Wellcraft Cruisers Owner's Manual download pdf (Page 98)

If properly used and maintained, your boat will give

you years of use and enjoyment. By keeping your

boat “ship shape,” you will be doing more than

protecting your investment; you will also ensure

good performance and safety on the water.

When cold weather has arrived or a change in

your boat’s usage requires extended storage,

we suggest that you use the following guide-

lines. Special preparations are necessary to

prevent damage by rust and corrosion, mildew,

discharged batteries, and freezing water. If you

live in an area that does not require seasonal

storage, we recommend a thorough inspection

once a year.

IMPORTANT: Your warranty does not cover dam-

age to your boat if it is not properly stored and

winterized. We recommend that, at a minimum,

you check with your dealer about proper winteri-

zation procedures. Better yet, have your dealer

prepare your boat for storage for you.

LIFTING THE BOAT

Unless your boat is trailerable, have your dealer

or qualified marina personnel lift your boat out

of the water for you. Each boat has main frame

components designed to support the boat when

it is being lifted out of the water. Severe gelcoat

crazing or more serious hull damage can occur

if the lifting slings exert pressure on the gun-

wales. Flat, wide belting-type slings should be

used. Don’t use cable-type slings. The spreader

bar at each sling should be as long as the dis-

tance across the widest point the sling

surrounds.

• Never hoist the boat with more than a mini-

mal amount of water in the bilge.

• Empty fuel and water tanks, especially if

they have large capacities.

• Larger boats that are not normally trailera-

ble have sling placement labels on the sides

of the boat. Be sure to position slings as

indicated by the labels.

• Do not place the slings where they may lift

on the propeller shaft or underwater fittings.

• Do not use deck cleats or bow or stern eyes

for lifting unless they are labeled.

CRADLE

A cradle is the ideal support for your boat when-

ever it is not in the water. Properly designed and

located, the cradle will support the boat under

the main frames. Support at these points is

essential for preventing damage to the hull. Pur-

chase a cradle from your dealer to ensure that

your boat has the correct support.

PREPARATION FOR STORAGE

Remove the bilge drain plug immediately after

taking the boat out of the water. Store the plug

in a plastic bag and tape it to the throttle con-

trol lever so that it can easily be found.

After washing the boat, raise the bow out of the

water high enough to allow as much water as

possible to drain while you are completing other

storage preparations. Before covering your boat,

apply a coat of Meguiar’s Boat/RV Wax to pre-

vent excessive oxidation.

TRAILER

Perform the following steps to winterize your

trailer for storage.

• Check tire inflation.

• Clean and repack the wheel bearings. Make

sure there is no water in the wheel hubs.

Inspect the bearings and races for pitting.

Inspect the grease seals for wear. Replace if

necessary and fill the bearings with grease.

• Examine the entire trailer and running gear

for signs of cracking or metal fatigue. Repair

weld cracks, and tighten any loose bolts and

screws.

• Check the frame. Make sure there are

no signs of bending or swaying due to

overloading.

• Repair or replace worn or misadjusted

bunks or rollers.

• If rust has formed on the trailer, remove it

by sanding and paint the bare spots to

match the trailer.

11-1

Winterization and Commissioning – 11

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Wellcraft Cruisers Owner's Manual Page 98

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