Malibu Boats 21 VLX, Owner'S Manual

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2020 Malibu Boats LLC • Owner’s Manual • Page 40
Observers should:
• Confirm for the boat operator that it is “all clear” behind the boat prior to starting the engine.
• Watch the towed person.
• Be responsible for communication of the signals and status of the towed person to the boat driver.
• Notify the boat operator of status and changing conditions with the towed person, and inform the boat
driver of the towed person’s readiness to start, their desire to go faster or slower, or that they have fallen and
are in need of retrieval.
• Deploy the fallen skier flag when the towed person falls, if needed. In some states, it is required to raise the
“fallen skier” flag when the skier has fallen.
• Monitor the tow line to ensure that it does not become tangled, it does not become wrapped around anyone
in the boat, and it does not become wrapped around the towed person. Also monitor the tow line so that it
does not become tangled in the propeller. Notify the boat operator if any of these conditions are observed to
avoid potential injury.
• Remind the boat operator to shut off the engine when persons are on the swim platform or in the water near
the back of the boat.
Towed persons should:
• Wear a PFD.
• Not approach the back of the boat if the engine is running.
• Not become entangled in a tow line or wrap a tow line around any body part.
• Know signals to communicate with the observer and boat operator.
Additional Precautions for Towed Skier/Rider
• Wear wet suits or protective shorts when engaging in high energy skiing/riding to prevent abrasions,
hypothermia, and injuries to orifices (rectal and vaginal) from impact with the water surface.
• Inspect watersports equipment for wear, fraying, etc., before use. DO NOT use if they show signs of wear or
fraying. Ropes or watersport equipment tow points may break during use, causing you to coast into obstacles
or fall with the risk of being struck by another vessel.
• Inspect the boat tow points before use. If there is any evidence of corrosion or other damage, do not use until
it has been inspected by your authorized Malibu Boat dealer.
• NEVER attach ski/wakeboard rope to anything but approved pylons and wakeboard towers. Make sure tow
ropes are properly attached to the boat tow points.
• The skier/rider should verbally indicate that (s)he is safely clear of the boat prior to operator starting the boat
engine or putting the boat into gear.
• Slowly take up slack in tow lines before accelerating to watersports speeds. Jerking the slack out of a tow line
can cause high forces on the rope and towing equipment. This may cause the rope or equipment to break
and the rope to snap back at occupants of your boat and at the towed person.
• Never put your arm, head or any other part of your body through the handle/bridle of the ski or
wakeboarding line, nor wrap the line around any part of the body at any time. If you fall, the line will tighten
and forcefully constrict around your body part and may result in amputation.
• DO NOT ski near swimming areas, beaches, personal watercraft, or other vessels/boats.
• Never attempt land or dock starts. These activities will increase your risk of injury or death.
• DO NOT jump from a boat that is moving at any speed, nor enter or exit the water when the engine is running.
• DO NOT “back up” to anyone in the water, they will be in danger of hitting the spinning propeller which can
cause severe injury or death.