Safe Boating Courses; Water Sports; Water Sport Guidelines - Four winns 248 Vista Owner's Manual

Check with the appropriate state agency or the Coast
Guard Auxiliary for details.
I. Safe Boating Courses
The local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S.
Power Squadrons offer comprehensive safe boating
classes several times a year. You may contact the
Boat/U.S. Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT (2628) or,
in Virginia, 1-800-245-BOAT (2628) for a course
scheduled in your area. Also contact the U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron Flotilla for the
time and place of their next scheduled class.
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 air-
borne. Use boat only for appropriate water
sports. (See Preface for actual warning la-
bel.)
Water skiing, kneeboarding, or riding a towed, inflat-
able apparatus are some of the more popular water
sports. Taking part in any water sport requires in-
creased safety awareness by the participant 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 learn-
ing from an experienced driver. It is also important 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 ob-
serve 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 U.S. Coast Guard. Wearing a
properly designed PFD helps a stunned or un-
conscious person stay afloat.
Vista™ Owner's Manual
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3. Be considerate of others you share the water with.
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 (op-
posite 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.
8. Swim only in areas designated as safe for swimming.
These are usually marked with a swim area buoy (see
Figure B16). Do not swim alone or at night.
Figure B16: Swim Area Buoy
Rotating Propeller!
Rotating propeller can cut or sever causing seri-
ous injury or death. Shut engine off and remove
ignition key when anyone is swimming nearby.
(See Section B-3D.)
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. S t a y
at least 150 feet away from areas marked by diver
down float. See Figure B17.
Figure B17: Diver Down Float
Section B
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