• Move the crew to the low side.
• Place a heavy crew member at the end of
the boom while holding it at right angles
to the low side of the boat.
• If this does not work, try hoisting the
mainsail to a beam wind; the wind may
help push you off.
Another way to heel the boat is to rig a halyard
to an anchor set off the beam. Slowly
winching in the halyard may sufficiently
reduce the draft.
You may ask another boater to pull
on the halyard with his boat, but when
pulling from the top of a mast be very careful
to avoid putting too much strain on the
line. It could damage the rigging or jam the
block at the masthead. You may also ask
another boater to run past with his shallow
draft boat thereby creating a wake that
might lift you free.
If you call the Coast Guard or a commercial
company for help, you will need to
know your estimated position.
Running Out of Fuel
Running out of fuel can be inconvenient,
sometimes dangerous, often expensive, and
always embarrassing.
Prevention
You should know your boat’s maximum
range with a full load of fuel.
• Until your experience gives you more precise
data, calculate your boat’s range by
using the information your manufacturer
includes about the maximum rate of fuel
con sumption and usable fuel tank capacity.
• Remember that wind, current, or an
engine problem may increase your fuel
consumption.
• Boat gas gauges are notoriously inaccurate.
Get a mental calibration by noting
the gauge position and then how many
gallons it takes to fill the tank.
Run your boat at various speeds or revolutions
Section 11: Adverse Conditions and Emergencies 125
per minute (RPM) for a measured
amount of time; measure the amount of
fuel consumed. Refer to this information to
estimate the amount of fuel needed to run a
course at a given speed.
Every powered vessel has a particular
cruis ing speed at which it operates most
efficient ly. The literature provided by the
manufac turer should guide you in determining
this speed for your boat. In general,
avoid running at full throttle. Fuel consumption
increases dramatically at high
speeds for most boats. Experiment with
various throttle settings to find the most
efficient speed for your boat. A fuel-flow
meter can help.
Even if you are a trailer boater who
normal ly stops for fuel at a gas station
en- route to or from the ramp, it is wise
to know the location of fuel stations in the
area where you cruise. Small-craft charts
may list marine facilities. U.S. Coast Pilots
and cruising guides will also have this
information. If you carry extra fuel, carry
it in approved tanks designed for use in
a marine environment. Gasoline weighs
6.1 pounds per gallon, and this may add
considerable weight to your boat. Always
secure portable tanks so that they will not
move around in the boat.
It is sensible to leave port with a full
fuel tank and then not let it go below onethird
full. It is useful to remember the 1⁄3
rule (Figure 11-8).
• 1⁄3 of the tank to get there
• 1⁄3 of the tank to get home
• 1⁄3 of the tank for emer gencies
Figure 11-8. Fuel gauge—Allocate thirds
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
180A
181
182
183
184
185
CAUTION!
Use common sense
when causing your
boat to heel by pulling
from the top of the
mast. Wake, waves,
and tow-boat operator
error may cause
jerking actions that
exceed the strength of
the shrouds and chain
plates, leading to probable
loss of the mast.