Owner`s manual

op e r a t I o n
3
3-18
DRIVING
YOUR BOAT
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR BOAT
Operating your boat requires skills
acquired through practice over a period
of time. Take the time to learn the basic
techniques well before attempting more
difficult maneuvers.
Boating with your new boat can be a
very enjoyable activity, providing you
with hours of pleasure. But it is es-
sential to familiarize yourself with the
operation of the boat to achieve the
skill necessary to enjoy boating safely.
Before operating this boat, read this
Owner’s Manual, the Operation Instruc-
tion Card, and all Warning and Caution
labels on the boat. Pay particular atten-
tion to the safety information in Chapter
1. This boat is designed to carry one
operator and up to nine passengers, as
long as the total weight of people does
not exceed 1800 lb. (816 kg). Never
have more than ten people in the boat.
LEARNING TO OPERATE
YOUR BOAT
Before boating, always perform the
Pre-Operation Checks listed on page
3-4. The short time spent checking the
machine’s condition will reward you
with added safety and a more reliable
boat.
Know and follow U.S. Coast Guard,
state, and local laws when operating
your boat.
Select a wide area to learn in, where
visibility is good and other boat traffic
islight.Keeptheproperdistancefrom
other boats and vehicles. Do not oper-
ate where people are swimming.
Always attach the engine stop switch
lanyard to your personal flotation
device before operating.
You and all other passengers must
always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-
approved personal flotation device
when riding in the boat. You should
consider wearing water shoes, eye
protection, gloves, and other protective
apparel. Water sports increase your risk
of injury from contact with your boat,
other vessels, docks, rocks, or coral.
A water-skier should wear protective
clothing. Severe internal injuries can
occur if water is forced into body cavi-
ties as a result of falling into the water
or while reboarding. Normal swimwear
does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into rectum or
vagina. The skier should wear a wetsuit
bottom or clothing that provides equiv-
alent protection. Such clothing includes
thick, tightly woven, sturdy, and snug
fitting apparel such as denim, but does
not include spandex or similar fabrics
like those used in bicycle shorts.
Grip the wheel firmly and keep both
feet on the deck when driving the boat.