For the new members

You will not be able to check the boat out until you get cleared by an existing member. You need to be tested on how to load and unload the boat and where the bad spots are on the lake. It is Mandatory that club members go through a swimming test, go over boating scenarios and get tested on boating procedures before they are allowed to get out on the boat.

Boat Checkout

Check-out goes through the president by e-mail. The key that you are issued DOES NOT give you the right to go out to the boat at anytime you want, you MUST have the boat checked-out to take it onto the lake. If you want to check the boat out, you should e-mail the president at least 1 day in advance to insure the email is received soon enough. The president checks his e-mail 2X a day, once around noon and once in the evening. There will be very few if any checkouts that happen on the spot. You may check the boat out 48 hours in advance but no more than that unless it is a special case such as your parents are in town to visit you.

Before taking the boat on the water

1. Pay you dues: They are only $50! This is less than the cost of one hour of maintenance on the boat
2. Have a 2" hitch for the trailer
3. Put the plug in the boat or it will sink
4. Lock the storage compartment and leave gas tanks in there for next group to fill
5. Make sure to check the oil and all the fluids, etc.
6. Check the gas level (see below)

Gas level in the boat

The boat's gas is maintained at half a tank. Make sure the boat is at half a tank when you arrive and make sure when you are done to fill it back to half. If the boat is obviously below half a tank contact the president and notify him of the problem. Failure to leave the boat at half a tank will result in loss of membership

Starting the boat

1. Do not attempt to start the engine out of the water
2. There is a switch under the dash. You must turn it to the on position before you can crank the engine.
3. If there is still no power check the wires connected to the battery
4. Once the power is on put the key in and crank the engine
5. If the engine does not start after 5 seconds stop or you will risk flooding the engine. Try starting the engine in high neutral. Pull the small silver metallic knob out and put the boat into reverse until the lever is parallel to the floor of the boat. Now turn the key and slowly push the lever into idle. This should start the boat. If this does not work try varying the speed at which you push the lever up.

Taking the boat out of the water

1. Empty the fat sacs
2. Pull the boat out of the water
3. Turn off the power switch
4. Pull the plug
5. Put the boat back in slot 17
6. Scotch the tires
7. Unhook the trailer
8. Return all items except orange life jackets to the storage compartment
9. Clean the boat

Lake Rules

1. No drinking in the park or on the lake
2. There is no swimming at the lake.
3. Don't put gas in the boat while it is on the water. (Fineable $100)
4. Don't urinate in the water. (Fineable)
5. Speed limit is 40 mph. (Fineable)

Club Rules

1. Be safe and careful on the lake.
2. No smoking or drinking on the boat.
3. If there is a mechanical problem with the boat, contact the president directly. We try to get things fixed ASAP.
4. The only lake the boat goes on is Lake Wheeler.
5. The only storage spot the boat goes in is 17.
6. No one is authorized except the president to take the boat away from Lake Wheeler park
7. Don't annoy fishermen or sailors. Stay away as far away from them as possible. You won't win the battle against the park manager and we will find out about it.
8. Stay away from the shoreline; give at least a 70 meter buffer.
9. Stay out of the coves with the boat and don't go under the bridge.
10. You may bring a guest on the boat with you but, only once per semester.
11. CLEAN THE BOAT!
    Wipe the boat down when you are done using it with the towels that are out there at the lake. When the president goes out to the boat and checks on it, which he does frequently, and he finds it looking like it has been USED, not cleaned, not wiped down and trash in it, he will remove the boat from the lake for about a week or when he sees fit. The club and the school have put roughly $10,000 into the boat over the last 2 years to rebuild it, don't treat it like it is yours, treat it like it is a privilege to use it and not a right. Privileges can be taken away at anytime.