Section 1: Getting Started 13
Figure 1-29. Skiff (above)and Jon boat (left). Utility boats
include a wide variety of boats such as dinghies, rowboats,
skiffs (pointed one end, square on the other end), and
low-freeboard jon boats (square on both ends). These all-purpose
boats meet specific needs and conditions for their users.
These boats were originally designed to be rowed or paddled,
but many are powered by small outboard or electric motors.
Because they are small and light weight, they can be unstable
in the water and the boater must take extreme care when using
them.
Never install an outboard engine with greater horsepower
than specified on the Capacity Plate. Too much horsepower
can make the boat difficult to control and can be a
danger to you and others around you.
Figures 1-30 and 1-31. Personal watercraft
(PWC) (above) and jet boats (left) use
enclosed water-jet pumps as the primary
source of propulsion. The rider and passengers
are positioned on the hull of personal
watercraft, sometimes called a jet ski. Passengers
sit inside a jet boat. At high speeds, jetdrive
boats are more difficult to control than
other types of boats. Jet-powered boats range
from small high speed sport boats to large
cruisers that use jet drives as propulsion.