OutdoorNebraska

3 Chapter 1 ■ Length of a Vessel A vessel's length overall dictates the equipment the vessel must have to comply with federal and state laws. Length overall is measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern of the vessel. Bow sprits; rudders; outboard motors and motor brackets; handles; and other fittings, attachments, and extensions are not included in the measurement. Types of Engines and Drives Outboards ◆ An outboard is a portable, self-contained package of an engine, gear case, and propeller that is attached to the transom of a boat. ◆ A growing number of outboard engines are of four-stroke design, but many are still conventional two-stroke engines that burn oil as a lubricant along with the fuel. New-technology two-stroke outboards are direct-injection engines and burn over 75% cleaner than conventional two-stroke outboards. ◆ Steering of outboard boats is controlled by a tiller or steering wheel that swivels the entire engine to direct propeller thrust. Inboards ◆ An inboard is a four-stroke automotive engine adapted for marine use. Inboard engines are mounted inside the hull's midsection or in front of the transom. ◆ The engine turns a drive shaft that runs through the bottom of the hull and is attached to a propeller at the other end. ◆ Many personal watercraft (PWCs) have two-stroke inboard engines that burn oil as a lubricant along with the fuel. New-technology two-stroke PWC engines are direct-injection engines and burn cleaner than conventional PWC engines. ◆ Steering of most inboard vessels, except PWCs and jet-drive boats, is controlled by a rudder behind the propeller. Stern Drives ◆ Stern drives are known also as inboard/outboards (I/Os) because they combine features found on both inboard and outboard engines. Stern-drive engines are four-stroke automotive engines adapted for marine use and are mounted inside the boat. ◆ A stern-drive engine is attached through the transom to a drive unit (also called an "outdrive") that is essentially the lower unit of an outboard. The engine turns a drive shaft that is attached to a propeller at the other end. ◆ Steering of stern-drive boats is controlled by the outdrive, which swivels like an outboard engine to direct propeller thrust. Outboards Inboards length overall (LOA) Length of the hull excluding any attachments Length Classes Some states have laws that refer to vessel lengths as "classes." Class Length Class A less than 16 feet Class 1 16 feet to less than 26 feet Class 2 26 feet to less than 40 feet Class 3 40 feet to less than 65 feet However, the U.S. Coast Guard no longer uses these designations to indicate length. transom Vertical surface at the back of the hull tiller Lever used to turn a rudder to steer a boat rudder Steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the stern of the boat Length Length Outboards ... have more power per pound of weight than do inboard engines. Stern Drives ... have quieter and more fuel-efficient engines. Inboards ... have automotive engines adapted to operate in marine environments. Copyright © 2014 Boat Ed, www.boat-ed.com

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