17OperationEMU26901InstallationCAUTION:ECM00110Incorrect engine height or obstructionsto smooth water flow (such as the designor condition of the boat, or accessoriessuch as transom ladders or depth findertransducers) can create airborne waterspray while the boat is cruising. Severeengine damage may result if the motor isoperated continuously in the presence ofairborne water spray.NOTE:During water testing check the buoyancy ofthe boat, at rest, with its maximum load.Check that the static water level on the ex-haust housing is low enough to prevent wa-ter entry into the powerhead, when waterrises due to waves when the outboard is notrunning.EMU26910Mounting the outboard motorWARNINGEWM00820 Overpowering a boat could cause se-vere instability. Do not install an out-board motor with more horsepowerthan the maximum rating on the capac-ity plate of the boat. If the boat does nothave a capacity plate, consult the boatmanufacturer. The information presented in this sec-tion is intended as reference only. It isnot possible to provide complete in-structions for every possible boat andmotor combination. Proper mountingdepends in part on experience and thespecific boat and motor combination.WARNINGEWM00830Improper mounting of the outboard mo-tor could result in hazardous conditionssuch as poor handling, loss of control, orfire hazards. Observe the following: For permanently mounted models, yourdealer or other person experienced inproper rigging should mount the motor.If you are mounting the motor yourself,you should be trained by an experi-enced person. For portable models, your dealer or oth-er person experienced in proper out-board motor mounting should showyou how to mount your motor.Mount the outboard motor on the center line(keel line) of the boat, and ensure that theboat itself is well balanced. Otherwise theboat will be hard to steer. For boats withouta keel or which are asymmetrical, consultyour dealer.EMU26920Mounting heightTo run your boat at optimum efficiency, thewater resistance (drag) of the boat and out-board motor must be made as little as possi-ble. The mounting height of the outboard1. Center line (keel line)ZMU017601