Technical information

19
WATER SKIER DOWN
When engaging in water skiing or similar activities the boat operator should
always keep a fallen or down skier on the operator's side of the boat while
returning to attend to the skier. The operator should never back up to the
skier or anyone in the water.
A boat operator should never drive his boat directly behind a water skier. At
25 miles per hour the boat will overtake a fallen skier who was 200 feet in
front in 5 seconds.
Courtesy and consideration for others is essential in water skiing. When
skiing make sure your wake is not causing problems for fishermen and other
boatmen.
CTS/HPP MODELS: Your boat is designed to give you quick acceleration with
a minimum of time spent in the bow-up transitional planeing off condition.
Planeing your boat is most easily accomplished by trimming the engine fully
"under" or "in." Moderate to maximum throttle may be required depending
on the engine height and propeller. However, once on plane the engine
should be trimmed out a little to avoid a bow down condition called
"plowing." Plowing can cause "bow steering" or "over-steering" and
inefficiently consumes horsepower. In this condition, if attempting to turn
or encountering a diagonal moderate wake, a more abrupt turn than
intended may result.
Safe Operating Speed
The maneuvering speed of your boat is the maximum speed at which you
can make sudden turns without risking loss of control. This speed obviously
varies depending on wind and waves. Some boats display a warning advising
that maneuverability above a given speed is limited. This posted speed is
based on standardized industry tests on calm water. There are minimum
safe speeds for certain conditions as well, such as to maintain headway in a
crosswind or to keep the bow up so waves don't break over it. A little
prudent experimentation noting the safe speeds under various conditions
will serve you well in the future. When encountering rough water or any
adverse condition, adjust your speed to the safe speed you have
predetermined. Beware of swimmers, divers, submerged obstacles and
The engine must be turned off when anyone is in the water near the stern (near
the propeller), including when passengers are boarding from or de-boarding into
the water. Shifting to neutral is not sufficient.
Avoid possible serious injury or death. Adjust engine to an intermediate trim
position as soon as boat is on plane to avoid possible ejection due to boat spin-
out. Do not attempt to turn boat when engine is trimmed extremely under or in.