Utah Safe Boating Course

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Index

CHAPTER 1: The Boat

1.1 BOAT TERMINOLOGY

Specific terms are used to describe the various parts of a boat. Each end and side of the boat, its length and width, and its accessories have specific terms. Every boater should be familiar with the following terms before operating a boat.

1.2 BOAT LENGTHS

Boats are identified in classes by length. Federal and state laws require certain equipment aboard boats, depending on the class or length of the boat.

A boat's length is measured along its centerline from the outside of the bow to the outside of the stern. This measurement does not include any attachments, such as swim platforms or wakeboard towers or outboard engines.

Class A: Less than 16 ft.

Class 1: Between 16 and 26 ft.

Class 2: Between 26 and 40 ft.

Class 3: Between 40 and 65 ft.

1.3 BOAT HULL DESIGNS AND USES

Boat bottoms or "hulls" come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each hull type is designed to either displace or plane through the water. Sailboats and large cruise ships use displacement hulls because the combination of their size (weight) and power they will not allow them to plane. On the other hand, smaller powerboats are typically built with planing hulls that are designed to rise up and ride on top of the water at higher speeds than displacement hull boats.

1.3.1 HULL TYPES

FLAT BOTTOM

Flat bottom boats are great for fishing. They are generally designed for slow speeds and calm water.

ROUND BOTTOM

Round bottom boats, such as canoes, move smoothly through the water with little effort. Boaters must be cautious when loading, entering and exiting a round bottom boat. Due to the hull design, these boats roll very easily.

DEEP-V HULL

The Deep-V hull is the most common hull type for powerboats. These boats move through rough water at higher speeds and give a smoother ride than flat bottom or round bottom boats. They also require larger engines than flat bottom or round bottom boats.

MULTI-HULL

Multi-hull boats are the most stable of the hull types. These boats require plenty of room to steer and turn. Catamarans and pontoon boats use the multi-hull design.

1.3.2 ENGINE TYPES

OUTBOARD

Outboard engines are mounted on the transom of the boat. The steering of outboards can be controlled by a hand tiller or a steering wheel, which moves the entire engine when steering is adjusted.

In the past outboards were typically two-stroke engines, but manufacturers have since switched to four-stroke engines. Two-stroke engines require oil to be mixed with gasoline to lubricate the engine and four-stroke engines require the oil and gasoline to be separate. Four-stroke engines, in addition to running quieter and smoother, are more environmentally friendly as the exhaust they emit is virtually smokeless compared to two-strokes.

Inboard

Inboard engines are typically four-stroke automotive engines that are modified for use on the water. An inboard engine is mounted inside the hull of the boat and powers the driveshaft, through the boat bottom, which is connected to a propeller. Steering is controlled by a rudder, positioned either directly behind or to the side of the propeller.

Stern Drives

Sterndrives are sometimes called inboard/outboards (I/O) because they have features found on both inboard and outboard engines. Similar to inboards, sterndrives use four-stroke automotive engines that are modified for use on the water. Sterndrive engines are mounted inside the boat through the transom, and power the drive train, which is connected to the propeller. Similar to outboards, the sterndrive moves when the steering wheel is adjusted.

1.4 BOAT CAPACITIES

Be aware of the small-vessel regulations pertaining to engine power and load capacity. Federal law mandates that boats of less than 20 feet in length must have a capacity plate in the steering or helm area. As a boat owner or operator, you should know the recommended gross load capacity that can be safely carried in the hull concerned:

It includes the total weight of persons, equipment, stores, fuel, engine assembly and steering controls.
It is indicated with the "equivalent number of adult persons."
It is indicated on a capacity plate, which, when fitted, is permanently attached to the pleasure craft.

THE CAPACITY PLATE ALSO INDICATES THE "RECOMMENDED SAFE LIMITS OF ENGINE POWER" FOR THE HULL CONCERNED. IT MAY NEVER BE EXCEEDED. THIS CALCULATION IS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDED GROSS LOAD CAPACITY FOR OUTBOARD POWERED BOATS ONLY.

1.4.1 OVERLOADING OR OVER-POWERING

An overloaded boat or over-powered boat can be extremely dangerous. An over-powered boat may cause the stern to sit lower in the water, making the vessel susceptible to being swamped by its own wake or that of a passing boat. Similarly, too much weight in the stern or the bow will make the vessel prone to swamping. Additionally, it is important to spread the load evenly throughout the vessel. Too much weight on either side will make the vessel less stable and more apt to capsize. Take extreme caution in loading your vessel properly.

BEWARE OF BAD WEATHER! TAKE MUCH LIGHTER LOADS IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS TO ENSURE BOAT STABILITY.

