LESSON TWO

BEFORE YOU GET

UNDERWAY

Key Topics

Vessel’s capacity

Float plans

Fueling a vessel

Trailering

Vessel and engine maintenance

Vessel Capacity

Capacity plate is located near the operator’s position or on the transom.

Indicates maximum weight capacity or maximum number of people vessel can safely carry.

Federal law requires single-hull vessels have capacity plate if less than 20 feet in length.

Float Plan

For shorter daytime outings, at minimum you should:

Inform a responsible person of:

● Where you are boating and when you are returning

● Telephone number of local authorities to call if you are overdue

Contact this person again when you return or if you decide to extend your trip.

Float Plan (cont.)

For extended outings, leave float plan with someone. Float plan should:

Describe vessel, its number, size, make, horsepower, and engine type.

Lists where you are going, detailed route, and your expected return time.

Float Plan (cont.)

Give number of passengers, their names, addresses, and a contact in case of emergency.

Include description and license plate of tow vehicle and trailer.

Fueling Your Vessel

Never smoke or strike a match while fueling or when near fueling dock.

Try to fuel in daylight.

Check fuel lines for leaks; replace cracking hoses; tighten connections frequently.

Fueling Your Vessel (cont.)

Before and during fueling:

Turn off engines and electrical equipment.

Shut off fuel valves.

Extinguish all fires.

Close all windows, doors, and openings.

Before filling a tank or gas can:

Remove portable tanks from vessel.

Maintain solid contact between fuel intake pipe or tank and spout to prevent build up of static electricity.

Never fill tank to brim; leave room for gas to expand.

Fueling Your Vessel (cont.)

Fueling Your Vessel (cont.)

After fueling:

Open all windows and hatches.

If vessel equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes prior to starting your engine to help eliminate gas vapors in the bilge.

Put fill cap on tightly to prevent vapors from escaping.

Fueling Your Vessel (cont.)

Immediately wipe up any spilled gas.

Store gas on board in safety-approved storage tank, away from engine, in an area of good ventilation.

Before starting engine, sniff bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapors.

Fueling A PWC

Check entire fuel system for leaks. Check connections frequently.

Avoid spills when fueling in or near the water.

After fueling, sniff engine compartment for any evidence of gas fumes.

Do not tip a PWC to fill all the way up.

PWC Fuel Selector Switch

Off position used when PWC’s engine is turned off.

On position used while you are underway.

Reserve position used if you run out of fuel while underway.

Trailering Your Vessel

Most trailers connect to ball hitch on towing vehicle. If using vehicle bumper mounted hitch, do not exceed weight rating of bumper.

Coupler size must match the size of the ball hitch.

Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)

Tongue weight is the weight a loaded trailer places on the towing hitch.

Trailers should be equipped with two safety chains that are strong enough to control the trailer if the hitch or coupling breaks.

Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)

Retrieving your vessel back onto trailer:

Back trailer into water so that ⅔ of rollers or bunks are submerged. Set parking brake of towing vehicle and put it in park or first gear.

Move vessel onto trailer far enough so that winch line can be attached to bow eye of vessel.

Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)

Shut off engine and raise outboard or stern drive.

Tow vessel out of water and off the ramp well out of way of others.

While at the landing, remove and dispose of all weeds from vessel and trailer to help prevent spread of aquatic nuisance plants and animals.

Secure items inside vessel.

Reattach tie-downs and plug in trailer lights.

Engine Maintenance

Keep engine well tuned.

Check oil and fluid levels before every outing.

Change oil according to the owner’s manual

Make sure battery connections are tight, clean, and free of corrosion. To clean battery terminals, disconnect the terminals and remove corrosion with a wire brush.

Engine Maintenance (cont.)

If battery is weak when you start the engine, recharge it.

Keep exterior of engine clean.

Check engine for anything that requires tightening, repairing, or replacing.

Never use automotive electrical parts; use marine parts only.