MasterCraft 2009 MariStar X-Series owner manual

With both steering and propulsion at the rear of the boat, the initiation of a turn pushes the stern of the boat away from the direction of the turn. The stern follows a larger turning circle than the bow. This is especially important to remember when making maneuvers within close quarters.

While the effects of unequal propeller thrust (torque steering), wind, and current may not always be present, a practiced driver will use them to his/her advantage.

Unequal thrust is a phenomenon shared by all single-engine, propeller-driven boats. With the rudder in the straight-ahead position, a counterclockwise rotation propeller tends to cause the boat to drive to port when going forward, and to starboard when going backward.

At high speed, there is compensation for this effect, and it is virtually non-existent. But, at slow speed—and especially during backing—the effect can be very pronounced. This is the main reason that most experienced drivers approach with the dock to the starboard of the boat.

Stopping—or checking headway—is a technique that must be mastered. With no brakes, reverse must

be used to stop the boat. The momentum of the boat will vary according to the load. Make it a practice to slow to no- wake speed before shifting into reverse.

When practicing maneuvering tech- niques, always do so in open water that is free of traffic. Adequate practice may make the difference between a pleasur- able boating experience or a potentially damaging (at the very least, embarrass- ing) one.

For the best engine performance and longevity, the wide-open- throttle (WOT) engine operation must be near the top of, but within, the specified WOT operating range. To adjust the WOT operating range, select a propeller with the proper diameter and pitch. The propeller supplied on the boat was chosen for best all- around performance under average operating conditions.

Load, weather, altitude and boat condition all affect WOT en- gine operation. If the boat is used for several different applica- tions such as wakeboarding, barefooting and cruising, it may be necessary to have two (2) or more propellers of differing size and pitch to allow the engine to operate in the WOT range for each application.

Propping the boat should be done after the boat is loaded in the manner in which it would normally be loaded for each applica- tion. For example, in propping the boat for wakeboarding, fill the ballast tanks and add the people and gear that normally would be expected in the boat. Take the boat out and after warm-up, run it at wide-open-throttle and note the maximum RPM. EFI engines are equipped with RPM limiters to prevent over-revving. Take note if the RPM limiter is activated.

High Speed Operation MasterCraft boats are designed to be a high-performance boat. Professional drivers with advanced operating skills

perform high-speed maneuvers and turns on-a-dime. DO NOT attempt to duplicate or simulate these feats. Paid, professional drivers log thousands of hours on the water and carefully cho- reograph every move. Plans are made in advance in the event the routine must be aborted. Maneuvers of this nature could cause serious injury or death, as well as damage to your MasterCraft boat that will not be covered under warranty.

Boat operators should never attempt to duplicate operational skills of professional drivers. When such maneuvers fail, it can result in serious injury or death.

If the WOT RPM is higher than the maximum RPM in your en- gine’s WOT operating range, the boat is under-propped. Install- ing a higher-pitched propeller will reduce the WOT RPMs. An engine that is over-revving may quickly experience catastrophic damage, which will not be covered under warranty.

If the WOT RPM is lower than the minimum RPM in your engine’s WOT operating range, the boat is over-propped. Install- ing a lower-pitched propeller will increase WOT RPMs.

An engine that is under-revving is “lugging.” This places a tremendous load on the pistons, crankshaft and bearings and can cause detonation, piston seizure and other engine damage, which will not be covered under warranty.

MasterCraft 2009 Owner’s Manual - Page 10-2