Four winns SL series, Owner'S Manual

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Owner’s Manual Page 34 Boating Safety - Section B
F. Operation By Minors
Minors should always be supervised by an adult
whenever operating a boat. Many states have laws re-
garding the minimum age and licensing requirements
of minors. Be sure to check local laws or contact the
state boating authorities for information.
G. “Rules of the Road”
As a responsible boater, you must comply with the
“Rules of the Road,” the marine traffic laws enforced
by the US Coast Guard. Navigating a boat is much
the same as driving an automobile. Operating either
one responsibly means complying with a set of rules
intended to prevent accidents. Just as you assume
other car drivers know what they are doing, other
boaters assume you know what you are doing. Infor-
mation regarding navigational rules and the “Rules of
the Road” are discussed in further detail in C-1 & C-2
of the next section.
H. Voluntary Inspections
State boating officials in many states or the US Coast
Guard Auxiliaries offer courtesy inspections to check
out your craft. They will check for compliance with
safety standards and required safety equipment. You
may voluntarily consent to one of these inspections,
and you are allowed to make corrections without
prosecution. Check with the appropriate state agency
or the Coast Guard Auxiliary for details.
I. Safe Boating Courses
The local US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US
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) for
a course scheduled in your area. Also contact the US
Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron Flotilla for
the time and place of their next scheduled class.
J. Anchoring
The weight of the anchor and diameter of anchor line
should be governed by the size and weight of your
boat. Keep anchor secure while underway to pre vent
damage or injury due to sudden shifting in the boat’s
attitude.
Use two or more anchors if anchoring overnight or for
extended periods. If not using two anchors, make cer-
tain there is sufficient clearance for your boat to swing
in a full circle to prevent damage in case of shifting
winds.
Make certain you have enough anchor line (or scope)
for the depth of water. Your anchor line should be 6 to
7 times the depth of water anchored in. For example,
if you are in 20 feet of water, use 120 to 140 feet of
anchor line.
Secure anchor line to bow eye or deck cleat.
Never tie anchor line to a rail, rail fitting or
other hardware not designed to support this
stress.
To drop anchor:
Approach your selected anchoring site from downwind
and come to a dead stop over the spot where you
want to drop anchor. Lower the anchor manually.
Maneuver the boat slowly backwards until length of
anchor line is 6 or 7 times the depth of the water.
Fasten the anchor line around the bow eye or deck
cleat. Anchor flukes should dig in and catch. Watch for
anchor drag by check ing shoreline landmarks at the
time the anchor is dropped and one-half hour later.
If the boat has drifted away from these refer ence
marks, the anchor is dragging and must be reset.
To weigh anchor:
Start the engine running before pulling in anchor.
Slowly maneuver the boat forward to reduce ten-
sion on the line and make retrieval of the anchor line
easier.
Raise the anchor manually. Properly stow anchor
and anchor line.
Always be sure to raise and secure the anchor
prior to operating your boat. Failure to raise
and secure anchor before getting underway
could result in severe injury or damage to boat
from rebounding anchor.
If the anchor becomes stuck, attach the vertical line
to the mooring cleat. Wave action on the bow may lift
flukes from the bottom and free the anchor.