttle up to a vertical position as shown in Figure 2 then pull it back down about 1/3 of the way towards neutral. If you leave the throttle all the way up, the engine will over rev when it starts.
Depress the key to apply choke as you turn the key to the start position. If the engine does not start within 5 seconds, wait at least 10 seconds before trying again. Remember to keep the key pressed in to apply choke as you turn the key to the start position and after the engine starts. Allow the key to return to the run position after the engine starts while continuing to press in for choke.
If the engine does not start on the second try, pull the throttle back about 3 inches and push it back to the position about 1/3 down from vertical; depress and turn the key again.
After the engine starts, move the throttle back down to keep the engine RPM below 1500. Keep the key pressed in, applying choke, until the engine warms up enough to run without the choke -- runs smoothly and does not falter when you release the choke.
Engine Warmup
Allow 2-3 minutes for engine warmup in warm weather and 10 minutes at 2,000 RPM for warmup in cold weather.
Ensure cooling water is discharging from back/side of the motor. Turn the motor off if the cooling water is not discharging. If the red overheat indicator at the ignition switch turns on, turn the motor off.
Engine Operation
Move the Gearshift/Throttle to the neutral, mid-position aligned with the word Honda on the Gearshit to bring the Disengage Button out for normal operation. Move the Gearshift up for forward as shown in Figure 3 or down for reverse. Do not allow the gears to grind to much during shifting; move the lever smartly into gear with a smooth and firm motion.
Ensure the green oil pressure light stays on at the ignition key. If the low oil presuure alarm sounds and the green light goes off, shut the motor down.
Keep the engine in the vertical position at all times by using the Trim Button.
Do not exceed 5,000 RPM. Change throttle positions slowly.
Reduce the throttle early when approaching a dock or another boat; it takes the pontoon boat a while to slow down.
In high winds, drive the boat slowly to prevent damage to the roof.
Engine Shutdown
When the Pontoon Boat is secured to a dock or another boat or anchored, place the Gearshift/Throttle in the neutral position and turn the key to the off position to stop the engine.
In the winter when the boat will not be used for over three weeks, close the valve in the fuel line (right, stern compartment) while the engine is running to starve the engine of fuel. When the engine stops, turn the key to the off position. This prevents the carbuerators from gumming.
Refueling
Before bringing the boat back to the Club, ensure the tank is full of fuel. You can use 87 or 93 octane unleaded gasoline. DO NOT add oil to the fuel. The boat consumes approximately 1.3 gallons of fuel per hour. The fuel tank capacity is approximately 20 gallons which will provide approximately 15 hours of operation. The fuel gauge on the console provides an approximate reading of fuel level.
Reporting Problems
If you encounter problems while operating the CYC Pontoon Boat, report those problems to at 704-375-8410 or . at 704-583-1685.
Other links for the Pontoon Boat:
