Operation; General; Component.systems; Safety.equipment - Four winns 348 vista Owner's Manual

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 "pre-cruise 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..A.booklet.listing.the.Federal.
equipment.requirements.is.included.in.the.owner's.
packet.or.is.available.through.your.local.U.S..Coast.
Guard.Station..Remember.that.these.laws.are.for.
your.protection.and.are.minimum.requirements..
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..
Examination." 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.passengers.
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.Auxiliary,.
Department.of.Natural.Resources.or.your.local.boat.
club.sponsor.courses.in.boat.handling,.including."rules.
of the road". Such courses are strongly recommend-
ed..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.certain.models,.
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!
NOTICE
Four Winns boats are not equipped with
a lightning protection system.

Operation

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