Malibu Boats 21 VLX, Owner'S Manual

Page: 50 / 309

2020 Malibu Boats LLC • Owner’s Manual • Page 36
Navigation markers serve as a means of identifying navigable routes, and indicate water hazards. Boaters
should become familiar with navigation markers and stay within marked boundaries and clear of hazards.
Night Running
Boats operating between sunset and sunrise (hours vary by state) must use navigational lights. Nighttime
operation, especially during bad weather or fog can be dangerous. All Rules of the Road apply at night, but it
is best to slow down and stay clear of all boats, regardless of who has right of way. Protect your night vision by
avoiding bright lights and have a passenger, if possible, help keep watch for other boats, water hazards and aids
to navigation. It is best to proceed slowly at night, as there is always the possibility of unlit boats, floating objects,
and fixed objects which will be very difficult to see in time to avoid if you are at planing speeds or above.
There are many light patterns on different types of boats and for boats performing various functions while
underway or at anchor. For most applications on recreational boats the following navigation light patterns are
applicable.
(NOTE: Information is included here that does not apply to Malibu boats. However, the information is included
here to assist Malibu operators in being aware of the navigational lights that may appear on other vessels you may
encounter.)
Figure 1
Motorboats less than 20 meters (65.62
feet) shall exhibit navigation lights as shown
in Figure 1. (Note: Two masthead lights are
optional for boats under 50 meters. Boats over
50 meters [164 feet] will display two masthead
lights.)
Figure 2
Motorboats of less than 12 meters (39
feet, 4 inches) in length, may show the lights in
either Figure 1 or Figure 2. Boats of less than
7 meters (23 feet) whose maximum speed
cannot exceed seven (7) knots may exhibit
an all-around white light, and, if practicable,
sidelights instead of the lights prescribed
above, in international waters only.
Figure 3
Sailboats and watercraft under oars:
Sailboats less than 20 meters (65.62 feet) may
exhibit the navigation lights shown in Figures 3
or 4.