T - 3 Loading Passengers And Gear - Four winns 248 Vista Owner's Manual

T - 3 LOADING PASSENGERS AND GEAR
When loading your boat, remember to distribute the load
evenly. Keep the load low and do not overload. On
certain Vista™ models a capacity plate affixed to your
boat states the maximum load capacity. The plate shows
in pounds, the amount of persons and gear that the
boat will safely handle under normal conditions. U. S.
Coast Guard regulations establishes these load capac-
ity ratings. Position passengers and gear so that the
load is balanced.
NOTICE
The NMMA Yacht Certification rating (indicated
by a yacht certification plate - see Preface page
5) places the responsibility on the captain to
make the determination as to the appropriate
load, load placement and number of passen-
gers permitted aboard the vessel.
When loading, always step into the boat, never board
by jumping. Have someone on the dock pass your gear
aboard. Secure all gear firmly so it doesn't move or
interfere with operation of the boat. Passengers should
board the boat one-at-a-time and be seated.
IMPORTANT: Passengers are prohibited from riding on
the bow with feet hanging over the side or ride while
sitting on the stern, gunwales or seatbacks. The Coast
Guard considers these acts to be negligent or grossly
negligent operation. They are prohibited by law because
falls from moving boats are a major cause of fatal recre-
ational boating accidents.
IMPORTANT: The presence of the capacity plate does
not relieve the boat operator from the responsibility of
using common sense or sound judgment. Turbulent
waters and adverse weather conditions will reduce the
maximum load capacity rating of the boat.
T - 4 STARTING PROCEDURES
The operation and maintenance manual supplied with
your engine provides pre-start, starting and cold-start-
ing instructions. The following information is merely a
guide and not intended to explain in detail all starting
procedures and instructions. Refer to your engine
owner's manual.
Vista™ Owner's Manual
™
A. Preliminary Checks
1. Secure boat to the dock before attempting to start
engine. The boat should be kept secure until the
engine is running and warmed up.
2. Operate the bilge pump until the flow of water stops.
3. Make sure the throttle is in the neutral position and
stern drive or outboard is lowered into water.
4. Make sure passengers seated in the bow area do
not obstruct the driver's vision.
B. Starting
To prevent excessive exposure and reduce the
possibility of carbon monoxide accumulation
in the cockpit areas of the boat, the operator
should provide adequate ventilation in each of
these areas. Utilize hatches, doors, windows
and side vents to increase air movement. See
Section B-2 for information about the dangers
of Carbon Monoxide.
Notice: Additional starting information is located in Sec-
tion A.
1. Check all electrical systems and navigation lights.
2. If your boat is equipped with a battery selector
switch, turn the battery switch to 1, 2, or BOTH or
ON or EMERGENCY START ONLY position (de-
pending on which model you have. )
3. Attach the ignition interrupt lanyards securely to
your body (if applicable for your model). In the event
that you move away from the helm area and be-
yond the length of the lanyard, the engine will be
turned off.
4. If your boat has fuel injection, turn the key to start
the engine. Engine will not turn over if throttle is not
in the neutral position.
If your boat does not have fuel injection, depress
the engine warm-up button to advance the throttle
several times and leave it in the SLOW/START po-
sition. This will actuate the carburetor accelerator
pump and feed fuel to the engine. Turn ignition key
to START position.
Section T
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