* f~#~i'. WH]TBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1990, PAGE 29 Learn safety before emibarking A BOAT SK[PPER should be as safety canscous when hels pulling bis boat as he is when hes onte water. The job takes coenmoei sense and a littie practioe Take care when hanling your boat, on or off water @)A first-rate boat skipper should be as good at handling bis rig when it's on a trailer as he is when it's in the water. These precautions are suggested by the Mariner Outboards boating experts: 0 Avoid sudden stops. Always allow extra following distance. 0 If you are passed, air turbulence from a large vehicle will push the trailer to the side. Don't brake. This gust will move along the trailer inunediately and will tend to correct the sway. If you are not traveling at the average speed of traf- fic on the highway, pull over at the first safe chance ta allow others that may be following to pass. *r When passing, remember that the tiler adds weight and will reduce accel- eration. With this in mmid, more room is needed for overtaking. Always change lanes smoothly to avoid whipping the trailer. e Trafier wheels and car wbeels do not follow in the same path. One must steer wider on corners and the trailer will stay clear of the curb or other vehicles. On curves, stay wefl on your side. of the cen- ter line. ePractice backing maneuvers in an open area. When backing, do not rush. Remember that the trailer wilI turn-in the opposite direction ta the car. To make the trailer go to the left, turn the steering wheel ta the rigbt. e If a car engine should ever overheat, do not remnove the radiator cap. Have the engne idie rapidly to increase air flow. Remember to shut off your air condition- ing until the idling temperature returns to normal. Cold water sbould not be poured over or into a hot engine. Transmission coolers are recommended for towing heavy Ioads, for long distances, or during bot periods. ,@ Prepare vnur boat for Iauncbing at the top of the ramp or parking facility. Remove ail tie-down straps, cbeck boat plugs, and fasten tbe bow line. Neyer leave tbe towing vebicle unattended on the ramp with only tbe parking.brake set. If the vebicle must be Ieft while on the ramp, set the transmission in "park" or first gear. As vacation time nears, thousands of vactioners who are fortunato enough to have'accou to oasts will be heading for the wator and fun-filled days of sailing, rowing and outhoord boating. Before they weigh anchor, boators would do woll to familiarize themselvos with some basic rudes for safe boating, if thoy are not already well- acquainted with safety measuros. n of -the moot important rules is te follow the recom- mended power rating for your craft. An over-powered boastje difficuit to handle and can resuit " in accidents, while an under- powerod boat nxay ho too sluggish to buck the wind and white caps. When hoarding be sure and have soinebody steady your hoat. It je also wise to make smr the hoast iisescurely fastenod ta, the dock. If you're hoarding a amal hoat, grasp hoth aides and stop in near the conter. If youro boarding from a high pier on the beach, getimover the bow.And remembor, don't ever jump into the boat. Before you take off, check to oso that your losd is balanced, and weight je -distributed evenly. Tighten 'the bracket screws of your motor and have it chained ta, pur oat.Now you're ready ta, Here's here your knowledge of theo e '~uof the road" for water traffic "are moet important for safoty. Remembor that salihas and rowbosts genorally have the right of way. If you're in a motorboat, steer clear of saihoats and rowbosts, as your wake can creato a hazard for them. Also steor clear of commercial and largo vessols, as ites difficuit for these larger ships to, maneuver around you. If a hoastls approuching your right or starboard aide fi-om dead ahead ta about 112 degrees toward your stern, it bas the right of way, and it's your responsihiity ta, avoid a collision. If youlre hacing up, your stern hecomes the how, and the same 112-degree rule for right-of-way applied from your storn. IF you're approaching each other head-on, bath boats must change course hy turning ta the- right. If another boat approaches you from the left "or port aide, its ekipper should change course ta avoid a colision. Keep alert, however, and change your course if ho doesnt know the rules! When overtaking another boat, remember that it bas the right of way. Be sure and keep well clear of it. If youlre being overtaken by another hoast, you must maintain your speed and course, unlese there is danger cf colision. Make sure passengers romain seated in email bas and prevent dunkiangs by avoiding sharp turne. Heaa' inta, waves, at about a 45-degreo angle so your boat climbs; and rolse gently over them. Don't run parallel ta waves and don7t back inta, them' or take waves over your stern. If, in spite of ail your safety precautions, sonmeoe falis overboard, immediatelysin your stern away from te person overboard, throw your motar shift inta neutral, and throw a ring buoy or cushion to him. Bring hlm around ta stemu with a paddlo lino, just as you would a swimmer or water skcier. Brace yourself by, hooking your feet under the boat seat and pull the swimmer inta, the hoat. Do se carefully, or you may capsize your boat. 'j 'Tanning anid wimwear / Now is the time to get read.* for the boating season. Try Our 1 month unlimited tanning for two ONLY $99 1ST TANNING SESSION 18 FREE We now hatve Our atunysing collection OfBody Glove sunglasses. L~H Eý