PREPARATION PROCEDURE FOR
BUMPER BOATS
WITH MERCURY MARINE ENGINES
Important: Review the engine manufacture’s operation manual completely before using this amusement device. Make certain the engine has been properly serviced according to manufacture’s procedure before starting. Note: Engine “break-in” period is required, refer to engine’s manual.
Step 1: Inflating Bumper Boat
Tube
The floatation tube is made of very durable and tuff PVC material. Because of the heavy wall thickness and material hardness, minimum air pressure is required. The tube should be inflated so that it feels firm to the touch. Never inflate the tube so that it feels “rock hard”. If a low range pressure gauge is available, it should be used to determine when the tube has been inflated to 2 ˝ -3 psi. NEVER INFLATE TO MORE THAN 3 psi.
Note: The nature of vinyl is to stretch to some degree based on the ambient temperature. After the initial inflating of the tube and the initial stretch, the air pressure will probably drop-off to 2 – 2 ˝ psi which is fine for operating the bumper boats.
Note: When first inflating the tube it should be laid out without any folds. It is important when the air nozzle is being applied that the valve is not twisted and that there is some separation between the wall thickness of the tube. Separating the wall thicknesses will allow the air to go into the tube and not be stopped inside by the opposite side of the tube.
Step 2: Assembly of Fiberglass Boat to the Tube
The insertion of the boat body into the center of the PVC tube will be a tight fit (especially the first few times). The fit is designed to be tight because of the nature of vinyl to stretch somewhat after initial use.
Lay the floatation tube on a flat surface with the valve stem facing up. Squirt a soapy water mixture around and inside of the tube and around the bottom of the fiberglass boat. Position the boat in the center of the tube and apply equal pressure on both sides of the boat (requires a minimum of two people) at the same time, forcing the boat down into the tube.
Note: The straighter the boat is pushed into the tube, the easier it will be to accomplish this procedure. The boat should be settled into the tube until the rim rests against the tube.
Step 3: Installing the Mercury Engine in the Boat
It is probably best to put the tube with the boat body into the water prior to installing the engine assembly. Remove (4) 3/8-16 wing nuts at the mounting hole in the floor of the boat. (Leave the (4) 3/8” split lockwashers on the mounting studs.)
While lowering the lower unit of the Mercury engine through the hole in the floor of the boat, align the (4) holes in the mounting bracket to the studs in the floor. Once in position, secure the bracket to the studs using the (4) 3/8"”16 wing nuts that were removed.
Note: Mounting bracket is resting on top of the split lockwashers. The wing nuts are against the mounting bracket.
Note: The proper position of the mounting bracket will have the rope tie facing out over
the front of the boat.
Step 4: Familiarization of the Mercury Engine
CAUTION: Refer to the Mercury Owner’s Manual on the engine for proper preparation procedure and safe operating concerns before starting the engine.
Points of
Concern
· When mixing the fuel, it is imperative to use a good grade of (2) cycle oil. To avoid problems and remain successful, use oil that carries a NMMA/BIA certified TC-3 designation.
· Be sure to lubricate swivel bracket assembly before using the boat. Use a good “water resistant grease”.
· Use fresh, stabilized unleaded gasoline with an Octane rating of 87 or higher. It is best to use fuel that does not contain ethanol or methanol.
Note: Gasoline containing alcohol has a tendency to absorb moisture from the air. Never use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol or 5% methanol.
OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR
BUMPER BOATS
IMPORTANT: Review the engine manufacturer’s operation manual completely before using this amusement device. Make certain the engine has been properly serviced according to manufacturer’s procedure before starting. Note: Engine “break-in” period is required, refer to engine’s manual.
CAUTION: All attendants involved in ride operation should be well informed and familiar with “Rules of Safe Operation,” engine characteristics and control functions of the bumper boats.
All boats should go through a Daily Checklist for inspection prior to making the boats available to the customers. Record keeping is important.
Step 1: The attendant should start the engine. Never allow the customers to start the engine. (Refer to starting the engine section of this manual.)
Step 2: Familiarize the rider to the two basic controls.
Throttle: Speed control is done using the spring loaded twist throttle grip. Throttle must be maintained. Release of the grip will cause the engine to go down to an idle speed.
Stop or Kill Switch: The Mercury engine is set up with a lanyard stop switch. The main purpose of the lanyard stop switch is to turn off the engine when the operator moves far enough away from the engine to possibly cause an accident. When the switch’s retaining clip is pulled out of the switch, the engine will shut down.
