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2 - G
ENERAL
I
NFORMATION
16
90-8M0077672 JUNE 2013
W
AVE
AND
W
AKE
J
UMPING
Operating recreational boats over waves and wake is a natural part
of boating. However, when this activity is done with sufficient speed
to force the boat hull partially or completely out of the water, certain
hazards arise, particularly when the boat enters the water.
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The primary concern is the boat changing direction while in the
midst of the jump. In such case, the landing may cause the boat to
veer violently in a new direction. Such a sharp change in direction
can cause occupants to be thrown out of their seats, or out of the
boat.
!
WARNING
Wave or wake jumping can cause serious injury or death from
occupants being thrown within or out of the boat. Avoid wave or
wake jumping whenever possible.
There is another less common hazardous result from allowing your
boat to launch off a wave or wake. If the bow of your boat pitches
down far enough while airborne, upon water contact it may
penetrate under the water surface and submarine for an instant.
This will bring the boat to a nearly instantaneous stop and can send
the occupants flying forward. The boat may also steer sharply to one
side.
I
MPACT
W
ITH
U
NDERWATER
H
AZARDS
IMPORTANT: Operating in shallow waters can severely damage the
boat or power package. Maintain a minimum safe speed when
operating the vessel in shallow waters or in areas with underwater
obstacles.
Reduce speed and proceed with caution whenever you drive a boat
in shallow water areas, or in areas where you suspect underwater
obstacles may exist which could be struck by the sterndrive or the
boat bottom. The most important thing you can do to help reduce
injury or impact damage from striking a floating or underwater object
is to control the boat speed. Under these conditions, boat speed
should be kept to a minimum planing speed 24 to 40 km/h
(15 to 25 MPH).
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Striking a floating or underwater object could result in an infinite
number of situations. Some of these situations could result in the
following:
•
Part of the sterndrive or the entire sterndrive could break
loose and cause serious injury or damage to the boat.