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Wooden skiff
Instructions for safety, maintenance and general use
Safety
This boat is intended solely for use in sheltered waters (ponds, lakes, canals and sheltered rivers).
Recommended maximum load: 150 kg
Recommended maximum horsepower: 2 (for boats fitted with 18mm transom)
This boat is not a toy; Children should always be supervised by adults and use appropriate safety equipment when on or near the water. Product may contain sharp edges.
Proper safety precautions should always be taken when on or around bodies of water. Some sensible precautions are: use of lifejackets, carrying a mobile phone or portable vhf, telling someone on shore where you are using the boat and when you will return, and checking the weather forecast, tidal flows, and river flows before you go out. Visit the RYA website www.rya.org.uk for more information. The maritime coastguard agency also provide useful information on safety www.mcga.gov.uk. Be especially wary when using small boats on rivers, weirs can be particularly dangerous and should be avoided at all times. Tidal rivers can change from slow to fast flowing very quickly and carry boats into danger. Beware of rivers after heavy rainfall, as they can carry flood debry, conceal obstructions, and be very fast flowing. Always be aware of other traffic on rivers, and take care to avoid collisions, beware of larger, heavier boats, which may have limited manouverability.
Maintenance
This boat is largely built from wood, and like all wooden boats it needs to be maintained properly in order to maximize its working life. The following are sensible ideas to protect your boat;
Hosing down the boat after use will help protect the paintwork.
Touching up chips and scratches in the paintwork will help protect the wood.
Prevent standing water from accumulating in the boat when not in use.
If keeping it outside the boat will need to be protected from the elements. Possible ways to do this include; storing it upside down, under a waterproof cover (properly supported to prevent water pooling), or vertically (tilted to prevent water accumulating at the base of the transom).
The life of the boat will be further extended by keeping it inside when not in use.
As a bare minimum the boat should be removed and upturned when not in use.
General use
The oars have leather guards, which are designed to sit on the rowlocks, and protect the oars from abrasion. The leather guards also have small leather straps, which can be placed over the outside of each rowlock, holding the oars in position. This allows the rower to take their hands off the oars, without them floating away. The straps should not be left over the outside of the rowlocks during general rowing, however. Carrying a spare oar or paddle in the boat is a sensible precaution, especially on rivers.
These sensible ideas will enhance your use of this boat;
Extra care should be taken when launching or removing the boat from the water, because this is often when small chips and cracks can occur.
Each seat is designed for one adult.
When your Skiff is being carried over land it should be supported from underneath.
The Skiffs can be comfortably carried by two average adults, Skiffs should be carried with one hand underneath the boat, and one hand over the top of the boat to secure it. Hands should not be placed on or below the brass corner pieces, as these may contain sharp edges.
Please note that outboard motors should only be used on skiffs which have the 18mm transom addition.
Please bear in mind that due to its size this vessel is not classified under the recreational craft directive, and manufacturers recommendations are intended as a guide only.
Produced by Simply Skiffs Limited, Salem Yard, Salem Place, Northfleet, Kent, DA119QA.
All customer/order details are held on file for customer service purposes. |
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