Step 3: Loading assistance of riders should be offered to avoid accidents due to slipping or falling. Before the ride starts the riders must be seated completely and “Rules of Safe Operation” and instructions should be thoroughly reviewed with the riders. Note: If the rider’s height is less than 12” greater than the water depth, a floatation life vest should be supplied to riders before they are allowed on the platform.
Step 4: When the rider is familiar with the boat’s operational functions and “ride rules,” the engine may be started. (Refer to engine’s manual for proper starting procedure.)
Step 5: Attendant should untie and release boats from the “loading platform” when the ride cycle is started.
Note: For safety reasons all riders should be seated completely before any boats are released.
Note: Bumper boats must be monitored at all times by ride attendant(s).
Step 6: When the ride cycle is complete, the rider(s) should be directed to return to available boat slips. Boats should be securely tied to “loading platform” by ride attendant(s).
Note: All boats should be tied to loading platform before any rider(s) are allowed to depart.
Step 7: Ride attendant should shut-off the engine and offer assistance to the departing riders to prevent the possibility of accidental slipping and falling.
Step 8: Ride attendant(s) should supervise that there are orderly and safe departures of all riders that have completed their rides before allowing any loading of boats with new riders.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE FOR
BUMPER BOATS
v Engine: Daily, routine and scheduled inspections and maintenance procedures are outlined in detail, consult the engine manufacturer’s manual. (Refer to specified manual.)
Daily Inspection
Required
v Floatation Tube: Tube should be visually inspected for cuts, leaks or potential leaks. Tubes are made of vinyl and should be cleaned frequently and a vinyl protector applied to protect the tube and keep it from getting hard.
v Fiberglass Boat: Visual inspection should be done that all fasteners are secure. Visual inspection as to the fiberglass structure to identify any cracks or rough surface areas that rider(s) might come into contact while in use of the boat.
v Mounts and Controls: Welds should be inspected (i.e.) handle bar, mounting bracket and guards. Fasteners should be checked for proper torque. Operational controls should be checked for proper functioning (i.e.) spring loaded throttle, kill switch and swivel bracket assembly. Greasing of swivel bracket. Use water resistant type grease.
Note: Routinely inspect that propeller guards are in place. NEVER … NEVER OPERATE BUMPER BOATS WITHOUT PROPELLER GUARDS.
Rules for Safe Operation
·
Thoroughly
read and understand operator manuals before operating Bumper
Boats.
·
Never
allow children or adults lacking proper instructions to operate Bumper
Boats.
·
Take
precautions against fire. Fire fighting equipment should be readily accessible
at the Bumper Boat activity.
·
Handle
fuel with care. Never fill the
engine’s fuel tank while the engine is running or hot.
·
Never
refuel the engines when riders are in the boats or near the refueling
area.
·
Wipe
clean any spilled fuel immediately.
Remove unused fuel from the fueling area before starting the Bumper Boat
engine.
·
Never
operate Bumper Boat engines in an enclosed area. Exhaust gasses contain carbon
monoxide. The gas can be deadly
when inhaled.
·
Operating
an engine at excessive speeds increases the hazard of personal injury. Do not tamper with parts, which may
increase governed speed.
·
Always
remove the spark plug or spark plug wire before working on the engine. This will prevent accidental starting of
the engine.
·
Make
a routine check that all nuts, bolts, screws and fittings are
tight.
·
Never
operate the engine with any of the guards missing or
incomplete.
·
Never
allow observers, swimmers or by-standers to be in the water while Bumper Boats
are operating.
·
Never
allow multiple riders in Bumper Boats that are not designed for more than one
rider.
·
Operators
of Bumper Boats should be tall enough to sit completely back in the seat with
their feet on the floor of the boat.
·
When
the rider’s height is not at least 12” greater than the water’s depth, a life
preserver should be provided.
·
Never
allow “Standing” or “Kneeling” in the Bumper Boats.
·
Unusual
or excessive noise should be checked immediately. Shut-off the engine an review all
components.
·
Maximum
rider weight capacity is 300 pounds.
·
No
food or drinks are allowed while in the Bumper Boats.
·
No
smoking is allowed while in or around the Bumper Boats.
·
Signs
must be posted stating that riders use the Bumper Boats at their own
risk.
·
Propeller
guards must always be in place when using Bumper Boats. If they are in the ride area, they must
have complete guard assemblies in place.
·
Signs
should be posted cautioning persons who are pregnant or have experienced back or
neck problems that they should not ride in the Bumper Boats. People with heart conditions should also
not ride in Bumper Boats.
·
Always
record and keep complete records and accident reports when they involve personal
injury. No matter how slight the
injury seems at the time, it could be crucial at a later
date.
