OPERATION
21
Load gear after you are aboard. Carrying gear while boarding can cause you to lose
balance.
Distribute weight evenly.
Secure that the crew do not sit on the upper side of the
boat (Gunwale). There is a danger of capsize and falling
overboard.
Instruct passengers where to sit during on-plane
operation to reduce possibility of falling overboard during
high speed manoeuvres.
If the gear is not immediately needed, stow it in secure
area.
Safety gear must be immediately accessible at all times.
Children and non-swimmers must wear personal flotation
device at all times when aboard. All passengers and crew
should wear them since an unworn PFD is often useless
in an emergency. The law requires that PFDs, if not worn, must be readily accessible, that
is, removed from storage bags and unbuckled. Throw able device must be readily available,
that is, right at hand. The operator is responsible for instructing everyone aboard on their
location and use. The best precaution is the wear a PFD when boating.
STARTING
CAUTION!
Turn on the engine always on neutral. Starting with a gear could be dangerous and could
cause the crew to fall overboard, injury of the crew or damaging the boat.
Your engine should be equipped with a CE certification mark which declares fulfilling
emission levels. It should also be equipped with a protection against turning on the engine
when a gear is in. Check if your engine meets these criteria.
STOPPING
CAUTION!
Turn off engine at idle speed. Racing the engine before switching off can draw water into
the engine through the exhaust, causing internal damage.
If the boat is equipped with an emergency stop switch, wear the lanyard at all times when
operating the boat but use it to stop only in an emergency. Do not use it to shut off the
engine during normal operation.
SHIFTING
CAUTION!
Pause in neutral while shifting, wait for boat to lose headway, and then shift quickly. Easing into
gear can damage transmission.
Shift to neutral and allow boat to lose almost all headway before shifting into forward or
reverse.
Reverse gear acts as a braking mechanism. Use with caution. Sudden slowing down of
forward motion may cause following wave to flow on board.
Become thoroughly familiar with the boat´s movement response to usage of the controls.
(See Systems – controls.)
