LARSON Bass User manual

© 2003-2018 Ken Cook Co. Bass l i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
Congratulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
About Your New Boat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Boat Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Hull Identification, Capacity and Safety Plates . . .1-2
References and Contact Information . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Boat Information Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
Tiller Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
Dual Console Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
Good Boating Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
Safety Decals and Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Safety Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Safety Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Carbon Monoxide (CO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Required Boating Safety Equipment and
Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16
Fire Extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
Engine Emergency Stop Switch and Lanyard. . .2-18
Life Jackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-19
Visual Distress Signaling Devices . . . . . . . . . . . .2-23
Audible Signaling Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-24
Navigational Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-25
Unapproved Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-25
Recommended Safety Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-26
Safety and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-27
Special Needs Passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-27
Seating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-29
Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio. . . . . . . . . . . .2-30
Cruising Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-31
Hazard Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-31
Water Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-32
Platform Dragging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-32
Water Sports Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-33

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Boating Regulations and Your Responsibilities . . . . . . . 3-1
Boat Owner / Operator Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Reporting Accidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Boating Under the Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Operator’s License and Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Operation By Minors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Emergency Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Negligent Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Restricted Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Security Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Naval Vessel Protection Zones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Commercial Shipping Safety Zones . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Bridges and Shipping Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
America’s Waterway Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Monofilament Fishing Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Wake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Shallow Water Boat Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Protecting the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
MARPOL Treaty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Paints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Cleaning Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Exhaust Emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Additional Proposition 65 Information . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
First Aid / Medical Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Emergency Preparation Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Using Distress Signal Devices and Calling for
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Requesting Assistance (Non-Distress Call) . . . . . . . . 4-2
Law of Salvage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

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Fire and Explosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Man Overboard (MOB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Capsizing and Flooding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Running Aground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
Dangerous Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
Engine or Boat System Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
Accidents, Collisions and Giving Assistance . . . . . . .4-7
Towing on the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Hurricane and Severe Weather Preparedness . . . . . .4-8
Protecting the Boat from Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9
Operating in Hazardous Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Severe Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Storm Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Fog Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Reduced Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Cold Weather and Cold or Frozen Water
Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Water Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Aquatic Vegetation/Weeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Dams and Spillways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Shallow Water Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Markers, Warnings and Advisories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Boat Flags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Harbor Flags and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
Navigation Rules and Aids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1
Right-of-Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1
The General Prudential Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1
Navigational Lights and Night Operation . . . . . . . . . .6-1
Audible Signals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2
Overtaking / Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3
Meeting Head-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4
Crossing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5
Aids to Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6
Buoys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6
Mooring Buoys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7
Daymarks / Dayboards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7
Lights and Lighted Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7

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Markers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Operating the Boat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Before Getting Underway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Safety Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Float Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Pre-Departure Safety Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Boarding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Boat Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Fueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Fuel Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Fuel Suppliers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Static Electricity and the Fuel System . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Fuel (Gasoline) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Before Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Fueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Refueling Built-In Fuel Tanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
After Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Outboard Engine Fueling Considerations. . . . . . . 7-8
Getting Underway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Accelerating and Running Underway . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Checks During and After Operation . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Power Trim and Tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Power Trim Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Docking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Mooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Anchors and Anchoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Lines and Knots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21
Trailering and Launching. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Legal Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Trailer Classification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Trailer Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Towing Vehicle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

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Vehicle Towing Hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-2
Hitch Ball and Trailer Coupler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-3
Safety Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-4
Trailer Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5
5-Pin Wiring Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5
Trailering Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
Backing Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9
Launching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9
Loading Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-11
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-12
Boat Features and Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1
Engine Lubrication System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2
Steering System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3
Shift and Throttle Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-4
Single-Lever Controls - Single or Twin Engine . . .9-5
Control Operation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-6
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-6
DC System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-7
Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-8
Propeller Selection and Replacement
Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-9
Dual-Prop Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-9
Gauges / Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10
Multi-Gauges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10
Speedometer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-11
Fuel Level Gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-11
Engine Water Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-11
Power Trim / Tilt Gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12
Engine Water Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . .9-12
Engine Hour Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-13
Oil Level Gauge (Outboard Engine Oil
Injection Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-13
Water Depth Gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-13

