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�Chapter 2�

Before You Get Underway

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Key Topics

Boat’s Capacity
Float Plans
Fueling a Vessel and a Personal Watercraft
Trailering/Courtesy on the Boat Ramp
Vessel and Engine Maintenance

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Objectives

You should be able to…

Locate and understand a boat’s capacity plate.
File a proper float plan.
Explain how to fuel a vessel safely.
Explain how to launch a vessel from a trailer and retrieve it from the water safely and courteously.
Give the basics of vessel and engine maintenance.

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Boat Capacity

Maximum weight includes weight of:

Passengers
Gear
Motors

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Boat Capacity

Do not exceed the recommended capacity found in the owner’s manual and on manufacturer’s warning decal.
On outboard boats, never exceed the maximum horsepower rating shown on the capacity plate.
On vessels less than 20 feet in length without a capacity plate:

Number of people = vessel length (ft.) X vessel width (ft.)

15

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Boat Capacity

Number of people = 18 feet long X 6 feet wide

Number of people = 108

Number of people = 7.2

(no more than 7 people on board)

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Example:

Vessel Length: 18 feet

Vessel Width: 6 feet

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File a Float Plan

For short outings, inform a responsible person of:

WHERE you are boating
WHEN you are returning
WHO to call

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File a Float Plan

For extended outings, include:

WHO is going
WHERE you are going
WHAT boat you are in
WHEN you are leaving and returning

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File a Float Plan

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Fuel Your Vessel…Safely

Before fueling:

Refuel away from the water.
Tie up the boat.
Unload all passengers.
Turn off all sources that could result in a flame.
Close all windows, ports, and doors.
Unload portable fuel tanks.

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Fuel Your Vessel…Safely

While filling the fuel tank:

Keep nozzle of fuel-pump hose in contact with tank opening.
Use caution and fill tank slowly.
Never fill tank to brim.
Wipe up any spilled fuel.

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Fuel Your Vessel…Safely

After fueling:

Put fill cap on tightly.
Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.
Turn on exhaust blower for four minutes.
Sniff for fuel vapors.
Start engine and reload passengers.

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Fuel Your Vessel…Safely

To make sure you do not run out of fuel, use this rule:

One-third to get out
One-third to get back
One-third in reserve

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Fuel Your Vessel…Safely

Fueling Issues for a Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Check fuel system for leaks and inspect connections frequently.
Avoid fuel spills in or near water.
Do not tip PWC to�fill all the way up.
After fueling, sniff�to check for gas fumes.

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Fuel Selector Switch on a PWC

OFF
ON
RESERVE

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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 the trailer’s dimensions.

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Trailering Your Vessel

Make sure the weight of the vessel and engine does not exceed 90% of trailer’s load capacity. The trailer must carry your:

Vessel
Engine
Fuel
Gear

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Trailering Your Vessel

Example:

Vessel Size: 19 feet long

Weight of Vessel: 2600 lbs. (Includes weight of engine, fuel, and gear)

Which capacity trailer would you choose?

2300 lbs.

OR

3000 lbs.

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Trailering Your Vessel

Choosing the Right Vehicle

The towing vehicle must be rated to tow the combined weight of:

Vessel
Engine
Trailer

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Trailering Your Vessel

Towing hitch must be appropriate for the loaded trailer.

Ball hitch
Coupler
Tongue weight

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Trailering Your Vessel

Example:

The trailer for the vessel has a 2 5/16" coupler.

2 ¼"

2 ³/₈"

2 ⁵/₁₆"

2 ½"

Which of the following sizes of ball hitch must be used on the towing vehicle?

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Trailering Your Vessel

Before leaving home:

Secure all gear in the vessel.
Secure the vessel to the trailer.
Secure engine.
Crisscross two safety chains under the trailer tongue.

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Trailering Your Vessel

Inspect and maintain trailering equipment.

Check tire pressure on all tires.
Tighten lug nuts.
Grease wheel bearings.
Check lights and brakes.
Check tie-down straps, �lines, winch, safety �chains, and hitch.

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Trailering Your Vessel

On the Road With a Trailer

Drive cautiously.

