signals and adheres to common skiing,
wakeboarding and boating courtesy.
Inexperienced skiers might not know
that there are waterskiing hand signals,
similar to bicycle and motorcycle hand
signals, that can be used while skiing.
For example, giving a thumps up or
palm facing up signal while motioning
upwards means “speed up,” and the op-
posite, thumbs down or palms facing
down, means “slow down.” There are
also signals for speed—turn right, turn
left, stop—and signals for when you are
down in the water. Learning these help
the water skier communicate with the
boat over the loud roar of the engine.
The best way to utilize these signals is
by having a spotter. Many states require
at least two people be aboard the boat
while towing a skier—one driver and
one spotter. Having a spotter to watch
the water skier allows the driver of the
boat to concentrate on the water in front
of and around the boat. The spotter
watches the water skier and communi-
cates hand signals to the driver and also
can alert the driver when the skier falls.
• Never ride on the ski platform or hold
on to the ski platform while in the wa-
ter during engine operation, including
at idle. Carbon monoxide fumes are
expelled from the lower transom areas
of your boat and can cause death or se-
rious illness. See the Common Sense
Approach section following for more
details.
• Give immediate assistance to anyone
who falls because they are vulnerable
and may not be seen by other boaters.
Approach individuals in the water from
the leeward side (opposite the wind) and
turn OFF the engine prior to reaching
them. Propellers and engine exhaust are
only part of the potential problem for
someone in the water. Be aware that pro-
pellers may continue to turn for a period
of time after the engine is shut OFF, and
the edges are often sharp enough to eas-
ily cut skin or break bones.
• Ski and wakeboard only in acceptable
areas. Avoid restricted areas.
• The above mandates are not all-inclu-
sive. It is the boater’s responsibility to
operate the boat in a safe fashion and be-
come familiar with any and all rules and
regulations governing boat operation.
Do not tow more than two (2) persons at
one time on a tow tower. The tow tower
approved for use on your boat should be
used only for water skis, wakeboards or
recreational two-person towables, and not
for parasailing, kite flying or towing other
boats. Do not add any attachments that are
not approved for use on your MasterCraf
boat. Do not climb on, sit on, stand on, jump
o of or dive o of the tower. Never allow
passengers to sit behind the tow rope at-
tachment point. Never allow loose tow rope
ends to dangle. Always be certain that all
bolts are in place and tight before and dur-
ing use. When the tower is up, watch for low
obstacles such as tree limbs, bridges or
power lines.
Page 1-16 2014 MasterCraft Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge
S A F E T Y K N O W L E D G E
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