Chapter 2 Before You Get Underway 1
We ll Discuss: 1 Capacity 2 Float Plan 3 Pre-Departure Checks 4 Trailering & Fueling - Safety 5 Launching and Retrieving 6 Boat Maintenance 7 Boating Accessories 2
Capacity Plate 1 Why is this important? 3
Float Plans 1 What is a Float Plan? 2 What information does it contain? 4
Pre-Departure Checks 1 What to do BEFORE you Go 5
Vessel Safety Checks 1 USCG Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check No charge 2 Ensures your vessel meets or exceeds federal & state standards 6
Vessel Safety Checks 1 Seal of safety 2 Not an enforcement function 7
Trailering Your Boat 1 The right trailer 2 The right tow vehicle 5 winch 3 bunks tongue 4 6 coupler 6 rollers 8
Trailering Your Boat 1 Match coupler and ball 2 Maintain proper tongue weight 7-10% 3 Safety chains crossed 9
Trailering Safely 1 Before leaving home which things to check? 10
On the Road 1 Traffic flow 2 Turning and cornering wide 3 Check rigging periodically 4 Carry tools, jack, spare parts, and flares 5 Observe speed limits 11
Launching Your Boat 1 Prepare away from the ramp 2 Transfer equipment and supplies 3 Remove tie-downs 4 Check drain plug 12
Launching Your Boat 1 Back down ramp until lower unit is submerged 2 Start engine and check idle OK 3 Back down until boat floats 4 Undo winch line 5 Back boat off of the trailer 13
Retrieving Your Boat 1 Back in water to top of trailer tires 2 Slowly drive the boat onto the trailer 14
Retrieving Your Boat 1 Attach the winch line to the bow eye 2 Shut off the engine 3 Winch the boat until the bow rests on the roller 4 Raise lower unit 5 Pull trailer out of the water 6 Move away from launch ramp 15
Retrieving Your Boat 1 Remove weeds 2 Drain bilge and live wells 3 Secure gear and equipment 4 Re-attach tie-downs and trailer harness 16
Fueling Safely 1 Fill portable tanks on dock 2 Close hatches and portholes 3 Keep fuel nozzle in contact with deck plate 4 Do not overfill tanks 5 Ventilate bilge after fueling 6 Open all hatches and portholes 17
Fueling Safely 1 Check system for leaks 2 Fill tank slowly do not overfill 3 After fueling ventilate engine compartment 4 Check for spills 18
Use Your Nose 19
Fuel Selector Use Your Nose Again 20
Maintain Your Boat 1 Examine interior and exterior out of the water 2 Check gelcoat and thru-hulls 3 Hang canoes upside down 4 Clean lines and sails 5 Keep boats covered for storage 21
Boating Accessories Anchor and line Spare parts and tool kit Compass and charts Radio, VHF-FM marine Docking lines First aid kit Water for emergencies Flashlight Spare bulbs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 22
Chapter 2 Review 23
Review Exercises 1 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-pour 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 ½ of the tank to reach your destination and ½ of the tank to get home. a b c d 24
Review Exercises 2 Vessel equipment required by law: is only part of that needed for safe and comfortable operation. covers all of your needs for the safe operation of your vessel. includes charts and other navigational equipment. does not include visual distress signals and fire extinguishers. a b c d 25
Review Exercises Relative to the amount of trailer tongue weight, which of the following statements is TRUE? 3 a b c d The amount of weight on the coupler ball makes no difference. Too little weight on the coupler ball will cause the trailer to sway back and forth. Too little weight on the coupler ball will raise the rear of the tow vehicle off the ground. You can change the weight on the coupler ball, by changing the size of the ball. 26
Review Exercises 4 Trailer winch cables and straps can snap. Be sure to: stand close by and watch the winch operation carefully. tapes up any winch cable that has broken strands. stay out of direct line with a winch cable or strap. release the ratchet on the winch handle. a b c d 27
Review Exercises 5 When launching a sailboat with the mast raised at a launch area: be careful not to tip the boat off the trailer. use a halyard to pull it off the trailer. just as on the water, a sailboat has priority privileges. be certain that no overhead electrical wires come close to or in contact with the mast or rigging. a b c d 28
Review Exercises 6 In addition to keeping the pump nozzle in constant metal-to-metal contact with the filler pipe, an important safety instruction to follow when refilling portable fuel tanks is to: always use approved yellow marine safety tanks. take them out of the boat and fill them on the dock. use only approved safety tanks and fill them inside the boat. step carefully onto the gunwale when carrying full tanks on board. a b c d 29
Review Exercises 7 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. support the boat, motor, fuel, and all gear you plan to carry when on the road. a b c d 30
Review Exercises 8 A float plan includes a description of your boat, who is on board, and, most importantly: the name of your radio operator. where you expect to be and when you expect to return. the draft of your boat. what mechanical equipment on your boat is not in the best condition. a b c d 31
End Chapter 2 32