Missouri Boating License

Class 1

16 feet to less than 26 feet

Class 2

26 feet to less than 40 feet

Class 3

40 feet to less than 65 feet

What Is a Personal Watercraft?

A PWC is a small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than inside the vessel.

Planing-Displacement Mode

A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut through the water like a displacement hull.

personal watercraft

A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion, and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than inside the vessel

Measuring Length Overall

A vessel's length overall dictates the equipment the vessel must have to comply with federal and state laws. Length overall is measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern of the vessel. Bowsprits; rudders; outboard motors and motor brackets; handles; and other fittings, attachments, and extensions are not included in the measurement.

Jet drive

Jet drives use an engine to power a strong water pump which sucks up water and propels the PWC forward.Directing this jet steers the boat.

Freeboard

Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board

When on the road with a trailer you need to......

Drive cautiously and allow for the added length and weight of the trailer.

What should you remember when fueling?

Evaporating gasoline creates vapors or fumes that are heavier than air. These fumes settle to the bottom of the boat where they could explode if enclosed areas, such as the bilge, are not ventilated properly to remove fumes.

bow

Front of a vessel

bilge

Interior of the hull below the floorboards; lowest part of a vessel's interior where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom

Cleat

Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened

Things to remember about capacity plates

On outboard boats, the capacity plate also will display the recommended maximum horsepower rating of the boat. Your boat's motor should never exceed this rating.

What are the three positions on a fuel selector switch and when should they be used?

On-when you are underway Off-when the engine is off Reserve- when you are out of fuel so you can get back to shore

What is the rule of thirds?

One third of the fuel for the way out, one third for the way back, and one third for emergencies

Intake

Opening in the hull that draws water toward the impeller

Outboard Engines

Outboards have more power per pound of weight than do inboard engines. An outboard is a portable, self-contained package of an engine, gear case, and propeller that is attached to the transom of a boat. A growing number of outboard engines are of four-stroke design, but many are still conventional two-stroke engines that burn oil as a lubricant along with the fuel. New-technology two-stroke outboards are direct-injection engines and burn over 75% cleaner than conventional two-stroke outboards. Steering of outboard boats is controlled by a tiller or steering wheel that swivels the entire engine to direct propeller thrust.

What laws apply to PWCs?

PWCs are subject to all of the same laws and requirements of any other vessel plus a few laws specific to PWCs.

What do you need to know about launching a boat from a trailer?

Prepare to launch well away from the boat ramp so that you don't block ramp traffic. Transfer all equipment and supplies to the vessel. Disconnect trailer lights from the towing vehicle. Remove all tie-down straps before backing down the ramp but leave the trailer winch line securely attached to the vessel. Make sure the vessel's drain plug is in place. Tie a rope to the vessel's bow to use to control the vessel if necessary during launching.

Do not power load your boat because....

Propeller wash can erode the sediment just beyond the ramp surface, creating a large hole. The eroded sediment is deposited behind the propeller, creating a mound. Trailer tires can get stuck in these holes, and boats can run aground on the mound.

Gunwale

Upper edge of vessel's side (generally pronounced "gunnel")

What should you remember about trailers?

is very important to have proper lighting on trailers, including turn signals and tail and brake lights. Also make sure you have a jack that fits properly under the trailer—most car jacks are too large to fit under a trailer.

beam

Maximum width of a vessel

What is the equation (for boats less than 20 feet) for calculating the capacity?

(Boat Length (ft) (boat width (ft)/15

What should you do for a float plan for a short outing?

-Contact a responsible person before you go out and tell him or her where you will be boating and when you plan to return. -Give your contact the phone number for local authorities in case you fail to return when expected. -Contact this person again when you return or if you decide to extend your time out on the water.

What should your float plan include for longer outings?

-Describes the vessel, including its registration number, length, make, horsepower, and engine type. Includes the description and license plate of the tow vehicle and trailer. -Gives the number of passengers, their names and addresses, and a contact in case of emergency. -States where you are going, the detailed route, your planned departure time, and your expected return time. Include the location of all stopping points, dates, and times. -Gives the phone number for local authorities in case you fail to return when expected. If boating on waters under U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction, give the phone number of the U.S. Coast Guard.

What do you need to know before you go out on a PWC?

1. Read owners manual 2. Watch manufacturers video 3. Keep it maintained 4. Know and understand all local, state and federal boating laws. 5. Know all PWC specific laws.

What are the four basic parts of a sailboat?

1. The hull carries the passengers and supports the rigging. 2.The rigging includes many parts of the sailboat, such as the lines (sheets and halyards), mainsail, headsail (jib), boom, and mast. 3.The keel or centerboard is attached to the bottom of the hull and keeps the boat from sliding sideways through the water. 4.The rudder is used to steer the sailboat, turned by a tiller or steering wheel.

What are some things to remember when fueling a PWC?

