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! WARNING !
DO NOT USE HANDS OR FEET TO FEND YOUR BOAT FROM A DOCK.
YOUR BOATS WEIGHT COUPLED WITH FORWARD MOMENTUM COULD
CAUSE INJURY TO A LIMB CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BOAT AND A DOCK.
REMEMBER TO TAKE IT SLOW.
Watch the stern when you turn. When you turn the steering wheel, the stern responds first by swing-
ing in the opposite direction of the bow. When you are leaving the dock or trying to avoid an object
in the water, this swing will be critical. Always give yourself plenty of room to make a turn. You
should also slow the speed of your boat while turning. Never make sharp, fast turns because you can
easily endanger your passengers or lose control of your boat.
When making tight turns, trim engine down for better handling. Since both the thrust and steering
are at the stern of the boat, the stern pushes away from the direction of the turn. The bow follows a
smaller turning radius than the stern.
Your Azure boat may be equipped with one of two steering systems:
1. Mechanical system: With this system the steering wheel connects to a cable which transfers
movement to the engine.
2. Hydraulic system: With this system the steering wheel movement pumps hydraulic fluid through
lines to a cylinder which transfers movement to the engine.
BOAT SPEED
The maximum speed at which you can make sudden turns without losing control of your boat is the
maneuvering speed of your boat. How fast or slow you move depends on wind, waves, weather
conditions, other boat traffic and the boat drivers experience. When you encounter a potentially
hazardous situation, adjust your boat speed accordingly.
Pace your speed so that you have enough time to respond to any possible emergency. Never drive
your boat directly behind a water skier in case the skier falls down. Your boat at 25 MPH will travel
more than 35 feet per second. If a boat 200 feet in front of you suddenly stops, your boat at 25 MPH
will strike the stopped boat in less than 6 seconds.
GENERAL NAVIGATION RULES
Cross waves at right angles. Head on 90 degree angle.
When caught in heavy waves, head either directly into the waves or at a slight angle. Reduce your
speed, but maintain enough power to move your boat safely.
When meeting a boat head on, keep to the right whenever possible.
When two boats cross, the boat to the starboard (right) side has the right of way.
When passing another boat, the boat being passed has the right of way. However, the boat being
passed is asked to maintain the same direction and speed to allow the passing boat by safely. Please
keep in mind, sailboats and windsurfers always have the right away.
DOCKING
Always approach the dock slowly. If possible, come in against the wind or current depending on
which is stronger. As the boat nears the dock, slowly swing parallel to it. Use caution if the wind or
current is from your stern. Approach slowly at a slight angle with engine in slow reverse.
Tie up on the down wind side of the dock. Use fenders over the side between the boat and the dock
to keep your boat from being damaged.
Attach tie down lines to deck cleats or mooring eyes only. Do not attach lines to other parts of the
boat, such as furniture, seat poles, table poles or bimini frame supports.
Docking/Mooring Tie Down:
An eye spliced into the end of the line provides a secure tie down to a deck cleat.
Another convenient method of making a tie down is to an open cleat.
! WARNING !
YOU CANNOT STOP A BOAT AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN AN AUTOMOBILE
BECAUSE A BOAT DOES NOT HAVE BRAKES.
