Robalo 2012 220, Owner'S/Operator'S Manual

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This chapter discusses the operation of your boat from the begin-
ning of a boating excursion to its end. We’d like to remind you to be
kind to our environment while you’re boating. Don’t throw garbage
and other refuse overboard. And do your best to keep harmful com-
pounds like gasoline and antifreeze out of the water.
Note: The term “engine” in this chapter means one or two
engines depending on how your boat is equipped.
Note: If your boat is equipped with a carbon monoxide detec-
tor, it should be tested to determine that it is functioning
properly every time you use your boat.
TRANSPORTING YOUR BOAT
A correctly selected trailer supports your boat properly, makes tow-
ing safer, and makes unloading and loading in varying weather
conditions easier.
Important: Improper trailering is one of the major causes for dam-
age to the hull. The warranty does not cover damage of this type.
The type and size of the side supports, or pads, are very important.
Side supports run lengthwise to the boat and parallel to the keel. Side
supports should only be tight enough to keep the boat from leaning
side to side. Any unnecessary pressure will damage the hull. Newer
trailers have self-adjusting side supports and a bow pad that can be
easily adjusted. These eliminate the need for manually adjusting side
supports and keel rollers every time you load your boat. Your Robalo
dealer can help you select the best trailer for your boat.
Inspect your trailer regularly to make sure the side supports are in
good working condition. Check bolts securing rollers and supports
from time to time to make sure they are tight.
The trailer should be designed and built to carry the full weight of
your boat, engine, and gear while providing support for the hull. Be
sure not to overload your trailer by loading the boat with excess
baggage, camping equipment, etc. Check the certification label on
the frame of the trailer. It is required to show the gross vehicle
weight rating. Be sure the total weight of your boat, engine, fuel,
gear, and trailer does not exceed this rating. Make sure your towing
vehicle has a hitch appropriate for the rating.
Distributing the weight on the trailer is important. Place the heaviest
items at the bottom of the boat over a roller or chock, and secure
them to keep them from shifting.
Balancing the load on the trailer is also important. If too much
weight rests on the hitch, the towing vehicle will oversteer, a condi-
tion that causes the front end of the vehicle to sway. Conversely, too
little weight on the hitch causes the trailer to fishtail. In both cases,
the vehicle will be difficult to handle and at higher speeds the sway-
ing or fishtailing can become uncontrollable and result in personal
injury and damage to the boat, trailer, or towing vehicle.
Weight on the hitch, or tongue weight, should be 5% to 10% of the
total weight of the loaded trailer to avoid overloading the tow vehicle
and to provide adequate pressure on the hitch ball. If the weight of
the loaded trailer is 2000 pounds, the weight on the tongue should
be between 100 and 200 pounds. A weight distributing hitch trans-
fers portions of tongue weight to a point between the front and rear
wheels of the towing vehicle and to the trailer wheels.
Important: Bumper hitches are not safe and are illegal in
many states.
All trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 1500 pounds or
greater are required by law to have brakes. (State laws may vary; be
sure to check your state’s requirements.) The brake system is usually
completely self-contained on the trailer and no hook-up is required to
UNDERWAY 5
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