Everglades 455 CC, Owner'S Manual

Page: 168 / 200

168
Seasonal Maintenance
Lifting
It is essential that care be used when lifting your
boat. Use only proper spreader bars and slings
in the proper location to lift this boat. Never use
the transom or bow eyes to lift the boat.
Make sure the spreader bar at each sling is at least
as long as the distance across the widest point
of the boat that the sling will surround. Put the
slings in position. Sling labels on the gunnels just
above the rubrail identify the correct position for
the lifting slings. The fore and aft slings should
be tied together to prevent the slings from sliding
on the hull.
CAUTION
BOATS CAN BE DAMAGED FROM IMPROPER LIFTING AND
TRANSPORTING WITH FORK LIFTS. CARE AND CAUTION
MUST BE EXERCISED WHEN TRANSPORTING A BOAT WITH A
FORK LIFT. NEVER HOIST THE BOAT WITH A SUBSTANTIAL
AMOUNT OF WATER IN THE BILGE.
SEVERE GEL COAT CRACKING OR MORE SERIOUS HULL
DAMAGE CAN OCCUR DURING HAULING AND LAUNCHING
IF PRESSURE IS CREATED ON THE GUNWALES (SHEER) BY
THE SLINGS. FLAT, WIDE BELTING SLINGS AND SPREADERS
LONG ENOUGH TO KEEP PRESSURE FROM THE GUNWALES
ARE ESSENTIAL. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO HAUL YOUR
BOAT WHEN THE SPREADERS ON THE LIFT ARE NOT WIDE
ENOUGH TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF THE GUNWALES.
WARNING
NEVER LIFT BOAT WITH THE TRANSOM OR BOW EYES.
THESE FITTINGS ARE NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED FOR
LIFTING. SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE HULL WILL OCCUR IF
THE BOAT IS LIFTED BY THE TRANSOM AND BOW EYES.
Supporting The Boat For Storage
A trailer, elevating lift, well-made cradle or proper
blocking is the best support for your boat during
storage.
When storing the boat on a trailer for a long
period:
• Make sure the trailer is large enough to properly
support your boat and that it is rated to support
the weight.
• Make sure the trailer is on a level surface and
the bow is high enough so that water will drain
from the bilge and cockpit.
• Make sure the engines are in the down position.
• The trailer must properly support the hull. The
bunks and rollers should match the bottom of
the hull and should not be putting pressure on
the lifting strakes.
• Make sure the hitch is properly supported.
• Check the tires once each season. Add enough
air for the correct amount of inflation for the tires
as necessary.
Notice:
Read the owner’s manual for the trailer for the
correct amount of inflation for the tires.
When storing the boat on a lift or cradle:
• The cradle must be specifically for boat storage.
• Make sure the cradle or lift is well supported with
the bow high enough to provide proper drainage
of the bilge and cockpit.
• Make sure the engines are in the down position.
• The cradle or lift must be in the proper fore and
aft position to properly support the hull. When
the cradle or lift is in the correct location, the
bunks should match the bottom of hull and
should not be putting pressure on the lifting
strakes.
CAUTION
BOATS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY TRAILERS, LIFTS AND
CRADLES THAT DON’T PROPERLY SUPPORT THE HULL.
ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE BUNKS AND ROLLERS ARE
ADJUSTED SO THEY ARE NOT PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE
LIFTING STRAKES AND ARE PROVIDING ENOUGH SUPPORT
FOR THE HULL. HULL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM IMPROPER
CRADLE OR TRAILER SUPPORT IS NOT COVERED BY THE
EVERGLADES WARRANTY.
When supporting the boat with blocking:
• Make sure the boat is blocked on a level surface
and the bow is high enough so that water will
drain from the bilge and cockpit.
• Make sure the keel is supported with large, solid
wood blocks in at least three points.
• Use at least three heavy duty jacks on each side
of the hull and make sure the boat is level from
side to side. The jacks must be on a solid surface
like packed gravel, concrete or pavement. All of
the supports must be set up properly to prevent
the boat from shifting while it is in storage.