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

Page: 37 / 164

DOCKING / LIFTING / STORAGE OF
YOUR BOAT
Important: When operating or docking in close
quarters, maneuver your boat at idle speed.
Proceed with caution in congested areas.
As you approach the dock, reduce the speed of your
boat in time to allow your wake to subside before it
reaches other boats or docks. Check for wind or cur-
rents, and allow them to carry the boat toward the dock.
When approaching, check that lines are attached to
the cleats on the mooring side and that fenders are
lowered on that side. Be sure fenders are at the
proper height. If you can, have one person at the
stern and one person at the bow, each with a boat
hook and a mooring line attached to a cleat.
To dock a boat to the starboard side:
1. Approach at an angle approximately 45 degrees
to the dock.
2. When the bow is within a few feet of the dock,
bring the stern alongside the dock by turning it
hard to port.
3. Turn to starboard and, at idle speed, put the engine
in reverse to bring the stern closer to the dock.
Reverse these steps to dock to the port side.
Important: Cleats must not be used when lifting
the boat. They are only intended for docking and
mooring use.
Each boat has main frame components designed to
support the boat when it is being lifted out of the
water. When lifting your boat, always keep the bow
higher than the stern to drain the exhaust lines and to
prevent water from running to the manifold and into
the engine where it can get trapped. Just lifting the
stern when changing a propeller is not a better or
faster solution because this can cause water to enter
the engine cylinders, resulting in hydrostatic lock and
engine failure.
Severe gelcoat crazing or more serious hull damage
can occur if the lifting slings exert pressure on the
gunwales. Flat, wide belting-type slings and spread-
ers long enough to keep pressure from the gun-
wales should be used. Do not use cable-type slings.
The spreader bar at each sling should be as long as
the distance across the widest point that the sling
surrounds.
• Never hoist the boat with more than a minimal
amount of water in the bilge.
• Before lifting the boat, empty the fuel and water
tanks, especially if they have large capacities.
• Be sure to position the slings as indicated by the
diagram in Figure 3.1.
BOAT SPECIFICATIONS AND LAYOUT
3
3-1
SLING STRAPS
Figure 3.1 Proper Lifting and Storage