PURSUIT OS 345, Owner'S Manual

Page: 85 / 144

Operation
10-11
Section 10
OS 385
rope, chain or turnbuckle in addition to
the winch cable. Additional straps may
be required across the beam of the boat.
If these types of straps are used, protect
your boat from chaffing or from the
straps “slapping” the gelcoat. Cover area
where straps are secured and twisting
the straps before they are secured will
help reduce the “slapping” affect. Your
dealer can provide instructions on how to
load, fasten and launch your boat.
Before Going out on the Highway
• Canvas Enclosures - must be removed
when trailering. Canvas enclosures will
be damaged, they are not designed to
withstand the extreme wind pressure
encountered while trailering. Remove
and properly store enclosures before
trailering.
• Tow Ball And Trailer Coupler - make
sure they are the same size and bolts
and nuts are tightly secured.
The coupler MUST BE completely over the
ball and the latching mechanism LOCKED
DOWN .
• Load Trailer Evenly - make sure load is
evenly distributed from front to rear, as
well as side to side and has the correct
distribution of weight on the hitch. Too
much weight on the hitch will cause the
rear of the tow vehicle to drag and may
make steering more difficult. Too little
weight on the hitch will cause the rig to
fishtail and will make controlling the tow
vehicle difficult. Contact your Pursuit
dealer or the trailer manufacturer for the
correct weight on the hitch for your
trailer.
• Safety Chains - attach crisscrossing
under the coupler to the frame of the tow
vehicle. If the ball breaks, the trailer
would follow in a straight line and pre-
vent the coupler from dragging on the
road. Make sure the trailer emergency
brake cable or chain is also installed to
the tow vehicle frame.
• Lights - make sure they are functioning
properly.
• Brakes – check on a level parking area;
roll forward and apply the brakes several
times at increasing speeds to determine
if the brakes on the tow vehicle and
trailer are working properly.
• Side View Mirrors - make sure the tow
vehicle mirrors are large enough to pro-
vide an unobstructed rear view on both
sides of the vehicle.
• Tires and Wheel Bearings – check
before getting on the road.
Make sure your tow vehicle and trailer are in
compliance with all state and local laws for
the area you will be trailering. Contact your
state motor vehicle bureau for laws govern-
ing the towing of trailers.
10.15 Water Skiing
Your Pursuit can be equipped for water ski-
ing. If you have never pulled skiers, you
should observe, learn and practice from an
experienced driver. If you are an experi-
enced driver, become familiar with the boat
and the way it handles before pulling a skier.
The driver should also know the ability of the
skiers and drive accordingly. 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 chan-
nels and in water free of underwater
obstructions and water ski only during
daylight hours.
• Make sure that anyone who skis can
swim. DO NOT allow people who cannot
swim to water ski.
• Make sure all skiers wear a proper life
jacket. A water skier is considered
onboard the boat and a Coast Guard
approved life jacket is required. A skier
should wear a flotation device designed
to withstand the impact of hitting the
water at high speed. A second person
must be onboard to observe the skier so
your attention can be directed to the safe
operation of the boat.
• Approach a skier in the water from the
downwind side and STOP THE ENGINE
and forward motion of the boat before
coming in close proximity to the skier.
• Give immediate attention to a fallen
skier. A fallen skier is very hard to see by
other boats and is extremely vulnerable.