Paddle King Lo Pro Angler Owner's Manual - page 10
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Tie stern first, then the bow. Tie up only to the tie-down eyes. Never use the handrails or bimini frame.
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Be sure you have enough fenders or bumpers to protect the boat from damage. If possible, tie up with the
bow towards the waves. Use a good-quality double-braided nylon line.
Mooring:
After you have positioned your boat next to the dock, you must secure it with mooring lines to keep it in
position. Mooring lines must be long enough to secure your boat wherever it is docked. For example, the length of
the lines of a 20-foot pontoon should be at least 19 feet. An eye splice at the end of each line works well with bow
or stern cleats.
The mooring lines used most often are bow line, the stern line, and spring lines. The bow line and the stern line
secure your boat’s bow and stern. Attach line to your mooring eyes on the front and rear pontoons. The two spring
lines keep your boat from moving forward or backward when you are moored alongside a dock.
If you are mooring your boat for a short time, bow and stern lines may be the only lines you need. If you are
mooring your boat for a longer time or the currents are swift, you should use spring lines. The stern spring line
leads from the boat’s stern cleat forward to the piling or cleat on the dock. The bow spring line leads from the bow
cleat aft to the dock.
If you are mooring your boat in a slip, bow and spring lines, port and starboard, will keep your boat in position.
If tides are a consideration, be sure to leave slack in the line to make up for the rise and fall of the water while your
boat is docked.
Right of Way:
In general, boats with less maneuverability have the right-of-way over more agile craft. You must
stay out of the way of the following vessels:
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A vessel not under command or that has run aground. Due to their circumstances, these vessels have no
maneuverability.
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A vessel restricted in its maneuverability, such as vessels that are performing work such as: surveying,
dredging, laying pipe or cable, or servicing navigational markers.
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A vessel engaged in fishing. This includes boats fishing with lines, trawls or nets; but not trolling lines.
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Sailboats. However, if a sailboat is using a propeller to move forward, it is considered a power boat even if
its sails are up.
Meeting Head-On:
When two boats meet head-on, neither boat has the right-of-way. Both boats should decrease
speed and pass port to port. However, if both boats are on the left side of a channel, each vessel should sound two
short horn blasts and pass starboard to starboard.
Crossing Situations:
In a crossing situation, the boat on the right from the 12-4 o’clock position has the right-of-way.
It must hold course and speed. The boat without right-of-way must keep clear and pass to the stern.
Overtaking:
The boat overtaking the one ahead must yield the right-of-way to the boat being passed. The
overtaking boat must make any necessary adjustments to keep out of its path. The boat being passed should hold
its course and speed.
The General Prudential Rule:
The general prudential rule regarding right-of-way is that if a collision appears
unavoidable, neither boat has right-of-way. As prescribed in the “Rules of the Road,” both boats must act to avoid
collision.
Night Running:
Operating between sunset and sunrise (hours vary by state), or in conditions of reduced visibility,
must use navigational lights. Nighttime operation can be dangerous, especially during bad weather or fog. All
“Rules of the Road” apply at night, but it is best to slow down and stay clear of all boats regardless of who has the
right-of-way.
To see more easily at night, avoid bright lights when possible. Also, it is helpful to have a passenger keep watch for
other boats, water hazards and navigational aids.