2008 Kawasaki JET SKI STX-15F Owners Manual - Page 72

70 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS j Pulling a Water Skier, Tuber, Wakerboarder, etc. Water skiing should be considered a three person team sport. Do not consider the rear view mirrors as an observer. As a team, the boat operator, the backward-facing observer, and the skier must know their equipment, boating laws, each person's responsibilities, communication signals, and the fundamentals of the sport. The navigation rules do not provide any special privileges for vessels towing skiers. Minimize the danger of collisions with other boats, fixed objects, or swimmers by staying out of congested areas. Keep the skier at least twice the length of the tow rope away from shore and shallow water. Do not pull the tow rope in front of another boat. Many lakes have designated ski areas. Always follow local regulations regarding the towing of water skiers. To the Operator: As the skipper you are responsible for the conduct and safety of your team. Be extra observant when pulling a water skier, tuber, wakerboarder, etc; other boats may not be expecting a personal watercraft to be pulling someone behind it. Always display a ski flag to indicate a downed skier or a skier getting ready to ski. Return to a fallen skier without delay, but always approach slowly. Start off by idling ahead until the tow rope is tight. When the skier signals he or she is ready, be sure the water ahead is clear and start off with enough power to raise the skier. Ease up on the throttle once the skier is up. Remember, before pulling up the skier, double check the path ahead for boats or obstacles and be sure the tow rope is not wrapped around the skier. Always judge the speed according to the skier's ability. A good speed for beginners is 29 to 40 km or 18 to 25 miles per hour. Give skiers a smooth, easy ride and let them signal what they want to do. Boats pulling skiers must follow all speed limits. A skier's weight and speed in turns can affect the steering of the watercraft by pulling it off course. Both the operator and the skier must coordinate their actions so that the craft is not misdirected. Always anticipate the added length of the tow rope and skier by allowing extra time and space for maneuvering. Turn wide and not too fast to avoid whipping the skier at excessive speeds. The operator should not accelerate or continue moving when the observer or passenger is bringing in the ski rope or otherwise not in a secure position. To the Observer: The observer's job is to relay all signals from the skier to the operator, inform the operator immediately if the skier falls, and display the ski flag. The observer should hold the handrail securely as he or she faces rearward to watch the water skier. The observer must also tend the ski rope to prevent it from entering the pump intake and winding around the impeller.