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Chapter 2
Before You Get Underway
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We’ll Discuss:
Capacity
Float Plan
Pre-Departure Checks
Trailering & Fueling - Safety
Launching and Retrieving
Boat Maintenance
Boating Accessories 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Mention these bulleted items as an overview of this chapter. More detail will be covered in each topic.
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Capacity Plate
Why is this important? 1
Discuss that safe boat handling means knowing your vessel’s limits
ASK: What could happen if the information on the Capacity Plate was ignored?
Discuss: Federal law is: all single hull boats less than 20’ (except sailboats and PWC) must have one
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Float Plans
What is a Float Plan?
What information does it contain? 1 2
Instructor Notes:
Discuss the information contained on one.
Ask: Who would you give this float plan to?
Point that there is a float plan downloadable on their CD.
Ask: Why is this an important part of boating
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Pre-Departure Checks
What to do BEFORE you Go 1
ASK: The students for their ideas on what should be included.
Classroom aid: Have a whiteboard or flipchart and list the items as mentioned. Then discuss them as to WHY they are important.
We want to emphasize:
o        Check the weather
o        Have charts
o        File a float plan
o        Have a boat and equipment checklist
o        Give your passengers a brief safety training- location of PFDs and fire extinguishers, etc
o        Get a Vessel Safety Check!
Point out there are downloadable checklists on their CD
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Vessel Safety Checks
USCG Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check
No charge
Ensures your vessel meets or exceeds federal & state standards 1 2
Discuss the VSC program briefly
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Vessel Safety Checks
Seal of safety
Not an enforcement function 1 2
Describe the benefits of a VSC:
o        Peace of mind knowing you have all the required gear
o        And that it is in good condition
o        Possible insurance discount!
Give them all a VSC handout with your flotilla’s contact name and number
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Trailering Your Boat
The right trailer
The right tow vehicle 1 2
winch 5
tongue 4
bunks 3
Instructor Notes:
Ask: What is the right trailer and the right tow vehicle?
Ask: Why is this an important safety item?
Make sure the class discusses vessel weight, vehicle towing capacity.
Make sure to discuss that the trailer needs to be able to carry the weight of the boat as well as the engine(s), fuel and gear
Go over the animations and the various parts of a trailer.
coupler 6
rollers 7
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Trailering Your Boat
Match coupler and ball
Maintain proper tongue weight 7-10%
Safety chains – crossed 1 2 3
Instructor Notes:
Ask: why each of these is an important safety consideration?
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Trailering Safely
Before leaving home which things to check? 1
Instructor Notes:
Ask: the question on the slide
Responses should include:
Secure loose gear
Tie down the boat
Tilt and secure the engine
Inspect the hitch and safety chain
Trailer brakes
Lights
Bearings
Tire pressure
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On the Road
Traffic flow
Turning and cornering wide
Check rigging periodically
Carry tools, jack, spare parts, and flares
Observe speed limits 1 2 3 4
Instructor Notes:
Discuss the safety importance of these bullet points. 5
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Launching Your Boat
Prepare away from the ramp
Transfer equipment and supplies
Remove tie-downs
Check drain plug 1 2 3 4
Before the bullet points are activated,
ASK: What steps would you go through before launching your boat from the trailer?
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Launching Your Boat
Back down ramp until lower unit is submerged
Start engine and check idle OK
Back down until boat floats
Undo winch line
Back boat off of the trailer 1 2 3 4 5
Before the bullet points are activated,
ASK: What steps would you go through before launching your boat from the trailer?
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Retrieving Your Boat
Back in water to top of trailer tires
Slowly drive the boat onto the trailer 1 2
Discuss steps with students
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Retrieving Your Boat
Attach the winch line to the bow eye
Shut off the engine
Winch the boat until the bow rests on the roller
Raise lower unit
Pull trailer out of the water
Move away from launch ramp 1 2 3 4
Discuss steps with students
Point out that there is a lot of tension on the winch straps and it’s wise to stay out of the direct line of them. 5 6
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Retrieving Your Boat
Remove weeds
Drain bilge and live wells
Secure gear and equipment
Re-attach tie-downs and trailer harness 1 2 3 4
Discuss steps with students
ASK: why is it important to remove weeds and drain bilges right away?
Discuss Aquatic Nuisance Species (i.e. zebra mussels)
Classroom aid: hand out copies of SpeedGram # ___ regarding non-native nuisance species, or obtain handouts locally
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Fueling Safely
Fill portable tanks on dock
Close hatches and portholes
Keep fuel nozzle in contact with deck plate
Do not overfill tanks
Ventilate bilge after fueling
Open all hatches and portholes 1 2 3 4 5 6
Before animation,
ASK: What are the safety considerations in fueling a boat
o        At the fuel dock?
o        At a gas station?
o        Using portable gas tanks?
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Fueling Safely
Check system for leaks
Fill tank slowly do not overfill
After fueling ventilate engine compartment
Check for spills 1 2 3 4
Instructor Notes:
Ask: What safety concerns are there in fueling a PWC at a fuel dock?
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Use Your Nose
Instructor Notes:
Ask: Why?
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Fuel Selector
Instructor Notes:
Discuss the “reserve” function
Use Your Nose Again
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Maintain Your Boat
Examine interior and exterior out of the water
Check gelcoat and thru-hulls
Hang canoes upside down
Clean lines and sails
Keep boats covered for storage 1 2 3 4 5
Discuss that keeping your boat in good condition is a safety consideration
ASK: what maintenance items should be routine to your day on the water?
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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
Before showing bullet points,
Discuss that in addition to gear and equipment required by federal and state (CH 5), there are many recommended items
ASK: What would you include? Why? 7 8 9
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Chapter 2 Review
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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-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. 1 a b c d
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Review Exercises
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. 2 a b c d
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Review Exercises 3
Relative to the amount of trailer tongue weight, which of the following statements is TRUE?
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. a b c d
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Review Exercises
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. 4 a b c d
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Review Exercises
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. 5 a b c d
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Review Exercises
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. 6 a b c d
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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.
support the boat, motor, fuel, and all gear you plan to carry when on the road. 7 a b c d
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Review Exercises
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. 8 a b c d
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End Chapter 2
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