How to Drive a 28 Foot Boat

Originally built by Bertram Yachts, the U.S. Navy's 28-foot shallow-water attack boat appeared in 1966. Although originally powered by twin Chryslers with Dana sterndrives, it appeared in a later incarnation as a vessel for sea-borne personnel insertions and extractions. In this form, it was powered by a 450-horsepower Caterpiller 3126 engine with a Hamilton jet drive. The change to jet drive allowed the vessel to operate in shallower waters. It also made the vessel more maneuverable in the hands of an experienced operator.

Instructions

  1. High-Speed Take Off and "Crash" Stop

    • 1

      Trim the jet drive upward for a high-speed take off. Simultaneously push the throttle forward to the stops. Trim the jet drive -- and the bow -- downward as the vessel picks up speed. Watch the drive trim indicator and cease trimming the drive when it reaches the neutral position.

    • 2

      Trigger the "Up" side of the jet drive's trim switch and raise the bow slightly as soon as you reach maximum operating speed.

    • 3

      Trim the drive fully "Up," to initiate the "crash" stop. Push the throttle to full "Reverse" when the trim indicator shows the drive is halfway up. The bow will rise steeply, causing the bottom of the boat to break suddenly. Move the throttle to "Neutral" as the boat comes to a standstill.

    Stopping with a 180-degree Spin

    • 4

      Move the throttle to "Neutral." Keep the motor's trim neutral. Turn the wheel hard over -- in the direction in which you wish the bow of the boat to turn as you stop.

    • 5

      Move the throttle to the wide open position. Move the throttle to neutral as the boat spins around. Center the wheel.

    • 6

      Push the throttle to full "Reverse" to check the boat's sideways motion. Move the throttle to neutral as the boat approaches a full stop.