Water Sports; Water Sport Guidelines; Water Skiing/Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding - Four winns 278 VISTA Owner's Manual

B - 4

WATER SPORTS

PERSONAL INJURY
Four Winns boats are not designed for and
®
should not be used for pulling parasails, kites,
gliders or any device which can become
airborne. Use boat only for appropriate water
sports. (See Preface for actual warning label).
Water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, or riding
a towed, inflatable apparatus are some of the more
popular water sports. Taking part in any water sport
requires increased safety awareness by the partici-
pant and the boat operator. If you have never pulled
someone behind your boat before, it is a good idea to
spend some hours as an observer, working with and
learning from an experienced driver. It is also impor-
tant to be aware of the skill and experience of the
person being pulled. Always have a second person
on board to observe the person in the water so the
driver can concentrate on operating the boat.
A. Water Sport Guidelines
Everyone participating in a water sport should observe
these guidelines:
1. Allow only capable swimmers to take part in any
water sport.
2. Always wear a personal floatation device (PFD)
approved by the US Coast Guard. Wearing
a properly designed PFD helps a stunned or
unconscious person stay afloat.
3. Be considerate of others with whom you share
the water.
4. Give immediate attention to a person who has
fallen. He or she is vulnerable in the water alone
and may not be seen by other boaters.
5. Approach a person in the water from the lee side
(opposite the direction of the wind). Turn off the
motor at least a boat length from the person.
6. Turn engine off and anchor before swimming.
7. Always participate in water sports in safe areas.
Stay away from other boats, beaches, restricted
areas, swimmers and heavily traveled waterways.
Boating Safety - Section B
8. Swim only in areas designated as safe for swim-
ming. These are usually marked with a swim area
buoy (see Figure B-15). Do not swim alone or at
night.
Figure B-15: Swim Area Buoy
Rotating Propeller!
Rotating propeller can cut or sever causing
serious injury or death. Shut engine off and
remove ignition key when anyone is swimming
nearby. (See Section B-D).
9. Do not allow anyone near the propeller(s), even
when the engine is off. Propeller blades are sharp
and can continue to turn even after the engine is
off. Stay at least 150 feet away from areas marked
by diver down float. See Figure B-16.
Figure B-16: Diver Down Float
10. Do not drive the 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 about
5 seconds.
B. Water Skiing/Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding
The popular sport of water skiing has brought a
special set of safety precautions to observe in boating.
The following guides help prevent accidents while
water skiing.
1. Water ski only in safe areas, away from other
boats and swimmers, out of channels, and in
water free of underwater obstructions.
Owner's Manual Page