Meridian 490 Pilothouse, Owner'S Manual

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Chapter 7: Deck Equipment 490 Pilothouse • Owner’s Manual
56
Important Davit Operation Guidelines
•
Inspect the davit and cable before each
use. Never use the davit if the cable is
frayed, corroded or damaged.
•
Never use the davit without the headache
ball attached and suspended. The head-
ache ball prevents uncoiling and snarling
of the cable on the drum.
•
Know the total weight being lifted and Do
Not Overload! The davit is designed to
lift dinghies or other small watercraft with
maximum weights of 750 pounds includ-
ing engine, fuel, and any lifting gear used
on/with the dinghy.
•
Rig your dinghy so that it launches and
recovers level with the waterline. Never
lift your dinghy when it is off-balance.
•
Only use chocks specifically designed for
your dinghy. Contact your dealer or sup-
plier for chocks or other dinghy supports
that best fit your needs.
•
After your dinghy is safely back onboard, immediately secure it to the deck.
Dinghy Launching & Retrieving
Launching
1. Turn the davit breaker On. The davit breaker is located on
the battery management panel inside the cabinet in the
port aft corner of the salon.
2. Remove all tie down straps and any gear stowed inside the
dinghy. Pump out any water, and insert the drain plug (if
equipped).
3. If equipped, tilt the outboard motor to the Up position.
NOTE: Keep the outboard tilted Up until the dinghy is
safely in the water and the lifting bridle has been removed.
4. Attach bow and stern lines to the dinghy to help control
the dinghy during launch and recovery.
5. Securely attach the lifting bridle to the lifting points inside
the dinghy.
6. Assign one person to handle the bow and stern lines.
7. Plug the davit remote control into the deck outlet. The
plug is indexed and will only go into the outlet one way.
Never force the plug into the outlet.
8. Raise the davit arm into the Loading position by removing the locking pin from the Storage position hole (top
hole), then lift the davit arm until you can slide the locking pin into the bottom hole. NOTE: Regularly grease the
locking pin to help the pin slide smoothly into and out of the holes. If necessary, use a rubber mallet to help
loosen the pin or to drive the pin into the holes.
9. Slowly rotate the davit arm over the dinghy.
10. Lower the cable by pressing the Out button on the remote control.
11. Attach the lifting bridle to the weighted cable hook.
DAVIT
HEADACHE BALL
BRIDLE
CHOCK
DINGHY
CABLE
CABLE HOOK
PAD EYE
LOCKING PIN
CABLE HOOK
Two people are needed for many of the steps listed in this section.
NOTI CE
REMOTE CONTROL
TIE DOWN
HANDLING LINE
(TYPICAL BOW
& STERN)
STRAPS
(TYPICAL)
DECK OUTLET
LOCKING
PIN