1. Before You Get Underway
Chapter Two
Before You Get Underway

2. Key Topics Boat’s Capacity Float Plans
Fuel Your Vessel Safely and Fueling a PWC
Trailering / Courtesy on the Boat Ramp
Vessel Maintenance and Engine Maintenance
Lines and Knots
Preventing Theft

3. Objectives be able to locate and understand a boat’s capacity plate.
You should …
be able to locate and understand a boat’s capacity plate.
know how to file a proper float plan.
be able to fuel a vessel safely.
be able to launch and retrieve a vessel from a trailer safely and courteously.
know the basics of vessel and engine maintenance.

4. Boat Capacity
Capacity plate is located near the operator’s position or on the transom.
Indicates maximum weight capacity and/or maximum number of people the boat can carry safely in good weather.
Federal law requires single- hull boats have a capacity plate if less than 20 feet in length.

5. Boat Capacity (cont.)
Recommended capacity for PWCs and sailboats is found in the owner’s manual and on manufacturer’s warning decal.
Vessels with no capacity plate
On outboard powerboats capacity plate also displays recommended maximum horsepower rating.
To be certified by National Marine Manufacturers Association, boats less than 26 feet must have a capacity plate.
Number of people = vessel length (ft.) X vessel width (ft.) 15

6. Float Plan Inform a responsible person of:
For short 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 when you return or if you decide to extend your trip.

7. Float Plan (cont.)
For extended outings, leave a
float plan with someone that:
Describes vessel, its number, size, make, horsepower, and engine type.
Includes description and license plate of tow vehicle and trailer.
Gives passenger names, addresses, and an emergency contact.
Lists destination, route, departure time, and expected return time.
Gives phone number of local authorities.

8. Fueling Your Vessel … Safely
Before beginning to fuel:
Tie the boat securely to the fuel dock.
Ask passengers to leave boat and go onto dock.
Don’t allow anyone to smoke or strike a match.
Check to see that fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents are in good condition.

9. Fueling Your Vessel (cont.)
Turn off anything that might cause a spark—engines, fans, or electrical equipment.
Shut off fuel valves and extinguish all open flames.
Close all windows, ports, doors, and openings.
Remove portable fuel tanks from boat and fill them on the dock.
Make sure that fire extinguisher is within reach.

10. Fueling Your Vessel (cont.)
While filling the fuel tank:
Keep nozzle of fuel-pump hose in solid contact with tank opening to prevent producing a static spark.
Use caution and fill tank slowly to avoid spilling fuel into boat’s bilge or into water.
Never fill tank to brim—leave room for fuel to expand.

11. Fueling Your Vessel (cont.)
After fueling:
Put fill cap on tightly to prevent vapors from escaping.
Wipe up any spilled fuel and properly dispose of used paper towels or rags on shore.
Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.

12. Fueling Your Vessel (cont.)
If boat is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes before starting your engine to help eliminate fuel vapors in the bilge.
Before starting engine, sniff the bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapors.
Start engine and reload passengers.

13. Fueling a PWC
Check entire fuel system for leaks and inspect fuel system connections frequently.
Avoid spills when fueling in or near the water.
Do not tip the PWC to fill all the way up.
After fueling, sniff engine compartment for any evidence of gas fumes.

14. PWC Fuel Selector Switch
Off position is used when the PWC’s engine is turned off.
On position is used while you are underway.
Reserve position is used if you run out of fuel while underway.

15. Trailering Your Vessel
Choose the Right Trailer & Vehicle To Tow Your Vessel
The trailer and towing vehicle should be designed to fit your vessel.
Use the size of vessel to determine dimensions of trailer needed.
Weight of the vessel, engine, and gear should not exceed 90% of trailer’s recommended load capacity.
Make sure towing vehicle is rated to tow the combined weight of vessel, motor, and trailer.

16. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
The towing hitch must be appropriate for the loaded trailer.
The coupler on a trailer connects 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.

17. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Tongue weight is the weight a loaded trailer places on the towing hitch. Should be about 10% of combined weight of vessel and trailer.
 Two strong safety chains should be crisscrossed to support trailer’s coupler if it becomes disconnected from towing vehicle.

18. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Before Leaving Home
Secure vessel and gear.
Secure all gear in vessel firmly and arrange it so that weight is evenly distributed.
Secure vessel to trailer with several tie- down straps and/or safety lines. Use extra straps.
Put engine or drive unit in raised position and secure it.
Attach safety chains between trailer and towing vehicle, crisscrossing them under trailer tongue.

19. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Inspect and maintain trailering equipment.
Check pressure of tires on towing vehicle and trailer. Make sure you have good spares for both.
Tighten the lug bolts/bolts on
wheels of towing vehicle and
trailer and grease wheel
bearings.
Make sure all lights and brakes
on towing vehicle and trailer work properly.
Examine tie-down straps, lines, winch, safety chains, and hitch for signs of wear.

20. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
On the Road With a Trailer
Drive cautiously.
Drive at moderate speeds and avoid sudden maneuvers.
On long trips, pull over every hour or so to check vehicle, trailer, tires, trailer coupling, and gear.
Allow for added length and weight of trailer.
Make wider turns at corners and curves.
Allow extra time and distance for stopping and for passing other vehicles.

21. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Launching Your Vessel from a Trailer
Prepare to launch well away from the boat ramp.
Transfer all equipment and supplies to vessel.
Disconnect trailer lights from towing vehicle.
Remove all tie-down straps before backing down ramp but leave trailer winch line securely attached to vessel.
Make sure vessel’s drain plug is in place.
Tie a rope to vessel’s bow to use to control vessel if necessary during launching.

22. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Back trailered vessel into water far enough so that lower unit of engine can be lowered and submerged while vessel is still on trailer.
Set parking brake on towing vehicle.
Lower engine or outdrive, and start engine. If vessel is still on trailer and you have engine trouble, you can retrieve vessel easily.
Once engine is warmed up, back trailer into water until vessel floats—undo winch line, put vessel engine in reverse, and back slowly off trailer.

23. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Retrieving Your Vessel
Back trailer into water so that ⅔ of rollers or bunks are submerged. Set parking brake of towing vehicle, put it in park or first gear.
Move vessel onto trailer far enough so winch line can be attached to bow eye of vessel.
Shut off engine, raise
engine or outdrive.
Pull vessel out of water.

24. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Prepare for the drive home well away from the boat ramp.
While at ramp area, remove and dispose of all weeds from vessel and trailer. Remove drain plug to release bilge water, drain live wells.
Secure vessel on trailer and gear within vessel.
Repeat instructions from “Before Leaving Home.”

25. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)

26. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Courtesy on the
Boat Ramp
Prepare your vessel for launching well away from the ramp.

27. Trailering Your Vessel (cont.)
Use at least two experienced people to launch and retrieve vessel.
Never block ramp with an unattended vessel or vehicle.
When retrieving, do not pull vessel into a launch lane until towing vehicle is at ramp.
After retrieving vessel from water, pull it well away from ramp before preparing it for drive home.

28. Vessel Maintenance Examine interior and exterior of hull.
Check for oxidation
Use only environmentally-safe, non- phosphate detergents
Check through-hull fittings for cracks and leaks
Remove all puddles from interior before and after outings
Store vessels in a dry area out of the sun.
Clean all lines. Keep lines out of sun.
Clean sails—examine for tears or open seams.

29. Engine Maintenance Use marine parts only.
Follow a regular maintenance program.
Keep engine clean and well tuned.
Check oil and fluid levels before every outing according to the owner’s manual.
Tighten battery connections. Clean battery terminals.
Inspect engine for anything that show signs of wear or requires tightening.
Use marine parts only.

30. Lines and Knots

31. Preventing Theft
Store your vessel so it is not easily seen and the trailer cannot be moved.
Chain and lock the outboard motor and fuel tanks to vessel.
Mark or engrave all equipment with identifier.
Photograph or video tape interior and exterior of vessel. Make a complete inventory of equipment, vessel, and trailer.
Remove expensive electronics or other valuables.
Cover the vessel. Always remove keys and registration.