33
Operation
2.13 Water Skiing and Wakeboarding
Your boat could be equipped for water skiing and
wakeboarding. If you have never driven skiers
before, you should spend some hours as an ob-
server and learning from an experienced driver.
If you are an experienced driver, you should take
some time to become familiar with the boat and
the way it handles before pulling a skier. The
driver should also know the skier’s ability and
drive accordingly.
The following safety precautions should be
observed while towing water skiers.
• Water ski only in safe areas, away from other
boats and swimmers, out of channels and in
water free of underwater obstructions. The
area should be at least 5 feet deep, 3000 feet
long and have at least 100’ between each side
of the boat and any obstructions.
• Make sure that anyone who skis can swim. Do
not allow people who cannot swim to water ski.
• Be sure that the skier is wearing a proper
life jacket. A water skier is considered on
board the boat and a Coast Guard approved
life jacket is required. It is advisable and
recommended for a skier to wear a otation
device designed to withstand the impact of
hitting the water at high speed.
• Make sure to inspect the ski equipment and
tow rope before each ski session. Never use
equipment that is damaged or with loose
screws, torn boots, severe corrosion or tears
in the fabric. You should also inspect the
ski tow rope and replace if it is frayed, has
unnecessary knots or is damaged. Never use
a ski tow line that is questionable.
• Secure the ski tow rope to an appropriate device
intended for ski tow ropes.
• Always carry a second person on board to
observe the skier or wakeboarder so that your
full attention can be given to the safe operation
of the boat. The operator should pay attention
to driving the boat and have the observer keep
him updated on the skier. Never ski after
dark. It is hazardous and illegal. Neither the
boat operator or skier can see well enough to
navigate at skiing or wakeboarding speeds
safely at night.
• Never spray swimmers, boats, rafts or other
skiers. The risk for a collision makes this
dangerous for the skier and people being
sprayed.
• Never follow directly behind another boat while
pulling skiers. Always stay a safe distance
behind or off the side of other boat trafc. If
the boat you are following stops unexpectedly,
you may not be able to respond quick enough
endangering your skier and occupants of both
boats.
• Never follow behind another boat pulling a
skier for any reason, even if you are not pulling
a skier. If the skier you are following falls, you
may not be able to respond quick enough and
could run over the skier.
• When pulling multiple skiers, make sure the
ropes are the same length. Never pull multiple
skiers with tow ropes of different lengths.
• Always make sure to slowly pull the slack out of
the ski rope and wait for the OK from the skier
before advancing the throttle to ensure the
rope is not wrapped around the skier and that
the skier is ready. Never advance the throttle
until the skier provides the ready signal.
• When turning around to pick up a fallen skier,
make sure to look for other boat trafc in the
direction of the turn before you turn the boat.
• Approach a skier in the water from the
downwind side and be certain to stop the
motion of the boat and your motor before
coming in close proximity to the skier.
• Give immediate attention to a fallen skier. A
fallen skier is very hard to see by other boats
and is extremely vulnerable. When a skier
falls, be prepared to immediately turn the boat
and return to the skier.
• Never leave a fallen skier alone in the water
for any reason and have an observer display
a skier down ag to alert other boaters that
your skier has fallen.
• Agree on hand signals to be used between the
observer and skier to communicate. This is
important to eliminate confusion and ensure
the safety of your skiers, wakeboarders or
tubers. Refer the Hand Signals drawing in this
section for signals that are commonly used
during water sports activities.
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