Chaparral 420 PREMIERE, Owner'S/Operator'S Manual

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INSPECTION, SERVICE AND
MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL
Bilge Area
Your boat’s systems have important features locat-
ed in the bilge area. Check the bilge before you use
your boat every time! A comprehensive inspection of
the bilge area will help you become familiar with
these critical features. For example, if engine oil
leaks and fuel system leaks appear as contamina-
tion on the surface of the liquid that remains in the
bilge, you should look for its source.
At least once or twice a year, run the bilge until the
pump is dry. Remove all sand, silt, dirt, and foreign
material. Make sure all limber holes are open and
strainers are clean. (Limber holes are the openings
in the stringers that allow water to flow from the out-
board areas of the bilge to the bilge sump.)
Check the bilge pump float switch by moving it man-
ually. (See Chapter 5, Figure 5.1.) The bilge pump
should start when the float switch is raised and
should stop when lowered. If this doesn’t happen,
try resetting the bilge pump breakers. If the pump
will still not start, replace the float switch before
using your boat. The float switch should also move
freely without sticking. If it does not, have it serviced
or replaced before boating.
Important: Pumping fuel or oil overboard into
the water violates the Federal Clean Water Act.
Pump into suitable container and dispose of
properly.
Oil
If oil contamination exists, look for leaks in engine oil
lines and engine gaskets. If parts of the bilge have
been stained by oil, the stain can be removed using
a bilge cleaner available from your dealer or a
marine store.
Engine
Refer to the engine owner’s manual for detailed
information about engine maintenance and repair.
That manual has a maintenance and service sched-
ule for the engine on your boat.
Engine failure or malfunction, when away from
shore, can be dangerous. Make certain that you do
the following each time you use the boat:
• Wipe off the engine to remove any dust, grease,
and oil.
• Inspect all exposed nuts, bolts and screws for
tightness.
• Check the belts for wear and tear. If they do not
require replacement, check and adjust the belt
tension according to the engine manufacturer’s
recommendation.
• Examine the engine wiring, and clean and tight-
en the terminals on the engine electrical system.
• Clean and lubricate the battery cables.
• Refer to your Engine Operator’s Manual for
additional engine maintenance requirements.
Fuel System
The fuel system must be inspected frequently and
maintained regularly. The fuel system provides a
clean, continuous supply of fuel to the engine, in
addition to helping prevent possible fire and explo-
sion. Check for leaks and/or vapors and repair any
problems immediately. Keep the fuel tank filled dur-
ing the boating season to prevent moisture from
condensing in the tank.
• Check the entire fuel system for evidence of
leakage, including the fuel tank fill lines and
vents. A stain around a joint could be an indica-
tion of a leak.
• Test all fittings with a wrench to be sure they are
not loose, but do not forcefully over-tighten the
fittings.
• Clean fuel filters and vent screens periodically.
9-4
WARNING: Never use any flammable solvents
for cleaning the bilge. Check with your Chaparral
dealer for recommended cleaners.