Fuel system (if you suspect any ethanol fuel blend has been used) • Drain and clean out tank • Clean fuel lines • Change fuel filters • Have engine fuel system checked and serviced • Do not leave ethanol fuel standing in any tanks • Check fuel filters • Monitor engine operating temperature • Drain all ethanol blended fuel from tanks, fuel lines and carburettors Batteries • Check electrolyte, top up with distilled water • Recharge, check mountings, clean terminals • Check electrolyte top up with distilled water • Recharge, check mountings, clean terminals • Check electrolyte, top up with distilled water Wiring • for cracking, loose wire and corrosion plugs • Clean and check the gap or replace • Watch for fouling, moisture • Keep engine tuned • and check the gap as necessary Steering gear and other moving parts • Lubricate all moving • Lubricate every 60 days • Lubricate before storing Cooling system • Clean passages • Check ports for weeds • Flush after use in salt water • Flush with water • Drain all water by pull starting with plugs disconnected Propeller • Sand or file small nicks • Check regularly • Check condition • Repair if required Reserve buoyancy • Check condition and that it is securely in place, replace worn or degraded materials • Regularly check it is securely in place • Keep and dry Hull and outer surfaces • Clean hull • Replace sacrificial anodes as appropriate • Keep • Keep clean, touch up with paint (but don’t paint the anodes)
SAFE LOADING The MSR requires that a person must not act as the master of a recreational vessel or a hire and drive vessel that is overloaded. Overloading is dangerous and seriously reduces the stability and seaworthiness of your vessel. A recreational vessel is overloaded if the number of persons on board the vessel exceeds the maximum number of persons specified by the manufacturer of the vessel on a capacity plate or an Australian Builder’s Plate (ABP). Or the number specified against the vessel length in the table below. Vessels with a fly bridge are prone to capsizing if the fly bridge is overloaded. Unless specified by the manufacturer, the maximum number of people can be carried in a recreational vessel is represented in the table below. LENGTH OF VESSEL MAXIMUM PASSENGERS* Less than 3 m Two people 3 m to less than 3.5 m Three people 3.5 m to less than 4.5 m Four people 4.5 m to less than 5 m Five people 5 m to less than 5.5 m Six people 5.5 m to less than 6 m people Note: a child up to and including one year of age does not count for the purpose of calculating maximum passengers each over one year and under 12 years equals half an adult on recreational vessels with individual cockpits (for example, decked canoes or kayaks), the number of persons carried on the vessel must not exceed the number of individual cockpits, irrespective of the age of the person. *WARNING: This is the maximum carrying capacity for good conditions. A reduction in the maximum number of persons must be made in adverse conditions or when on the open sea. Capacity of a person is assessed at 75 kg per person with an additional allowance of 15 kg per person for personal gear. A reduction in the number of persons must be made when equipment and supplies exceed weight allocated.