Coaches Corner at Thompson Boat Center

All Thompson Boat Center employed coaches are required to thoroughly review this section and will be tested to ensure a basic knowledge of this information. In addition, all Thompson Boat Center coaches are required to pass a Boating Safety Course recognized and approved by the US Coast Guard.

Outboard/Launch Procedures
Safety Guidelines & River Rules (Potomac River Safety Committee)
Coaches' Test (PDF)
Boating Safety Course (BoatUS.com)

Outboard/Launch Procedures:

TBC outboard engines are used almost every day between March and November. These engines are fragile and as a TBC coach you must practice care in use of these engines.

Gasoline/oil mixing responsibility is for TBC program management staff only. TBC coaches should not take it upon themselves to mix oil/gas.

Lowering Outboard

1. Facing back of launch locate the lowering handle on left side of engine. Place left hand on handle, right hand on top of engine.	2. Slowly lift engine simultaneously as you pull on handle to release engine/handle.

3. As the engine lowers down into the water, hang on to engine and slowly lower to down position. Do not let engine fall hard onto launch transom!

Starting Outboard

1. Before practice you must place one life vest bag (8 vests) per crew, one throw ring and a paddle in launch.	2. Check to make sure reverse pin is in proper place through engine bracket holes. Pin tends to shift during use and will cause engine to kick up in reverse gear when not in place.

3. Before attaching gas line from tank towards engine, make sure the pump ball arrow is pointing from-tank-to-engine flow.	4. All TBC launches are "hard wired" with existing gas lines. You will not need an extra gas line. Line from engine to water filter should not be disconnected. Attach gas line by pressing tab and pushing onto tank pins. Check to make sure the pins are lined up correctly. Do not force the pins.

5. TBC launches are all equipped with a water-separator filter. Check to make sure gas line is running in proper sequence. Gas tank to water filter to engine. Also check that tank vent is open to prevent vapor lock which will stop fuel flow to engine.	6. Pump gas ball until firm.

7. Pull-push choke in-out 5 times, leave in. DO NOT LEAVE CHOKE OUT AFTER ENGINE IS WARMED UP AND RUNNING.	8. Make sure gear is in neutral position.

9. On a cold day, lift idle 1/3 up. Most times the idle lever does not need to be used.	10. Insert key and turn to start. As soon as engine starts and idles to stay running, push idle lever back to down position. Engine should start without using idle lever. Step #7 will suffice to get engine primed for starting. DO NOT LEAVE IDLE UP AFTER ENGINE IS RUNNING.
Sometimes outboard engines will stall and flood, getting to know these engines and learning how each tends to react to operating procedures takes time. Be gentle with engines, you need to have the "right touch". For the most part they always start with a strong pull.	NOTE: Not all TBC launches are equiped with batteries for key-start. When key-start is not possible pull-starting is the only way to start outboards. Key must still be turned to "on" position for pull-start.

Lifting Engine

1. Turn off engine. Push gear in forward position.	2. Place hand on top of engine and pull up, then release letting engine catch in up-locking position.

3. Make sure gear is returned to neutral position.

Lights & Pump

1. A pull switch is located on console for lights. Be careful not to break switch.	2. Starboard and port lights. Use at all times during low light practices.

3. Bilge pump switch is located under gears. There is an automatic and manual setting. Hold for manual, use automatic for constant running when water level is high enough to activate pump float switch.