Boat Operation Guide -- Mini Pontoon (trouble shooting below)
- Outfit proper size lifejackets for ALL people and at least 1 throwable (seat cushion), see woodshed on west side of the lodge for all lifejacket needs. (All children 10 yrs and younger must wear a flotation vest according to Minnesota) Check under seats first for correct fitting flotation vests and throwable
- Make sure your motorized boat has at least 1 oar, 1 anchor tied to bow of boat, 4 mooring lines –(2 starboard {rt} and 2 port {left} both fore & aft)
- Check fuel , (This boat is equipped with a 6.6 gallon red plastic tank near the back and should be filled to 6 gallon mark if you are renting by the week – most guests do not use entire tank during their stay, but check it periodically – we’ll check, too – and if you think you’ll need more, we’ll fill and charge you whatever additional gallons you use.)
- Fuel cap should be vented or cracked, and both ends of fuel lines should be secured to tank & motor. Squeeze the primer bulb on the fuel line to make sure it is firm & full of fuel.
- Before starting, double check motor is not buried in lake weeds or mud. Note: The entire propeller must be submerged in water before attempting to start engine.
- To Start: Make sure black, T-shaped shift/throttle lever is in neutral position, and idle throttle lever is completely down. While turning ignition switch, you may repeatedly push/pull key to engage the electronic choke If engine is firing on its own, slightly raise the idle throttle lever above the ignition key to increase rpm’s and let engine warm up for 30 seconds at medium idle speed. Note: If air temperature is above 80 deg. F , choking the engine will not be necessary, and may actually flood engine. If engine does not start,– see troubleshooting guide.
- With engine running, make sure water is “peeing” from starboard rear of engine. If not, switch engine off immediately, and find a CWC employee to help you.
- Before engaging transmission, make sure the 2 mooring lines are disengaged and engine path is free of weeds. If not; you may have to push or row the boat away from the dock until a clear path is available before engaging motor. Throttle must be at the lowest position before attempting the reverse or forward gears! Squeeze red part of T-handle and pull backward for reverse or push forward to proceed ahead
- Slowly back boat away from dock and turn to engage forward motion as soon as possible. (Propellers are not designed to go quickly in reverse and easily tangle in weeds.)
- When returning to dock, make sure motor will not be dragging through the mud and weeds, slowly edge up to one side of dock or other and tie (moor) 2 lines from boat to dock. Note: Please do not moor boat to the top of either T – dock to let people fish and to prevent damage to the boat from quickly arising winds or storms.
Troubleshooting Motor Guide
Engine won’t start –1. Check both fuel connections, fuel primer should be hard
- Make sure red lanyard cord is attached to the red button (kill switch near ignition key)
- A manual choke button is located on the front of the engine and may be pulled out until motor is started
- If you smell gas or see it in the water behind the motor, the engine is flooded. Push in choke, turn throttle to lowest idle, & continue to engage ignition key until excess fuel has been evacuated from carb. (Extreme cases may have to let motor set for 10 minutes before reattempting to start)
Engine sputters – Make sure choke is pushed in
- Make sure fuel lines are connected
Engine runs at full throttle but boat doesn’t move
- Is anchor in water?
- Stop engine, lift, and check for weeds.
A whistle is located at the end of the red lanyard cord for emergencies. If cell phone is available you may call the resort @ (218)652-3111 or Ryan is @ (218) 252-7769 for help.
NOTE: This boat & motor is NOT designed to pull/tow any tubes, skiis, kneeboards, etc. and should not be used as such unless emergencies dictate it!
