Chaparral 246 SSI 2019, Owner'S/Operator'S Manual

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2019 246 SSI SPORT BOAT
Chaparral Boats, Inc.
chaparralboats.com
Steering a trailer while backing it up works the opposite of steering a
car. If the trailer needs to go to the right, turn the steering wheel to the
left and vice versa. Inexperienced backers tend to turn the wheel too far.
Do not over steer. Turn the wheel gradually until you get the feel of safe
backing.
Launching and Loading
The handling of your boat and trailer at the ramp requires practice, skill
and patience. With care and attention to the following tips, you can
launch and relaunch your boat with relative ease.
Important: Typically a beam of 8 feet 6 inches allows you to tow
without a special permit in most places. These boats are considered
“trailerable” for this reason. Other boats have wider beams and are
still “trailerable,” but, in most cases you need a permit to do so. Check
with your state on permit requirements before towing.
Roller Trailers – Launching and Loading
Chaparral recommends you follow the trailer manufacturer’s
guide ‐ lines for launching and loading your boat.
WARNING: If the winch handle slips out of your hand, let is spin. DO
NOT try to stop it
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 available,
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.
4. Tie a mooring line to the boat so you will have control once it is
floating.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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