Chaparral 2009 Sunesta Wide Tech 224, Owner'S Manual

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Roller Trailers – Loading
When loading, always prepare for the procedure prior to reaching
the ramp. If the ramp is busy, preparation will shorten the time it
takes for you to get your boat out of the water.
Make sure your engine or drive unit is in the full position. Just as in
the launching procedure, do not put your trailer wheels or brakes in
the water, if possible. For the self-adjusting and centering rollers to
work properly, they must not be too far under water.
Unlock your winch and unwind enough cable/strap to attach the
hook to the bow eye of your boat. For safety, always keep at least
three turns of cable/strap around the winch drum. Never let your
cable/strap all the way out. Lock your winch before attempting to
wind the cable/strap in.
Fasten the boat to the winch line and start winding. Strong wind and
current can affect the automatic adjusting capability of your roller
trailer, so be aware of those conditions while loading. Optional load
guides can help you keep your boat centered in adverse conditions.
Pull the bow eye tight to bow roller or vee block. Connect the boat
bow safety chain and you are ready to drive to the loading/prepara-
tion area near the ramp to connect all other tie-downs, lighting or
electric brake connections, etc.
Bunk or Custom Trailers—Launching
Here are some tips to remember when you are putting your
Chaparral boat in the water:
Important: Before launching your boat, make sure the transom
drain plug is installed. If it is not installed, the bilge could fill
with water quickly.
1. Always prepare the boat for launching before you get to the
ramp. Stop in a launching prep area near the ramp that doesn’t
block traffic and remove your tie-downs, tilt up your engine or
drive unit, replace your transom drain plugs, etc.
2. Have someone at the ramp to give you directions. Slowly back
the trailer down the ramp to the water. If there isn’t a ramp avail-
able, use a solid area of ground to the shore, with a slope if
possible. Avoid wet, soft sand. Always remember to launch your
boat at a right angle to the shore.
3. Back the trailer down the ramp until there is enough water to
make the boat float. Because the bunks generate more friction
than rollers, you need to back the trailer further into the water.
• Tie a mooring line to the boat so you will have control once it
is floating.
• Unfasten the boat bow safety chain. Hold the winch handle
securely, reverse the winch lock and begin unwinding the
line. Unwind it slowly and carefully.
• On an average grade, the bunks on your trailer will allow
your boat to gently slip back and float into the water. If your
boat doesn’t immediately move, try unwinding about six
inches of line, lock your winch and give the boat a push.
Then unlock the winch and try again. If this doesn’t work,
you might try backing the trailer deeper, if possible.
• Care should be given when launching from trailers with
bunks that are equipped with plastic-like materials. These
materials make the bunk surfaces very slippery, and the boat
may begin to unload as soon as tension is released on the
winch cable/strap.
5-4
WARNING: If the winch handle slips out of your hand, let it
spin. DO NOT try to stop it