The
Ser vice/Maintenance Log
provides a
record of maintenance wor k completed on your
boat, the date of completion and the engine
hour reading. This log will also help you identify
the frequency of routine maintenance wor k,
such as engine oil changes. If you should
decide to sell your boat, it will demonstrate to
prospective buyers that you ha ve done a good
job of taking care of your boat.
BOATING LAWS AND REGULATIONS
The U.S. Coast Guard is the authority of the
waterways; they are there to help the boating
public. State boating regulations are enforced
by local authorities. Y ou are subject to marine
traffic laws and “Rules of the Road” for both
federal and state w aterways; you must stop if
signaled to do so b y enforcement officer s, and
permit to be boarded if ask ed.
There are man y pamphlets, prepared b y the
Coast Guard, a vailable to you. These pamphlets
explain “Rules of the Road, ” signal lights,
buoys, safety, international and inland regula-
tions and other infor mation which goes be yond
the scope of this manual. F or more infor mation
contact your local U.S. Coast Guard Unit or call
the Coast Guard Boating Safety Hotline at 1-
800-368-5647.
BOAT OWNER REGISTRATION
Federal and state la ws require that e very boat
equipped with propulsion machiner y of any type
must be registered in the primar y state of
usage. Registration number s and validation
stickers must be displa yed on the boat accord-
ing to regulations. In most states, this means
registration with the designated state agency . In
a few jurisdictions, the Coast Guard retains reg-
istration authority. Your dealer will either supply
registration forms or tell you where the y may be
obtained. The registration agency will issue you
a certificate that must be car ried on board when
the boat is in use. Some states require addi-
tional registration when an out of state boat is
used within their boundaries.
Your boat has a hull identification number on
the starboard side of the hull.
Figure 1.2
shows
a typical identification number . Use this hull
identification number for registration and to
identify your boat for w arranty ser vice.
INSURANCE
In most states, the boat owner is legally respon-
sible for damages or injuries he or she causes,
even if someone else is operating the boat at
the time of the accident. Common sense dic-
tates that you car ry adequate per sonal liability
and property damage insurance on your boat,
just as you would on an automobile. Y ou should
also protect your in vestment by insuring your
boat against ph ysical damage or theft.
ACCIDENT REPORTING
The operator of the boat is responsible for filing
a report with the appropriate authorities. In gen-
eral, repor ts are necessar y for accidents
involving loss of life, injur y, or damage o ver
$500. In the case of accidents with repor
table
injuries or death, a for mal report is required
within 48 hour s. If only proper ty damage is
involved, a repor t must be made within ten
days. The 1994 Recreational Boating Act ma
y
impose a $1,000 civil fine for people who fail to
submit a boating accident repor t. Ask your
insurance agent for more infor mation.
If you see a distress signal, you must assume it
is a real emergency and render assistance
immediately. The master or per son in charge of
a boat is obligated b y law to pro vide assistance
to any individual in danger at sea. How ever, you
should not put your boat or cre w in a dangerous
situation which exceeds your capabilities or
those of your boat. The 1971 Boating Safety Act
grants protection to a Good Samaritan boater
offering good faith assistance, and absolves a
boater from an y civil liability arising from assis-
tance given.
1-6
HIN
(LOCATION MAY VARY,
HIN MAY BE LOCATED
ON STARBOARD HULL
SIDE)
WEL XX XXX J3 94
MODEL YEAR
MONTH/YEAR OF MANUFACTURING
SERIAL NUMBER
MODEL DESIGNATOR
MANUFACTURER'S I.D. CODE
FIGURE 1.2 HIN