A RIB at high speed porpoises (pitches nose up and down). What is causing this and how is it corrected?

A. Porpoising is a sign of a damaged hull — stop immediately and return to shore

B. Trim the engine out (tilt away from hull) to raise the bow and stop the porpoising

C. Porpoising is caused by excessive bow-up trim at speed. Correct by: trimming the outboard in (engine tilt towards the hull); redistributing crew/weight forward; reducing speed until the vessel settles, then retrimming. Trim tabs (if fitted) can also be deployed

D. Porpoising is corrected by increasing speed to get further onto the plane

A. The kill cord is only required when travelling above 15 knots

B. If the driver is thrown from the helm, the cord pulls the kill switch stopping the engine — preventing the vessel continuing at speed unmanned (a "circle of death" where an uncontrolled powerboat circles at full throttle striking the crew in the water)

C. The kill cord prevents fuel surging at high speed

D. Kill cords are advisory only — they are not required by law for leisure powerboats

A. Check fuel and kill cord only — all other checks are annual service items

B. Fuel (level, no leaks, correct mix if 2-stroke); oil (4-stroke: check dipstick); engine mounting bolts tight; kill cord condition and function; propeller (no damage, cotter pin present); safety equipment (lifejackets, flares, VHF, bailer, paddle); kill cord attached before starting

C. Run the engine in the water for 10 minutes before departure — no pre-launch checks needed

D. Only check fuel level — outboard engines are self-maintaining