2
Section
YOU AND YOUR BOAT
Congratulations on your purchase of a new Avalon or Tahoe pontoon boat!
You have made a considerable investment, and you probably didn't do it
without giving the purchase careful thought. The purpose of this manual is
to urge you to give the same careful thought to the way you operate and
maintain your boat.
Boat ownership carries with it responsibilities - to yourself, to your boating
companions and to the general public. Safe, common sense operation,
careful maintenance, and compliance with the law will not hamper your
boating pleasure. Rather, they will make boating more enjoyable for you
and your fellow waterways users.
This manual, as well as any literature supplied by the manufacturer for your
specific boat and engine, should be read thoroughly and kept handy for
ready reference.
Safety: Drinking & Driving
The most common and flagrant violation of good judgment by mariners
involves the use of alcohol or drugs. Each year about one-half of all boating
accidents involving fatalities result from the misuse of alcohol or drugs.
Regarding drinking and boat operation, the best answer is to abstain or plan
to have someone else (a "designated driver") get you home. Drinking by the
boat operator is dangerous because it impairs judgment, coordination, and
reaction time more severely than on land.
States are toughening their laws and penalties for problem boat owners.
Recent federal law defines boat operator intoxication as having more than
.08 percent blood alcohol concentration or merely "the general appearance
or behavior of intoxication." Never allow an obviously intoxicated person to
take the helm.
Boating is meant to be fun. But operators must have the good sense to
always be mentally alert and physically capable of boating in a safe manner.
The Preliminaries
REGISTRATION: Federal law requires that all motorboats be registered and
that all motor craft not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard display
registration numbers. In nearly all states, this means registration with the
designated state agency. In a few jurisdictions, the Coast Guard retains
registration authority. Your dealer will either supply registration forms or
tell you where they may be obtained. The registration agency will issue you
a certificate which must be carried aboard when the boat is in use.
