Regal 3200 Bowrider, Owner'S Manual

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Rules Of The Road
2-3
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Sailboats; they have the right-of-way over power boats. However, if a
sailboat is using a prop to move forward, it is considered a powerboat
even if the sails are up.
•
Remember the unwritten “rule of tonnage”. Basically a smaller
tonnage vessel should take every effort to avoid close quarters with a
larger tonnage vessel. One way to accomplish this is to have a designated
human lookout to “eyeball” the horizon for any developing collision
course.
•
Use defensive driving skills on the waterway just as you do on the
roadway. The other vessel may not know the “rules of the road” Be
alert and ready to take immediate action.
•
If a collision course is unavoidable neither boat has the right of way.
Both boats must react to avoid an accident according to the rules of
the road.
Signals