Meridian Yachts 490 PILOTHOUSE, Owner'S Manual

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Chapter 1: Welcome Aboard! 490 Motoryacht • Owner’s Manual
4
Special Care For Moored Boats
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Whether moored in saltwater or freshwater, your yacht will collect marine growth on its hull bottom.
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This will detract from the yacht’s beauty, greatly affect its performance and may damage the gelcoat.
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There are two methods of slowing marine growth:
1. Periodically haul the yacht out of the water and scrub the hull bottom with a bristle brush and a solution
of soap and water.
2. Occasionally re-paint the hull below the waterline with a good grade of anti-fouling paint.
Sacrificial Anodes (Zincs)
Your yacht features sacrificial anodes (zincs) to protect underwater metal parts from excessive deterioration.
Check the zincs regularly and replace them if they have deteriorated more than 70%.
There are many factors that affect the rate at which the zincs deteriorate, including:
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Water temperature
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Salinity
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Water pollution
Stray electrical current from the yacht or dock may cause complete deterioration in just a few weeks. If there is
rapid zinc deterioration, measure the electrolytic corrosion around your yacht with a corrosion test meter. If the
zincs are not bonded correctly, they will not provide protection.
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To help seal the hull bottom and reduce the possibility of gelcoat blistering on moored
boats, apply an epoxy barrier coating. The barrier coating should be covered with sev-
eral coats of anti-fouling paint.
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Many states regulate the chemical content of bottom paints in order to meet environ-
mental standards. Check with your local dealer about recommended bottom paints, and
about the laws in effect in your area.
NOTI CE
Do not paint between the zinc and the metal surface it contacts and do not paint over the
N OT I C E
NEW SACRIFICIAL ANODE DETERIORATED SACRIFICIAL ANODE