BENETEAU First 18, Assembly Manual

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WARNING: Never transport the boat on the trailer with the keel completely lifted. Keel needs to rest
on the trailer during the transport. Transport of the boat with completely lifted keel will damage
system components.
First, check that the boat is in the centre of the trailer and that the keel is aligned with the resting
pad. On this point also check there is rubber or some other protective material on the resting pad,
which will protect the keel from damage during the transport.
Lower the keel until there is no more tension on the keel winch and make sure you leave keel winch
locked during the transport.
2. Danger from overhead power lines, trees or other obstacles
Before rigging and moving your boat, observe the location of overhead power lines and
trees. These obstacles can damage your boat are potentially dangerous to yourselves.
Remember that carbon fibre is an electric conductor.
3. Proper closing of the entrance and inspection hatch
Always secure black hard entrance cover with the supplied cable and check white plastic
inspection hatch on the cockpit floor at the stern is completely closed. Both tend to open and
detach while on the road and represent a danger for the vehicles behind you.
4. Strapping the boat for the transport
a) Use protection foam on all the places where straps are touching the boat or the mast. That's
even more important in case the hull is wrapped with the sticker. In this case, you need to
add smooth textile between the pad and the strap, to prevent forming of wrinkles.
b) The front strap needs to be positioned perpendicular on the deck. Attaching straps under any
other angles will result in losing the tension.