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Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Engine Warning Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Helm and Control Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Ignition Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Battery Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Engine Emergency Stop Switch and
Lanyard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Neutral Start Safety Switch (Start-in-Gear
Prevention) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Horn Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Boarding and Courtesy Light Switches . . . . . . . 9-16
Power Trim / Tilt Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Navigation Lights Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Bilge Pump Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Bilge Pump System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Boat Ventilation System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Raw Water System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Livewells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Manual Livewell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Recirculating Livewell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Remote Livewell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Livewell Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Electric Trolling Motor Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Trolling Motor Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Trolling Motor Control Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Fish Locators, Graphs and Depth Indicators. . . . . . 9-24
Fishing Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
General Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Circuit Breakers and Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Galvanic Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Saltwater Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Sacrificial Anodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Steering System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8

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Corrosion Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-10
Hardware, Fasteners and Fittings . . . . . . . . . . .10-10
Stainless Steel and Chrome Hardware . . . . . . .10-10
Aluminum Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-10
General Maintenance and Cleaning . . . . . . . . .10-11
Marine Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Hull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-12
Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-12
Canvas Covers and Bimini Tops . . . . . . . . . . . .10-13
Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-14
Windshield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-14
Window Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-14
Teak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-14
Bilge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-15
Bilge Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-16
Safety Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-16
General Boating Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-16
Trailer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-17
Winterization and Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-1
Winterization and Storage Preparation. . . . . . . . . . .11-1
Storing on a Cradle or Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-2
Storing on a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3
Recommissioning After Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3
Lifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-5
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
Glossary of Nautical Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-1
Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W-1
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1

© 2003-2018 Ken Cook Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
viii lBass
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© 2003-2018 Ken Cook Co. Bass l 1-1
Section 1
INTRODUCTION
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations and welcome aboard! To ensure each boating experience is a safe
and enjoyable one, please read all the literature provided with your newly
purchased boat carefully before operating the boat or any equipment.
Please keep this manual on board for future reference and pass all information
along to the new owner if you ever decide to sell the boat.
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
This manual has been written as a general guide to safe operating practices,
boating regulations and maintenance techniques for recreational boating. If this is
your first time owning or operating a boat, it is recommended that you contact the
boat dealer or local boating agency to find out how to enroll in a boater safety
course prior to operating the boat.
This manual is not intended to be used as a replacement for specific information
and procedures covered in manuals provided by the manufacturer of the engine,
accessories and other major equipment.
Because we are constantly working toward product improvement, this manual is
intended to be a general guide only. The illustrations used in this manual may not
match the equipment on the boat; they are intended only as general reference
views.

INTRODUCTION
SECTION
1
© 2003-2018 Ken Cook Co. 1 - 2 l Bass
ABOUT YOUR NEW BOAT
BOAT TERMINOLOGY
It is important that you understand, learn and use appropriate and common nautical
terminology while boating to ensure operator safety and the safety of others.
See the Glossary of Nautical Terms section of this manual for additional boating
terminology.
HULL IDENTIFICATION, CAPACITY AND SAFETY PLATES
Hull Identification Number
The hull identification number (HIN) is usually located near the upper starboard
corner of the transom on the outside of the boat. In some instances, the HIN may
be located in an alternate location as determined by the manufacturer (e.g., a
pontoon HIN may be located on the aft crossmember approximately 1 foot (0.3
meters) from the starboard hull attachment). The HIN must be clearly visible and
may not be removed, altered or tampered with in any way as regulated by federal
law.
FREEBOARD
BOW
DRAFT
GUNWALE
STERN
WATERLINE
AFT FORWARD
HELM
BEAM
TRANSOM
PORT
SIDE
STARBOARD
SIDE
KC-0071C-A
LENGTH OVERALL (LOA)