Evinrude 4906B 4HP 1969, Owner'S Manual

Page: 385 / 422

10-4 MAINTENANCE
One of the advantages of an aluminum
hull is the easy maintenance program re-
quired, and the ability of the material to
resist corrosion.
As an added protection against marine
growth, the below the waterline area may
be painted with an anti-fouling paint. Bot-
tom paint sold for use on a wooden or
fiberglass hull is NOT suitable. At the time
of purchase, check to be sure the paint
contains the chemical properties required
for an aluminum surface. The label should
clearly indicate the intended use is specific-
ally for aluminum.
If the aluminum hull does not have anti-
fouling paint but requires cleaning to re-
move marine growth, one method is to rub
the hull with a gunny sack just as soon as
the boat is removed from the water and
while it is still wet. The roughness of the
sack is fairly effective in cleaning the sur-
face of marine growth, including crusta-
ceans (barnacles --for instance) that have
attached themselves to the hull. As soon as
the rubdown has been completed the hull
should be washed with high-pressure fresh
water.
If the rubdown and wash was not accom-
plished immediately after the boat was re-
moved from the water and the hull was
allowed to dry, it will be necessary to cover
the hull with wet blankets, gunny sacks or
other suitable material and to continue
Aluminum boat with the wooden seat removed ex-
posing the Styrofoam blocks for flotation. The seat
should
be
removed
at
least once each season and the
blocks thoroughly dried.
soaking the covering until the growth is
loosened. An easy alternate method, of
course, is to return the boat to the water, if
possible, and then too pull it out after it has
been allowed to soak.
If an aluminum boat should strike an
underwater object resulting in damage to
the hull and a leak develops, the only emer-
gency action possible is to make an attempt
to reduce the amount of water being taken
on by stuffing any type of available material
into the opening until the boat is returned to
shore. The aluminum cannot be reoaired
while it
is
wet. Repair of a damaged hull
must be performed by a shop equipped for
heliarc welding and other aluminum work.
Styrofoam blocks are installed under the
seats of all aluminum boats. The foam
blocks are designed for flotation to prevent
the boat from sinking even if it should fill
with water. Once each season, the wooden
seat should be removed and the foam allow-
ed to dry. Some manufacturers enclose the
foam blocks in plastic bags prior to intalla-
tion to protect them from moisture and loss
of their flotation ability. New blocks may
be purchased in a wide range of sizes. If
new blocks are obtained, make an attempt
to enclose the block in some form of plastic
covering, then seal the package before in-
stalling it under the seat.
10-5 BELOW WATERLINE SERVICE
A foul bottom can seriously affect boat
performance. This
is
one reason why racers,
large and small, both powerboat and sail,
are constantly giving attention to the condi-
tion of the hull below the waterline.
In areas where marine growth is preva-
lent, a coating of vinyl, anti-fouling bottom
paint should be applied. If growth has
developed on the bottom, it can be removed
with a solution of muriatic acid applied with
a brush or swab and then rinsed with clear
water. ALWAYS use rubber gloves when
working with muriatic acid and TAKE
EXTRA CARE to keep it away from your
face and hands. The FUMES ARE TOXIC.
Therefore, work in a well-ventilated area,
or if outside, keep your face on the wind-
ward side of the work.
Barnacles have a nasty habit of making
their home on the bottom of boats which ~
have not been treated with anti-fouling
paint. Actually they will not harm the
fiberglass hull, but can develop into a major
nuisance.