Sea-doo Utopia, Operator'S Manual

Page: 23 / 116

SAFETY INFORMATION 21
PASSING
Give right of way to other craft and keep
clear.
Navigation System
Navigational aids, such as signs or
buoys, can help you identify safe wa-
ters. Buoys will indicate whether you
should keep to the right (starboard) or
to the left (port) of the buoy or to which
channel you can continue. They may
also indicate whether you are entering
a restricted or controlled area such as
a no wake or speed zone. They may
also indicate hazards or pertinent boat-
ing information. Markers may be locat-
ed on shore or on the water. They can
also indicate speed limits, no power
craft or boating, anchorage and other
useful information. (The shape of each
type of marker will provide assistance).
Make sure you know and understand
the navigation system applicable to the
waterways where you intend to use the
boat.
Collision Avoidance
– Do not decrease throttle when try-
ing to steer away from objects. You
need throttle to steer.
– Always keep a constant lookout for
other water users, other craft or ob-
jects, especially when turning. Be
alert for conditions that may limit
your visibility or block your vision of
others.
– Respect the rights of other recre-
ationists and/or bystanders and al-
ways keep a safe distance from all
other craft, people and objects.
– Do not wake or wave jump, ride the
surf line or attempt to spray or
splash others with your boat. You
may misjudge the ability of the boat
or your own driving skills and strike
a craft or person.
– This boat has the capability of turn-
ing more sharply than other boats.
However, unless in an emergency,
do not negotiate sharp, high speed
turns. Such maneuvers make it hard
for others to avoid you or under-
stand where you are going. Also,
you and/or your passenger(s) could
be thrown from the boat.
– Like any other boat, this boat has no
brake. Stopping distance will vary
depending on initial speed, load,
wind, and water conditions. Prac-
tice stopping and docking in a safe,
traffic free area to have an idea of
how long it will take to stop the boat
under varying conditions.
– Maintaining or increasing speed may
be necessary to avoid a collision.
Safe Riding
– Always keep in mind that as the
throttle lever is returned to idle po-
sition, less directional control is
available, and when the engine is
off, directional control is lost. You
need throttle to steer.
– While your boat has the capacity of
operating at high speeds, it is strong-
ly recommended that high speed op-
eration only be applied when ideal
conditions exist and are permitted.
Higher speed operation requires a
higher degree of skill and increases
the risk of severe injuries.
– In shallow water, proceed with cau-
tion and at very low speeds. Ground-
ing or abrupt stops may result in in-
jury. Debris may also be picked up
and be thrown rearward by the jet
pump onto people or property.
– Do not use the boat’s reverse to
stop. You or your passenger(s)
could be violently ejected forward
or even off the boat onto the hazard.
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