If an inboard/outboard runs aground, what should you do?

• A. Stop engine and lift the outdrive
• B. Throttle up to free
• C. Continue and back up
• D. Dock immediately

Answer: (A)

When a boat with an inboard/outboard runs aground, the priority is to minimize damage and free the vessel quickly. The best course is to stop the engine and lift the outdrive. Stopping the engine prevents the prop from spinning against the bottom, reducing the risk of propeller, lower-unit, and shaft damage and avoiding water intake or cooling issues. Lifting the outdrive reduces drag and keeps the propeller out of the bottom, making it easier to free the boat without causing further harm. Once you’re afloat, you can restart and proceed carefully. The other options aren’t effective: throttling up to free digs the prop into the bottom and can cause more damage; continuing and backing up while still grounded can tear the drive or hull; docking immediately doesn’t address the immediate need to free the boat and could lead to a collision.