Standard operational procedures

This is a list of concise, preferred operational practices for X-Dimension. For detailed descriptions of systems, please see Systems Descriptions. For a complete list of detailed instructions of how to do things on the boat, see the HowTos.

Engine

Starting

• Transmission must be in neutral (port lever horizontal)
• Starter battery switch in starboard lazarette switched on (12 o'clock); buzzer will sound
• Throttle (starboard lever) up slightly
• Press black starter button (with rubber boot starboard of the binnacle)
• Throttle down to idle after engine starts
• Check oil pressure gauge to ensure pressure rises after start
• Check exhaust to ensure cooling water is being expelled.

Shifting

• Throttle must be at idle before shifting (starboard lever down)
• Transmission settings (port side lever): ahead propulsion(lever down), astern propulsion (lever up), neutral (lever horizontal)

NOTE: FAILING TO SET THROTTLE AT IDLE BEFORE SHIFTING WILL DAMAGE PROPELLER FEATHERING MECHANISM

Stopping Engine While Under Sail (to feather propeller)

• Transmission must be in ahead propulsion (port lever down)
• Boat speed must be at least 5 knots through the water so that prop feathers when engine stops (use throttle as necessary to supplement sails)
• Keeping transmission in ahead propulsion, pull engine stop line (located in starboard lazarette) until engine stops; buzzer will sound
• Starter battery switch in starboard lazarette switched 'off' (9 o'clock); buzzer will silence
• Move transmission lever to neutral (port lever horizontal) to prepare for next start
• Visually check prop shaft (can be viewed easily from starboard lazarette opening); if rotating quickly, then prop has not feathered and process must be repeated at a higher boat speed. If rotating slowly, place transmission in astern propulsion to stop rotation.

NOTE: If engine is stopped while in astern propulsion, the propeller will not feather.

Stopping Engine

• Transmission in neutral(port lever horizontal)
• Throttle at idle (starboard lever horizontal)
• If engine has been running hard and is hot, allow to idle for a few minutes to cool before stopping engine
• Pull engine stop line (located in starboard lazarette)until engine stops; buzzer will sound
• Starter battery switch in starboard lazarette switched 'off' (9 o'clock); buzzer will silence