.92 NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
10 Is it required that boats shall he fitted with any mechanical gear
for disengaging the falls?
No It is not necessary when proper means are provided for
detaching each fall by hand.
Mechanical disengaging gears may be fitted, but must be of a design
approved by the Board of Trade. They must be so arranged as to
ensure simultaneous release of both ends of the boat, and must comply
with various other conditions. The hooks must also be suitable for
instant unhooking by hand.
THE MOTOR LAUNCH.
The paraffin fuel tank is usually fitted in the bows of the boat
under the forward deck. A small half gallon tank to hold the petrol
for starting up the engine is fitted in a convenient place. Both fuel
tanks are placed a little higher than the level of the cylinders so as to
get a gravity feed to the engine. The petrol and paraffin can be turned
on and ofE as required by means of a two-way cock at the engine.
Before Starting Up, the running parts m contact should be lubricated
by dropping oil in the several oil holes. The bearings along the pro-
peller shafting should be well oiled and the clutch working freely.
The sea cocks of the cooling water system must be opened!
To Start Up, turn on the petrol feed, slack back the compression
taps on the top of the cylinders, squirt a little petrol into each one,
then tighten the taps up again. See the clutch is out. Turn the
starting handletwith a vigorous throw-over and this will start the engine.
Allow the engine to run for a few minutes to warm up the several parts, •
make sure the circulating water for cooling the engine is all clear by
looking at the overside exhaust. Accelerate and decelerate the engine
to see that it is running all right.
To Get Under Way.—Assuming the engine is now running slowly
in neutral gear I would see there were no loose ends of cordage hanging
over the side to foul the propeller. Cast off mooring and go ahead
steering the boat as required. Switch over from petrol to paraffin.
1. Why is it necessary to start the engine on petrol?
, , Because paraffin will not remain in vapour form when mixed with"
cold air. The vaporiser on the engine could be heated by means of a
blow-lamp until1 the temperature of the vapour is raised to about 140°
Fahrenheit* when the mixture will explode. This process, however,