Monterey Boats 378SE, Owner'S Manual

Page: 34 / 210

34
MONTEREY
BOATS
Operation
2.11 Water Skiing & Wakeboarding
Your boat could be equipped with an optional ski
tow pylon for water skiing and wakeboarding. If
you have never driven skiers before, you should
spend some hours as an observer and learn from
an experienced driver. If you are an experienced
driver, you should take some time to become familiar
with the boat and the way it handles before pulling a
skier. The driver should also know the skier’s ability
and drive accordingly.
Always use high quality tow ropes with attachment
loops when pulling wakeboarders or skiers and
only attach the tow rope to the ski tow fittings on
the transom, arch or wakeboard tower. Never use
mooring cleats or grab rails to pull skiers. They are
not designed for towing skiers and injury to skiers or
passengers and/or damage to the boat could result.
The tow rope should always be attached using the
attachment loops and never tied to the ski tow or
to any type of metal hook attached to the tow fit -
ting. Tied ski ropes are very difficult to remove and
metal hooks will damage the ski tow fitting and the
fiberglass around it. Metal hooks also can cause
injury to your skiers if the metal hook breaks under
the strain of the tow.
When attaching a tow rope using the attachment
loops, hold the attachment loop in one hand and
pull a length of rope on the handle side of the loop
through the loop, creating another 6” loop. Slide
the loop just created over the ski tow fitting and
pull the handle side of the rope to tighten the loop
around the tow fitting. This procedure will attach the
rope securely to the ski tow, be easy to remove and
will not come off if the skier or wakeboarder falls.
WARNING
THE SKI TOW PYLON IS DESIGNED FOR TOWING WATER
SPORTS DEVICES ONLY. DO NOT TOW MORE THAN ONE OR
TWO AVERAGE SIZED SKIERS OR WAKEBOARDERS AT A
TIME FROM THE PYLON. IMPROPER USE OR OVERLOADING
THE TOW PYLON MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PYLON.
The following safety precautions should be
observed while towing water skiers.
• Water ski only in safe areas, away from other
boats and swimmers, out of channels, and in
water free of underwater obstructions. The area
should be at least 5 feet deep, 3000 feet long
and have at least 100’ between each side of the
boat and any obstructions.
Common Hand Signals For Water Sports Activities
• Make sure that anyone who skis can swim. Do
not allow people who cannot swim to water ski.
• Be sure that the skier is wearing a proper life
jacket. A water skier is considered on board
the boat and a Coast Guard approved life jacket
is required. It is advisable and recommended
for a skier to wear a flotation device designed
to withstand the impact of hitting the water at
high speed.
• Make sure to inspect the ski equipment and tow
rope before each ski session. Never use equip-
ment that is damaged or with loose screws, torn
boots, severe corrosion or tears in the fabric.
You should also inspect the ski tow rope and
replace if it is frayed, has unnecessary knots
or damage. Never use a ski tow line that is
questionable.
• Always carry a second person on board to ob-
serve the skier or wakeboarder so that your full
attention can be given to the safe operation of
the boat. The operator should pay attention to
driving the boat and have the observer keep him
updated on the skier. Never ski after dark. It is
hazardous and illegal. Neither the boat opera-
tor or skier can see well enough to navigate at
skiing or wakeboarding speeds safely at night.