An operator asked on how to use the Alpha gear:

>>>

Gears are controlled by buttons in front of the pilot seat

Alpha is blue in the centre of the row closest to the seat
Beta is red just right of centre of the row closest to the seat

>>>

Easiest engine start is both gears off and throttle at least part way up
Once moving throttle up to full 100%
Then switch on alpha gear

>>>

To go into Beta only gear
Get into alpha only as above
Give a moment to build up speed
Hit the Beta gear to on
Quickly hit Alpha to off

>>>

If you want full efficient both gears
Get into alpha only as above
Give a moment to build up speed
Hit the Beta gear to on

Fraser is a wonderful starter boat.

After a few missions when you have more cash or technology consider the development cycle that goes to the McKenzie

BBW McKenzie
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2418031165


Phase 1
The main changes are the 2 x small engines to 2 x medium engines, finally having doors/hatches to make it possible to access the lower deck, a medical bed in the cabin where the bed used to be and ship mounted fire fighting with a fluid turret with a manual hose bypass.

Phase 2+
In play through by the author as more money/tech was available more systems were added. "Good ol' Kenzie" was put on Steam as sequential phases.

Eventually with enough money/tech you can spawn the BBW Columbia

After some decent profit gaming you can up size to the BBW Yukon. With the parcel mod and arctic run you can get in big money. Yukon uses 2 x Large engines which are now below deck to have a large flat stern deck for bulky cargo.

These series were were all built with similar concepts and familiar operator layouts.

The workshop list of my boats has all these at:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2422878408

2023 07 23
I came back to Stormworks. Found that somewhere along the line the devs made adjustments to the prices of items and what was available for the Classic start. The Fraser originally cost $13,847 which left a bit for fuel. The new cost calculated at just over the allowed $15,000 budget and that with the removal of the now unavailable electric radiators. (Annoying scowl at devs).

So...

I put in what radiators are allowed. They do work. Max speed high rpm will eventually raise the engine temp to when the safety systems in my engine controller will shut the engine down to cool before the engines catch fire.

Blocks were trimmed, lower hull window placeholders for doors changed to blocks and tweaks to get the price down.

Was able to restore the near 3,000 L fuel capacity.

Apparently the fuel in the vehicle when it spawns no longer costs money... so that helped.

Added some bump stops where you need to turns of the side decks, like the cabin access and bow curve. These will reduce unwanted falls.

Rope anchors adjusted.

Weight blocks tweaked to better level the boat at spawn.

A handheld transponder locator was added. It is $200 and though I don't use them it was asked about and may help. The better vehicle block locator isn't unlocked in "Classic" game start so its just not available for a starter boat.