1.4.2 SAFE LOADING GUIDELINES (FOR SMALL BOATS)

To determine the maximum horsepower capacity for small, flat-bottomed boats, multiply the boat length (ft.) by the transom width (ft.) and compare the resulting value to the following chart:

EXAMPLE
BOAT LENGTH = 12 FT.
BOAT WIDTH = 4FT.
12 FT. X 4 FT. = 48
MAX HP OF 15

LENGTH X WIDTH =	MAX HP
35 FT OR LESS	3
36 - 39 FT	5.5
40 - 42 FT	7.5
43 - 45 FT	10
46 - 52 FT	15

1.4.3 PERSON CAPACITY

Manufacturers take a number of variables into account when determining the maximum person capacity for a boat (which is displayed on the capacity plate). The maximum person capacity is a guideline. Keep in mind that most manufacturers assume an average weight per person of 150 lb. If you have passengers over 150 lb., you should adjust the maximum person capacity accordingly.

1.5 HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (HIN)

All pleasure craft manufactured since 1972 are permanently marked with a Hull Identification Number (HIN), which is the 12-character serial number of your vessel. To identify your vessel, HINs are marked at the stern on the starboard (right) side, or as close to that area as possible. You must NOT deface or alter the HIN.

THE HIN INDICATES THE BOAT'S

Manufacturer
Serial number
Month and year of production

1.6 BOAT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

1.6.1 BOAT REGISTRATION AND NUMBERING

All powered boats must be registered. Some other boats must be registered as well.

FEDERALLY DOCUMENTED VESSELS

Large recreational boats can be federally registered with the U.S. Coast Guard.

RECIPROCITY REGULATIONS

All states allow boats registered in another state to operate on state waters for a period of time. Eventually, owners must transfer boat registration to the state of principal use.

1.6.2 UTAH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

UTAH STATE PARKS AND RECREATION (USPR)
The USPR is responsible for regulating the state boating laws in Utah.

1.6.2.1 REGISTRATION/TITLING

Sailboats and any vessel equipped with a motor, whether gas or battery powered, must be registered and numbered, unless exempt as noted below. A person may not place, or give permission for the placement of, a motorboat or sailboat on any waters of this state or operate or give permission for the operation of a motorboat or sailboat on the waters of this state, unless the motorboat or sailboat is registered. The following are exempt from this requirement:

Sailboards
Vessels that have been registered in another state and only using Utah state waters for no more than 60 days.

Vessels owned by Utah residents but registered out-of-state must be registered in Utah if they are used on Utah waters.

U.S. Coast Guard documented vessels must register in Utah if they are used on Utah waters. This includes the proper display of both the Month of Expiration Decals and the Yearly Registration Decals.

The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles will issue titles for boats manufactured in 1985 or after. The following are not required to be titled:

Boats that were built before 1985.
Boats with motors less than 25 horsepower.

1.6.2.2 CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP

Boat owners must keep their Certificate of Ownership in a safe place.

NOTE On the reverse of the Certificate of Ownership there is an application for the transfer of ownership.

1.6.2.3 REGISTRATION CARD

Upon receipt of the Registration Card please note the following:

It must be carried onboard when operating the vessel.
It is valid for one year and expires on of the last day of the month it was registered of the following year.
The DMV must be notified within 15 days if the boater changes residences.

Please note that the sale, transfer, destruction or abandonment of a motorboat or sailboat terminates its registration.

The Registration Card, validation decals and title may all be obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to the Utah DMV.

1.6.2.4 REGISTRATION FEES

The annual registration fee is $25.00 plus a $0.50 search and rescue surcharge designated to go to your county of residence/registration. $4.00 of this registration fee is allocated to the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles for processing the vessel's registration. The remaining $21.00 is allocated to Utah State Parks and Recreation to fund Utah's Boating Program.

The assigned Bow Number must be displayed on the forward half of the vessel, either painted on or affixed to the hull.

The Bow Numbers must be plain, one color, vertical, block characters at least three inches in height that read from left to right. They must contrast with the background color of the hull and be distinctly visible and legible from a distance of approximately 150 feet. Spaces or hyphens, equal to the width of a letter, must separate the number and letter groupings.

The assigned Bow Number consists of the prefix letters UT, four numbers and two suffix letters. For example: UT 1234 BX or UT-1234-BX.

The Yearly Registration Decals must be displayed three inches aft (towards the stern) of the Bow Number on each side of the boat. The Month of Expiration Decals must be displayed immediately aft (towards the stern) of the Yearly Registration Decals.

On documented vessels, the Yearly Registration Decals and the Month of Expiration Decals shall be displayed on each side of the forward half of the vessel.

On boats where the placement of the Bow Number, Yearly Registration Decals and Month of Expiration Decals on the hull or superstructure would not be visible or where the type of hull material used would make it impractical to permanently attach, the Bow Number, Yearly Registration Decals and Month of Expiration Decals may be mounted on a backing plate and displayed as described above.

1.6.2.5 UTAH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

All motorboats, including PWC, must carry proof of liability insurance while in operation on Utah waters. The minimum liability insurance requirements are $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury/death, $15,000 property damage, and/or a combined $65,000 per accident. Boats equipped with a motor of less than 50 horsepower are exempt from this requirement.

A non-Utah resident with his/her boat registered in their home state must meet their home state's insurance requirements. If their home state does not have an insurance requirement, they are exempt from this requirement if the boat is in Utah for less than 90 days a year. Utah State Parks and Recreation recommends all boat owners to carry liability insurance for their boats.