Boating Manuals And Literature; Charts And Maps; Laws And Regulations; Boat Owner Registration - Four winns 248 Vista Owner's Manual

The United States Power Squadron also offers free
courses ranging from basic seamanship to celestial navi-
gation. For information, contact your local Power Squad-
ron, or write: U.S.P.S., P.O. Box 30423, Raleigh, NC
27622.
The Red Cross offers power boating and canoeing
classes. Contact: Director of Water Safety, American
National Red Cross, 17th & D Streets N.W., Washing-
ton, DC 20006.
The Canadian Power and Sail Squadron offers seaman-
ship courses. Information can be obtained by calling
1-800-268-3579 (Canada only).
B. Boating Manuals and Literature
A good source of information is the U.S. Coast Guard's
home study book called "The Skipper's Course". This
book may be purchased through: Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washing-
ton, DC 20402, Stock # 050-012-00159-6.
Another good source of boating information is Chapman's
"Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling". Also,
check the local library or bookstore for additional infor-
mation on boating.
C. Charts and Maps
U.S. nautical charts are sold throughout the country at
Governmental Printing Office stores and other agents.
A chart catalog is available by writing to: National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean
Survey, Rockville, MD 20852.
In addition, many federal agencies publish recreational
maps, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the
Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Ten-
nessee Valley Authority.
Addresses of all state boating agencies are listed in "A
Boater's Guide". For a free copy, write to: National Ma-
rine Manufacturers Association, 401 N. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60611.
Vista™ Owner's Manual
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D. Laws and Regulations
The U.S. Coast Guard is the authority of the waterways;
they are there to help the boating public. State boating
regulations are enforced by local authorities. You are
subject to marine traffic laws and "Rules of the Road" for
both federal and state waterways; you must stop if sig-
naled to do so by enforcement officers, and permit to be
boarded if asked.
There are many pamphlets, prepared by the Coast
Guard, available to you. These pamphlets explain "Rules
of the Road," signal lights, buoys, safety, international
and inland regulations and other information which goes
beyond the scope of this manual. For more information
contact your local U.S. Coast Guard Unit or call the Coast
Guard Boating Safety Hotline at 1-800-368-5647.
A - 12 BOAT OWNER REGISTRATION
Federal and state laws require that every boat equipped
with propulsion machinery of any type must be regis-
tered in the primary state of usage. Registration num-
bers and validation stickers must be displayed on the
boat according to regulations. In most states, this means
registration with the designated state agency. In a few
jurisdictions, the Coast Guard retains registration author-
ity. Your dealer will either supply registration forms or
tell you where they may be obtained. The registration
agency will issue you a certificate that must be carried
on board when the boat is in use. Some states require
additional registration when an out of state boat is used
within their boundaries.
Your boat has a hull identification number on the star-
board side of the hull. Figure A2 shows a typical identifi-
cation number. Use this hull identification number for reg-
istration and to identify your boat for warranty service.
Section A
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