Polaris 2003 Freedom, Owner'S Safety And Maintenance Manual

Page: 73 / 114

71
OPERATION
Operating With Passenger(s)
Polaris watercraft are designed to carry
an operator and up to three passengers,
depending on the model. Refer the
the capacity decal on your craft
and the specifications beginning
on page 104 to determine your
boat’s rider capacity. Never exceed
the stated capacity for your
vehicle.
When more than one person is
riding, the watercraft handles differently, which means that the
operator must have enough prior riding experience to handle the
watercraft with one or more passengers aboard. The operator should be
skilled in operation and maneuvers before carrying any passenger.
All passengers should read the
owner’s manual and follow all
safety warnings. Passengers
must wear an approved personal
flotation device and other
recommended safety gear. They
should be good swimmers and
they should be in good physical condition, as reboarding in deep water
can be strenuous.
A passenger should firmly hang on to the operator’s PFD or the seat
strap and keep both feet on the footwell pads in the gunnel.
The operator should make sure any passenger is properly seated and
holding on before accelerating. The operator should also communicate
sudden maneuvers to a passenger in advance to prevent an ejection
from the craft.
Passengers should sit behind the operator and face toward the bow of
the watercraft. A passenger riding as a spotter in towing situations
should hold on to the rear grab handle.
No person should operate or ride on a watercraft unless both feet reach
the footrests when sitting on (straddling) the seat.
Overloading a watercraft will significantly reduce vehicle stability
and control, which could result in an accident and lead to severe
injury or death. Never exceed the load capacity for the watercraft.
WARNING