Where CO May Accumulate
Carbon monoxide can accumulate anywhere in or around your boat. This includes:
• inadequately ventilated canvas enclosures.
• exhaust gas trapped in enclosed places.
• blocked exhaust outlets.
• another vessel’s exhaust. CO from the boat docked next to you can be just as
deadly as that emitted from your own boat.
• back drafting from your own boat’s exhaust.
• at slow speeds, while idling or stopped. Be aware that CO can remain in or around
your boat at dangerous levels even if your engine or the other boat’s engine is no
longer running!
How to Protect Yourself and Others
Following these simple steps to help keep CO from poisoning you, your passengers
and others nearby:
• Know where and how CO may accumulate in and around your boat. This is particu-
larly important when starting or running engines in boathouses, or near a sea wall.
Boats that are moored in close proximity are also potential problems as the fumes
from your boat or another boat can aect air drafts on all boats. Back drafting
(sometimes called the “station wagon eect” occurs when the fumes curl up over
the swim platform and transom and into the boat, especially when canvas or other
coverings can trap the fumes. Even in open air, consider wind direction, the boat’s
speed and trim angles.
• Maintain fresh air circulation throughout the boat at all times. CO is in greater
concentration when the engine is cold so ensure that the boat is situated to take
advantage of maximum dissipation of fumes.
• If your boat is equipped with a generator, know where the exhaust outlet(s) is lo-
cated and keep everyone away from the area.
• Ensure that all appliances, air conditioning, heater, generator, or other on-board
function that emits fumes are routinely and regularly provided with maintenance
as described by those manufacturers. Failure to do so can result in the accumula-
tion of CO fumes.
• Never sit, teak surf, or hang on the back deck or swim platform while the engine is
running. Teak surfing is NEVER a safe activity.
• Never move into areas under swim platforms where exhaust outlets are located
unless the area has been properly ventilated.
• Operation of boats at Mile-High or higher altitudes may aect CO production. Check
with an authorized MasterCraft dealer before operating at higher altitudes to deter-
mine whether the engine may require additional tuning to prevent excessive CO.
• Although CO can be present without the smell of exhaust fumes, if you smell ex-
haust fumes, CO is also present. Take immediate action to dissipate these fumes.
• Treat symptoms of seasickness as possible CO poisoning. Get the person(s) into
fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention.
• Install and maintain CO alarms inside your boat. Do not ignore any alarm. Replace
alarms as recommended by the alarm manufacturer.
• Follow Coast Guard safety checklists.
• Get a Vessel Safety Check. They are free! Your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary can
provide details or check www.uscgaux.org online to locate assistance.
Weight Limits and Distribution
All boats have weight limits. Failure to ad-
here to the posted limits can cause operation
instability and/or the boat to sink. This may
result in serious injury or death, as well as
significant damage to the boat, which will not
be covered by warranty.
2013 MasterCraft Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge • Page 1-23
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