Baja Outlaw 23, Owner'S Manual

Page: 18 / 82

23 Outlaw
®
1.8
S
eCtiOn
1 • S
aFety
R
Speed changes you. TM.
D. sheltered waters
Maxmum speed: 15 knots (18 mph)
Maxmum wave heght: 0.5 meters (1.5 feet)
Boat use s lmted to small lakes, rvers and
canals.
your 23 Outlaw boat s Desgn Category C.
The wind speed and wave height specified as the upper
lmt for your category of boat does not mean that you
or your passengers can survve f your boat s exposed
to these condtons. It s only the most experenced
operators and crew that may be able to operate a boat
safely under these condtons. you must always be aware
of weather condtons and head for port or protected
waters in sufficient time to avoid being caught in high
wnds and rough water. Do not take chances!
gettng caught n severe weather s hazardous. Bad
weather and/or rough sea or water condtons can cause
an unsafe stuaton. Consult local weather nformaton, or
lsten to the nOaa weather reports for the latest weather
condtons or any mpendng deteroraton of the weather
before settng out and whle underway. The followng are
a few basc weather-related rules:
• Check the weather forecast and the water condtons
before leavng and whle underway.
• a sudden change n wnd drecton or speed or
an ncrease n wave heght ndcates deteroratng
weather.
• Have everyone wear a personal flotation device.
• If a storm approaches, mmedately seek a safe
harbor.
• If a storm hts, have everyone st n the cabn or on the
cockpt deck n the boat. head the bow nto the wnd
wth enough power to mantan slow headway.
• If you encounter fog, determne your poston, set a
safe course, slow down and alert other boats of your
presence wth a sound sgnal.
DANGER
!
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BOAT IN
SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS
DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR
GET TO SHORE BEFORE
THE WEATHER TURNS BAD
• If a lghtnng storm approaches, the safest acton s to
dock and dsembark. If you cannot return to shore,
have passengers go nsde the cabn and reman
there untl the storm passes.
• lghtnng seeks a ground when t strkes. The best
protecton s a properly grounded lghtnng rod placed
hgh enough over the deck to provde a protectve
umbrella over the hull. Dependng upon the
lkelhood of your beng n a lghtnng storm, consult
your dealer for nstallaton of a lghtnng rod. stay
clear of the lghtnng rod, all attached wrng and all
metal parts of the boat.
• stay out of the water durng a lghtnng storm. If
caught swmmng durng a storm, get back nto the
boat and reman there untl the storm passes.
13. c
harT
Y
our
c
ourse
To avod boatng n unsafe areas where there are
underwater obstructons, shallow water, unnavgable
condtons such as dangerous currents, and others, you
must chart a course . Ths means havng and usng
the natonal Oceanc and atmospherc admnstraton
(nOaa) charts for coastal waters, observng and
understandng all navgatonal ads, usng the knowledge
and gudance of experenced boaters, and beng aware
of the tde tmes where approprate.
If you are n an unfamlar area wthout knowledge of the
hazards, proceed very slowly and have someone watch
for hazards.
Let others know where you're going. A float plan
descrbes your ntended crusng course and tnerary,
boat descrpton, and your expected tme and date or
return. Give the float plan to a friend or relative, so they
can gve the nformaton to a natonal boat agency, lke
the U.s. Coast guard, n the event you fal to return.
Hitting an object in or under the water or boating in
dangerous currents can cause serious injury or death
to boat occupants.
You must know where the hazards are and avoid
them.
In uncharted waters, boat very slowly and post a
lookout.
!
WARNING