Drive at moderate speeds.
On long trips, pull over every hour or so to check vehicle, trailer, and gear.

Allow for added length and weight of trailer.

Make wider turns at corners and curves.
Allow extra time and distance to stop and pass.

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Trailering Your Vessel

Launching Your Vessel From a Trailer

Don’t block ramp traffic!

Transfer all gear to the vessel.
Disconnect trailer lights.
Leave the winch line �secured to the vessel.
Remove tie-down straps.
Ensure drain plug is in place.
Tie a rope to the vessel’s bow.

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Trailering Your Vessel

Back the trailer into the water.

Set the parking brake on the towing vehicle.
Lower the vessel’s engine or outdrive.
Start the engine.
Back the trailer into the water until the vessel floats.
Undo the winch line. Back the vessel off the trailer.

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Trailering Your Vessel

Retrieving Your Vessel

Wait for your turn.
Back the trailer into the water.

Set parking brake.
Attach winch line.
Shut off engine.
Raise engine or �outdrive.
Pull trailer out of �the water.

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Trailering Your Vessel

Do not power load your boat. Propeller wash can create.

A large hole where trailer tires can get stuck
A mound where boats can run aground

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Trailering Your Vessel

Prepare for drive home well away from boat ramp.

Do not block ramp traffic.
Remove and dispose of �all aquatic nuisance �species.
Remove the drain plug.
Secure your vessel �and gear.

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Trailering Your Vessel

Courtesy on the Boat Ramp

Prepare your vessel for launching well away from the ramp.
Use at least two experienced people to launch and retrieve.
Never block ramp with unattended vessel or vehicle.

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Trailering Your Vessel

When retrieving, do not pull vessel into launch lane until towing vehicle is at ramp.
After retrieving your vessel, pull well away from ramp before preparing for the drive home.

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Vessel Maintenance

Examine the hull when it is out of the water.
Store vessels in a dry area out of the sun.
Clean all lines, and keep them out of the sun.
Clean sails, and make repairs.
Follow the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual.

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Engine Maintenance

Follow a regular maintenance program.

Keep engine clean and tuned properly.
Check oil and fluid levels before every outing.
Tighten battery connections. Clean battery terminals.
Inspect hoses, belts, and bolts.
Never use automotive electrical parts.

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Preventing Theft

Store vessel so it is not easily accessed.
Chain and lock motor and fuel tanks to vessel.
Mark or engrave all equipment.
Photograph or videotape interior and exterior of vessel. Make a complete inventory.
Remove all valuables.
Cover vessel and remove keys.

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Chapter 2 Review

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Review Exercises

What important safety information is found on the boat’s capacity plate:

a. Minimum number of PFDs required on board.

b. Minimum number of seats required.

c. Maximum weight and/or number of people

the boat can carry.

d. Maximum capacity of fuel tanks.

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Review Exercises

To avoid running out of fuel, determine the usable capacity of your fuel tank and your boat’s rate of fuel consumption, and then:

Bring extra fuel in easy-to-store containers such as

plastic milk jugs.

Plan to use 1/3 of the fuel to reach your destination, 1/3 to get home, and 1/3 for emergencies.

Plan on enough fuel to get to the next fuel dock.

Plan on 1/2 your tank to reach your destination and

1/2 to get home.

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Review Exercises

Before fueling your boat you should:

Turn off the engine and open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.

Turn off the engine and close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.

Turn on the engine and open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.

Turn on the engine and close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.

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Review Exercises

Where should your trailer be located while you prepare to launch your vessel?:

On your driveway at home.

In front of a vessel being launched.

In the water at the boat ramp.

Well away from the boat ramp.

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Review Exercises

Which of these should you leave with a friend or relative before taking your boat on the water?

Float plan for your trip.

Insurance policy.

Operator’s license.

d. Vessel registration.

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Review Exercises

It is important that the trailer have sufficient weight-carrying ability to:

Hold the boat, gear, and all passengers in it when on the road.

Keep the trailer on the road surface when traveling at very high speeds.

Carry just the weight of the boat.

d. Support the boat, motor, fuel, and all gear you plan to carry when on the road.

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End Chapter 2