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A - 1
GENERAL
Before.starting.the.boat,.become.familiar.with.all.of..
the.various.systems.and.related.operations..Be.sure..
all.necessary.safety.equipment.is.on-board..Know.the.
"Rules of the Road". Have an experienced operator
brief.you.on.the.general.operation.of.your.new.boat..
Perform a "PreCruise Systems Check". This manual .
is.a.part.of.your.boat's.equipment..Always.keep.it..
on.board.
A - 2
COMPONENT SYSTEMS
Before.you.can.really.enjoy.your.boat,.a.thorough.
understanding.of.its.systems.and.their.operation.is.
essential..This.manual.and.the.associated.manu-
facturers.information.are.included.in.the.owner's.
packet..This.information.is.provided.to.enhance.your.
knowledge.of.the.boat..Read.this.information.carefully.
After.becoming.familiar.with.the.boat.and.its.systems,.
reread.this.manual.and.other.material.provided.in.the.
owner's.packet..Maintenance.and.service.tips.are.
included.to.help.keep.the.boat.in.like-new.condition.
A - 3
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Besides.the.equipment.installed.on.the.boat.by.
Four.Winns,.certain.other.equipment.is.required.for.
passenger.safety..The."Boating.Basics,.A.Guide.to.
Responsible Boating", describes the Federal equip-
ment.requirements.and.is.included.in.the.owners'.
packet...These.Federal.requirements.may.also.be.
found.on.the.United.States.Coast.Guard's.website:.
www.uscgboating.org/safety..Remember.that.these.
laws.are.for.your.protection.and.are.minimum.require-
ments..Check.your.local.and.state.regulations,..
also..More.information.on.safety.equipment.is.provided..
in.Section.B.
Items.like.a.sea.anchor,.working.anchor,.extra.dock.
lines, flare pistol, a line permanently secured to your
ring.buoy,.etc..could.at.some.time.save.your.passen-
gers.lives,.or.save.your.boat.from.damage.
The.Coast.Guard.Auxiliary.offers.a."Courtesy.Examina-
tion." This inspection will confirm the boat is equipped
with.all.of.the.necessary.safety.equipment.
Operation - Section A
A - 4
PASSENGER SAFETY
You.are.responsible.for.the.safety.of.your.passen-
gers.as.well.as.for.their.behavior.while.aboard..Make.
sure:
1.. Each.passenger.is.properly.instructed.in.Personal. .
Flotation.Device.(PFD).use.and.keeps.one.within.
reach.in.case.of.emergency..All.non-swimmers.
and.children.should.wear.a.PFD.at.all.times.when.
underway.
2... Passengers.do.not.sit.on.gunwales,.open.decks,.
elevated.pedestal.seats.or.on.seat.backs.when..
the.boat.is.underway..This.could.cause.them.to.
be.thrown.overboard.during.a.sudden.maneuver.
3.. At.least.one.other.person.knows.how.to.operate..
the.boat.in.case.of.an.emergency.
A - 5
"RULES OF THE ROAD"
As.in.driving.an.automobile,.there.are.a.few.rules.that.
must.be.known.if.safe.boating.operation.is.to.be.
maintained..The.Coast.Guard,.Coast.Guard.Auxil-
iary,.Department.of.Natural.Resources.or.your.local.
boat.club.sponsor.courses.in.boat.handling,.including.
"rules of the road". Such courses are strongly
recommended..Books.on.this.subject.are.also.
available.from.local.libraries.
A - 6
LIGHTNING
When.boating,.it.is.important.to.be.aware.of.the.
weather.around.you..When.the.weather.changes.for.
the.worse,.DO.NOT.jeopardize.your.safety.by.trying.
to "ride out the storm". If possible, return to safe
harbor.and.dock.your.vessel.immediately.
.
If.caught.in.a.storm,.seek.shelter.inside.the.cabin.and.
wait.for.the.storm.to.pass..With.open.bow.models,.
suntops.and.campers.will.provide.some.protection,.
but.should.not.be.relied.on.if.you.are.able.to.return.to.
shore..Exercise.care.when.high.winds.are.present!
DO NOT swim or dangle legs or arms into the
water during a lightning storm. Stay out of the
water!
Operation
Owner's Manual Page
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