Four winns V458, Owner'S Manual

Page: 166 / 189

Owner’s Manual Page 164 Pre-Launch and Underway - Section S
• Station a person forward on the boat as a
lookout.
• Reduce your speed. From time to time, stop
engine and listen for fog signals.
• Sound the proper horn or fog bell at proper
intervals to warn other boaters.
• If there is any doubt in continuing boat move -
ment, anchor. Listen for other fog signals while
continuing to sound the proper fog horn or bell
for a boat at anchor.
C. Running Aground
To prevent boat damage, DO NOT use deck
hardware or water ski pylon for towing. Use a
commercial towing service.
Operating in shallow water can present a number of
hazards. Sand bars in narrow inlets are constantly
shifting, making it difficult to mark them with buoys.
Sometimes sand bars are indicated by waves as they
form into breakers when passing over sand bars. In
coastal areas, tides can change water levels by as
much as 30 feet. Check with local marinas or Coast
Guard stations for tide tables and current charts.
If your boat runs aground, first check persons aboard
for injury. Then check for damage to the boat. If the
drive unit strikes an underwater hazard, check for
boat and drive unit damage. If the engine vibrates
excessively after striking an underwater obstruction,
it may indicate a damaged propeller. If vibration is
noticeable, return to port slowly to prevent further
drive and engine damage from an out-of-balance
condition. Watch the temperature gauge to make
sure you do not overheat the engine.
If the boat is not taking on any water, it may be
possible to rock the boat by shifting the weight of the
passengers and gear and by raising the drive unit
while reversing the engine.
If you ground your boat on a sand bar, shut down the
engines and seek help from another boater or radio
for help. See your dealer as soon as possible, as
sand ingested in the engine cooling system can
cause major engine damage.
The present and forecasted weather conditions are of
primary consideration, but a threat of possible storms
should always be a concern. Observance of the
following information will help in your safety afloat if
storms do occur:
• Keep a watch on the horizon for approaching storm
indicators.
• Turn radio ON. Dial in local weather station and
monitor forecast. If your boat has a VHF radio,
check the weather channels.
• The best possible situation is to return to a safe port
if time allows.
• Close and secure all portals and hatches. Stow all
loose gear below deck and tie down any gear
required to remain on deck.
• Reduce speed as the seas build. Make sure all
passengers are wearing their PFDs.
• If you lose power, keep the boat headed into the
waves by rigging a sea anchor off the bow. If there
is no sea anchor on board, use a canvas bucket or
any object that will offer resistance.
• Radar reflectors (if installed on your boat) should be
18 inches diagonally and placed 12 feet above the
waterline.
B. Fog
Fog is a result of either warm surface or cold surface
conditions. You can judge the likelihood of fog forma-
tion by periodically measuring the air temperature and
dew point temperature. If the spread (difference)
between these two temperatures is small, you likely will
incur a fog situation. Remember the following guide -
lines:
• Turn on running lights.
• As fog sets in, take bearings and mark your position
on the chart while continuing to log your course and
speed.
• Make sure all persons aboard are wearing their
PFDs.
• If your boat has depth finding equipment, take
sounding and match them with soundings on your
charts.