Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2019 Owner's Manual

Contents

Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2019 Owner's Manual Manual pdf 30 page image

Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be deadly.Alcohol and/or drug use is the leading contributing factor to allrecreational boating fatalities. Alcohol and drugs can increase yourreaction time and impair your judgment. Combined with the sun,wind, waves, and noise of other watercraft, the effects of drugs andalcohol can be increased and can significantly increase your reactiontime. As the owner/operator, you are responsible for the alcohol/drug use and onboard behavior of your passengers. Additionally,civil lawsuits in cases of property damage or injury/death to otherscan result in significantly higher verdicts when alcohol or drugs areallowed.Impaired operation mayresult in severe personalinjury or death. Federal andstate laws prohibit operatinga boat under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Ifthe operator’s blood alcohol content is above the legallimit, violators are subject to fines and may go to jail.Violators may also lose automobile driving privileges.Product MisuseMisuse of the product or use of it in a manner for which it wasnever intended can create dangerous situations. The boat operatorand passengers are responsible for using the product safely and asintended. The driver must operate the boat in a manner that ensuresthe safety of all passengers. If you or your passengers are unsureabout the proper use of the product, unsure about performing certainboating maneuvers or are unsure about a particular water activity, referto this owner’s manual or contact a knowledgeable source, such asyour local dealer, the US Coast Guard, or your local boating authority.Reporting AccidentsBoat operators may be required by law to file a Boating Accidentreport with their state boating law enforcement agency or localauthority, the USCG, or their country’s boating law enforcementagency when their boat is involved in certain boating accidents. Aboating accident must be reported if there is a loss or probable lossof life or a personal injury requiring medical attention beyond firstaid. In these situations, a formal report must generally be filed within48 hours of the accident. Also a boating accident must be reportedfor accidents when damage exceeding $500 is incurred, or there isa complete loss of the boat. In these situations, a formal report mustgenerally be filed within 10 days. If any of these events occur, seekfurther assistance from local law enforcement personnel. Please notethat the submittal of a report is the responsibility of the boat owner.This requirement is different than laws associated with the reportingof automobile accidents.Rendering AssistanceIf you see a distress signal or suspect a boat is in trouble,you must assume it is a real emergency and render assistanceimmediately. By law, the operator in charge of the craft is obligated toprovide assistance to any individual in danger, presuming assistancecan be safely provided. Failure to render assistance can result in afine and/or imprisonment.The 1971 Boating Safety Act grants protection to a “GoodSamaritan” boater providing good faith assistance, and absolves aboater from any civil liability arising from such assistance.Hazardous ConditionsEvery waterway poses hazards that should be avoided. You willbe best prepared to avoid these hazards if you are familiar with thewaterway where you are boating. Whenever possible familiarizeyourself with navigation charts, depth charts, and waterway mapsbefore you go boating. The following information outlines some of themost common hazards which may be encountered:Shallow Water OperationShallow water brings on obvious hazards such as sand bars,stumps, rocks, etc. Know the area in which you will be operating theboat. Grounding the vessel or striking submerged objects can resultin serious injury or death and can cause severe damage to yourwatercraft. At high speed, this can cause rapid deceleration or stopyour boat abruptly, which may cause occupants to impact the interiorof the boat or be ejected. Stick to deeper water whenever possible,and if you must travel in shallow water, proceed at low speed andpost a lookout.Know the minimal depth your boat can safely travel.Warning MarkersLearn to recognize the different buoys and day markers; they areused as the signposts of the waterways identifying navigable routesand water hazards. It is a good idea to ask local authorities abouthazard areas and if they are marked. Stay within boundaries andclear of hazards.WeedsWeeds can generally be a threat to a boat’s engine and othercomponents on the boat. If weeds wrap around the propeller, theycan create vibration in the engine. They also can restrict waterintakes or clog the water filter, causing the engine to overheat. Learnto recognize the typical normal operating temperature range foryour engine. If temperature rises high above normal, then check forblockage of the engine cooling water system.2019 Malibu Boats, LLC Owner’s Manual • Page 17https://www.boat-manuals.com/