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battery cable must be attached to the negative (-) terminal on the battery
and the positive cable must be attached to the positive (+) terminal. Revers-
ing these connections may cause immediate damage to the transistorized
regulating unit.
NOTE: If battery discharges for no apparent reason, check for any switches
that may have been left on, especially the stereo switch.
Engine Trim
The word "trim" is all-important in boat performance. Trim refers, not just
to the proper distribution of weight within the boat, but, in outboards and
stern drives, to the "in and out" angle of the lower unit. An outboard or
stern drive lower unit tilted too far in (forward) will cause the bow to nose
downward. If tilted too far out (aft), the motor or drive unit will push the
bow upward. Adjust the motor or drive unit so the propeller shaft is parallel
with the water surface when the boat is in its normal running attitude at full
throttle.
Many stern drive and outboard engines are equipped with power trim
which is operated by a switch near the helm or in the throttle control. Acti-
vating this switch allows you to change the angle of your engine by depress-
ing the desired button. For a list of characteristics resulting from trimming
your engine "under," "down" or "in," or trimming "up" or "out," see your
engine owner's manual.
Propellers
Your engine should be equipped with a propeller that performs satisfactorily
under average conditions. There is no "best" propeller for your boat. These
are only props that work better than others in certain applications. If you
alternate between high speed operation and general cruising, you may want
to carry two or more propellers.
An accurate tachometer is important in choosing the best prop for your
boat. When operating your boat at full throttle under normal load
