Four winns 318 VISTA, Owner'S Manual

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Owner’s Manual Page Operation - Section A
Running aground can cause serious
damage to a boat and associated
underwater gear. If the boat should become
grounded, distribute personal flotation
devices and inspect the boat for possible
damage. Thoroughly inspect the bilge area
for signs of leakage. An experienced
service facility should check the hull and
underwater gear at the first opportunity. DO
NOT continue to use the boat if the condi-
tion of the hull or underwater equipment is
questionable.
If.towing.or.being.towed.is.absolutely.necessary,.use.
the.strongest.lines.available,.and.attach.them.to.the.
bow.eyes.or.stern.eyes.only..Have.all.passengers.slip.
on.life.jackets.and.take.a.seat.in.the.cabin.or.other.
protected.area.
.
Lines can snap or other hardware can be
loosened or broken while towing. Under
certain conditions, this can cause severe
injury or fatality.
A - 11 BOATING EDUCATION
A. Boating Courses
Boating.education.classes.are.offered.throughout..
the.country..The.United.States.Coast.Guard.Auxiliary.
offers.free.courses.on.different.topics.usually.during.
the.off-season..The.most.popular.course.is.the.
“Boating Skills & Seamanship Course,” and informa -
tion.can.be.obtained.by.calling.1.800-336-BOAT.
(2628).or.by.visiting.their.website.at:.www.boatus.com/
courseline.
The.United.States.Power.Squadron.also.offers.free.
courses.ranging.from.basic.seamanship.to.celestial.
navigation..For.information,.contact.your.local.Power.
Squadron,.or.write:.USPS,.P.O..Box.30423,.Raleigh,.
NC.27622.or.visit.their.website.at:.www.usps.org.
The.World.Wide.Web.contains.many.websites.
devoted.to.boating.and.boating.safety..One.such.site.
is.www.discoverboating.com.which.contains.many.
informative.articles.and.website.links.for.both.the.new.
boater.as.well.as.the.experienced.boater.alike..
The.Canadian.Power.and.Sail.Squadron.offers.
seamanship.courses..Information.may.be.obtained..
by.visiting.their.website.at.www.cps-ecp.ca/.
B. Boating Manuals or Literature
A.good.source.of.information.is.the.US.Coast.Guard’s.
home study book called “The Skipper’s Course”. .
This.book.may.be.purchased.through.Superintendent.
of Documents, US Government Printing Office,
Washington,.DC.20402,.Stock.#.050-012-00159-6.
Another.good.source.of.boating.information.is..
Chapman’s.“Piloting,.Seamanship.and.Small.Boat.
Handling”. Also, check the local library or bookstore
for.additional.information.on.boating.
C. Charts and Maps
US.nautical.charts.are.sold.throughout.the.country.at.
Governmental Printing Office stores and other agents.
Chart.catalogs.are.available.by.visiting.the.National.
Oceanic.and.Atmospheric.Administration.website.at.
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/ccatalogs.
htm#state.
In.addition,.many.federal.agencies.publish.recre-
ational.maps,.including.the.US.Army.Corp.of.Engi-
neers,.the.Forest.Service,.the.National.Park.Service,.
and.the.Tennessee.Valley.Authority.
Addresses.of.all.state.boating.law.administration.
offices are found in the “Boating Basics, A Guide .
to Responsible Boating”, included in your owner’s
packet..Additional.copies.may.be.purchased.by.
contacting.Outdoor.Empire.Publishing.at.www.outdoor-
empire.com.
D. Laws and Regulations
The.US.Coast.Guard.is.the.authority.of.the.water-
ways;.they.are.there.to.help.the.boating.public..State.
boating.regulations.are.enforced.by.local.authorities..
You are subject to marine traffic laws and “Rules of
the Road” for both federal and state waterways; you
must stop if signaled to do so by enforcement officers,
and.permit.to.be.boarded.if.asked.
There.are.many.pamphlets,.prepared.by.the.US.Coast.
Guard,.available.to.you..These.pamphlets.explain.
“Rules of the Road,” signal lights, buoys, safety,
international.and.inland.regulations.and.other.informa-
tion.which.goes.beyond.the.scope.of.this.manual...
For.more.information.contact.your.local.US.Coast.