Malibu Boats 21 VLX, Owner'S Manual

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2020 Malibu Boats LLC • Owner’s Manual • Page 171
som and a T-handle drain plug in the center of
the boat. The ½” drain plug can be accessed
outside the boat, directly under the swim
platform on the center back of the transom.
The T-handle can be accessed inside the boat
through the center access. Be certain to read
the above information regarding
SECURELY
installing drain plugs prior to all outings.
The transom plug is located in the center
of the transom at the bottom edge.
The bilge system plugs should be removed at the conclusion of any boating
outing in which the boat is removed from water. This assists in the draining
process. Malibu recommends keeping the handles stored in a designated stor-
age compartment on a routine basis so that they are always easy to locate
prior to the next outing. Never launch a boat without ALL the drain plugs reinstalled; this should be part
of the routine checks prior to launching the boat into the water. Failure to reinstall the drain plugs will
result in water entering the bilge system and can sink the boat.
Automatic bilge systems require a small amount of electrical charge, which
is drained from the battery or batteries on-board. Eventually, the battery
could become fully discharged, which means that the automatic bilge will
no longer work. If the boat is left in a body of water during this period and
water continues to enter the bilge system, water is not drained. This could lead to damage to components
in the bilge and potentially to the rest of the boat. Such damage is not covered under warranty. Therefore,
if a boat will be left unattended for a period of time, owners/operators should make regular checks of the
system to ensure that the battery retains a charge.
During storage or winterization, the batteries should be removed. This will cause the automatic bilge system
to be temporarily inoperable. This adds to the importance to never leave the boat in a body of water without a
fully charged battery installed.
Because of the frequent use of the bilge pump and its importance to the safe operation of the boat, the bilge
pumps, which are located in the center bilge area below the pie plate and engine (aft) area, should be checked
by an authorized Malibu dealer as part of an annual maintenance routine.
If the bilge system is not operating properly when a boat is launched, DO
NOT continue with the outing. If the bilge system ceases to function proper-
ly during an outing, have all persons on-board put on a PFD if they are not
already wearing one. Return to shore immediately and disembark. Without
a properly functional bilge system, the boat is in danger of sinking, placing all on board at serious risk.