Safety information
17
Wakeboarding and water-
skiing
You can use the boat to tow a wakeboarder
or water-skier, using the tow pylon or the ski
tow hook provided.
It is the boat operator’s responsibility to be
alert to the safety of the wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier and others. Know and follow all state
and local regulations in effect for the waters
in which you will be operating.
The following are some important consider-
ations for minimizing risks while pulling a
wakeboarder or water-skier.
The wakeboarder or water-skier should
wear an approved PFD, preferably a bright-
ly colored one so boat operators can see
the person being pulled.
The wakeboarder or water-skier should
wear protective clothing. Severe internal in-
juries can occur if water is forced into body
cavities as a result of falling into the water
or while reboarding. Normal swimwear
does not adequately protect against force-
ful water entry into the rectum or vagina.
The person being pulled should wear a
wetsuit bottom or clothing that provides
equivalent protection. Such clothing in-
cludes thick, tightly woven, sturdy, and
snug-fitting apparel such as denim, but
does not include spandex or similar fab-
rics, like those used in bicycle shorts.
A second person should be on board as a
spotter to watch the wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier; in most states, it is required by
law. Let the person being pulled direct the
operator’s control of speed and direction
with hand signals. Be sure the seat is
locked in place (see page 66) before get-
ting underway.
When preparing to pull a wakeboarder or
water-skier, operate the boat at the slowest
possible speed until the boat is well away
from the person being pulled and slack in
the tow-rope is taken up. Make sure that
the rope is not looped around anything.
After checking that the wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier is ready and that there is no traffic
or other obstacles, apply enough throttle to
raise the person.
Make smooth, wide turns. The boat is ca-
pable of very sharp turns, which could ex-
ceed the abilities of the wakeboarder or
water-skier. Keep the person being towed
at least 50 m (164 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard tow-rope, away from
any potential hazard.
The operators of boats and other water-
craft may not be aware that you are pulling
a wakeboarder or water-skier. Together
with the spotter, pay attention to others
around you and cruise at safe speeds.
Be alert to the hazard of the tow-rope han-
dle snapping back at the boat when the
wakeboarder or water-skier falls or is un-
able to get up.
See pages 6 and 85 for wakeboard tower
use.
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