MARLOW-HUNTER MH31, Operator'S Manual

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Getting Underway
13.4
Ensure your radio is operating properly and under-
stand emergency communication procedures.
Ensure all rigging and sails are installed and ready
for use (refer to the Sails & Rigging section in this
manual).
After the engine reaches operating temperature,
accelerate the engine to 2000 RPM’s. Check that
the voltmeter on the DC Panel reads 13 to 14.5 volts
for both batteries.
Check wind, tide and current to determine the best
way to maneuver your boat away from the dock.
Cast off mooring lines.
At low speed, check that gauges, indicators and
alarms are normal. Check that sufficient cooling
water is being discharged from the exhaust outlets
on the transom.
Shift your boat’s engine into forward or reverse,
depending on whether you want to move the bow
or the stern away from the dock first. Your engines
should be running at a slow speed as you move away
from the dock.
Once your boat is in open water, you can safely
accelerate to cruising speed. Advance throttle to the
setting which provides your desired engine speed
(RPM’s).
WARNING
! !
Using a damaged or improper cord for shore power
can cause electrical shock and serious injury. Use a
cord specifically designed for shore power connec-
tion. Do not use a household extension cord.
CAUTION
! !
Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Keep
shore power cord out of water. Do not operate any
AC device while you, or the cord, are in the water.
To prevent injury or equipment damage, keep all AC
electric system components dry.
WARNING
! !
DO NOT disconnect the shore power cord to the
boat first. You could accidentally drop the cord into
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the water, which may result in electrical shock and
serious personal injury.
13.4.1 Getting Ready to Sail
NOTE: This is not intended to provide a complete guide on
sailing. The ‘art’ of managing a sailboat in all weather, tidal and
day/night conditions can not be taught by reading even the best
instruction book. If you are not proficient in handling sail boats,
please refrain from handling this boat and obtain professional
training and certificates, some of which might be required for
you to navigate your boat in certain areas or countries.
Power into the wind.
Raise and/or unfurl sails, beginning with the main
and then the jib.
Once each halyard, is tensioned by the winch, the
halyard can be locked down into its respective sheet
stopper and the halyard removed from the winch,
freeing the winch for the next halyard or sheet.
However, care should be taken not to inadvertently
open the rope clutches, since the sails will lower rap-
idly if this is done.
When the sails are raised, the boat can be laid off
and the engine turned off.
Once the main is sheeted in and you are sailing
upwind, confirm the main topping lift position has
some slack so the main can be capable of sheeting
in hard without the topping lift being tight.
Be sure to retighten the topping lift before lowering
the main.
After a day of sailing, the sails should be lowered or
furled in while again powering into the wind, with the
jib furled in first and then by lowering or furling the
main.
Protect your conventional mainsail by covering it with
the sailcover, if applicable.
13.3.2 Tuning the Rig
If this is your initial sailing excursion, the mast should be
tuned. (Generally, tuning the mast is performed by an
experienced commissioning agent.) Please refer to the
Sails and Rigging section in this manual for instructions
on tuning the mast.
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