After fueling, open the engine compartment before starting the engine and sniff to check for gas fumes. Check the entire fuel system for leaks and inspect fuel system connections frequently. Engine vibrations and the pounding from operating on rough water can loosen connections. Avoid fuel spills when fueling in or near the water. Do not tip the PWC in order to fill it all the way up. The tank is designed to leave space for the fuel to expand. If the tank is overfilled, the fuel may expand and spill into the water. After fueling, open the door of the engine compartment and sniff to check for any evidence of gas fumes. Do this before starting the engine. If you do smell gas fumes, determine the source and make repairs immediately.

Planing-Plowing Mode

As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow, reducing the operator's vision and throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that puts your boat in plowing mo

Hull

Body of a vessel

Draft

Depth of water needed to float a vessel

Steering nozzle

Device used for directing the stream of water to the left or right at the stern of the PWC, which steers the PWC

Impeller

Device used to pump and force water under pressure through a steering nozzle at the rear of the vessel

What should you do when fueling a boat?

Keep the nozzle of the fuel-pump hose in solid contact with the tank opening to prevent producing a static spark. Use caution and fill the tank slowly to avoid spilling fuel into the boat's bilge or into the water. Use an oil-absorbent pad to catch drips or spills. Never fill a tank to the brim—leave room for fuel to expand.

Port

Left side of a vessel

Length Overall

Length of the hull excluding any attachments

Class A

Less than 16 feet

Tiller

Lever used to turn a rudder to steer a boat

Sheets

Lines (ropes) used to control the angle of the sails to the wind

Halyards

Lines (ropes) used to raise and lower the sails

Capacity Plate

Look for a capacity plate near the operator's position or on the transom of the boat. This plate indicates the maximum weight capacity and/or the maximum number of people that the boat can carry safely in good weather. You should not exceed either the stated maximum weight capacity or the maximum number of people. Maximum weight is the combined weight of passengers, gear, and motors. In many states, it is a violation to exceed capacity. Federal law requires single-hull boats less than 20 feet in length to have a capacity plate. (However, PWC and sailboat manufacturers are not required to attach a capacity plate.) Always follow the recommended capacity found in the owner's manual and on the manufacturer's warning decal. Never exceed these capacity recommendations.

keel

Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that increases stability in the water

What should you do after fueling your boat?

Put the fill cap on tightly to prevent vapors from escaping. Wipe up any spilled fuel and properly dispose of the used paper towels or rags on shore. Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings. If your boat is equipped with a power ventilation system (exhaust blower), turn it on for at least four minutes before starting your engine. This will help eliminate fuel vapors in the bilge. Before starting the engine, sniff the bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapors. Continue ventilating until you cannot smell any fuel vapors. Consider installing a gas vapor detection and alarm device. Start the engine and then reload your passengers.

stern

Rear of a vessel

starboard

Right side of a vessel

Propeller

Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward

Intake grate

Screening cover over the intake, which prevents large debris from entering

Rudder

Steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the stern of the boat

What is considered a PWC?

The U.S. Coast Guard includes personal watercraft in the group of inboard vessels less than 16 feet in length.

Drive shaft

The long stem connection between the motor and the impeller

Coupler

The part of the trailer that attaches to the ball hitch on a towing vehicle

Hull-Displacement

There are two basic types of boat hulls—displacement and planing. Boats with displacement hulls move through the water by pushing the water aside and are designed to cut through the water with very little propulsion. If you lower a boat into the water, some of the water moves out of the way to adjust for the boat. If you could weigh that displaced water, you would find it equals the weight of the boat. That weight is the boat's displacement. Boats with displacement hulls are limited to slower speeds. A round-bottomed hull shape acts as a displacement hull. Most large cruisers and most sailboats have displacement hulls, allowing them to travel more smoothly through the water.

Hull-Planing

There are two basic types of boat hulls—displacement and planing. Boats with planing hulls are designed to rise up and glide on top of the water when enough power is supplied. These boats may operate like displacement hulls when at rest or at slow speeds but climb towards the surface of the water as they move faster. Boats with planing hulls can skim along at high speed, riding almost on top of the water rather than pushing it aside. Flat-bottomed and vee-bottomed hull shapes act as planing hulls. Most small power-driven vessels, including personal watercraft (PWCs), and some small sailboats have planing hulls, allowing them to travel more rapidly across the water.

What should you do before fueling a boat?

Tie the boat securely to the fuel dock. Ask all passengers to leave the boat and go onto the dock. Do not allow anyone in your group or others at the fuel dock to smoke or strike a match. Check to see that fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents are in good condition. Turn off anything that might cause a spark—engines, fans, or electrical equipment. Shut off all fuel valves and extinguish all open flames, such as galley stoves and pilot lights. Close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings to prevent fumes from entering the boat. Remove portable fuel tanks from the boat and fill them on the dock. Make sure that your fire extinguisher is within reach.

Swamp

To fill with water

Capsize

To on its side or completely over To turn on the side or turn completely over

What do you need to know about trailer safety chains?

Two strong safety chains should be crisscrossed to support the trailer's coupler if it becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle. The chains should be strong enough to hold the combined weight of the vessel, engine, and trailer.

Transom

Vertical surface at the back of the hull

Bunks

Wooden supports on which the vessel rests while on the trailer

What is important to remember about PWCs?

You need engine power to steer and control them.

Planing Mode

Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so that the hull glides on top of the water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds.