Albemarle 41 CONVERTIBLE Owner'S Manual Download

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10 Convertible

Chapter 14:

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE

14.1 Lay-up and Storage

Before Hauling:

•

Pump out the head and holding tank. Flush the holding
tank using clean water and a deodorizer. Pump out the
cleaning solution.

•

The  fuel  tank  should  be  left  nearly  full  to  reduce
condensation that can accumulate in the fuel tank.  Allow
enough room in the tank for the fuel to expand without
leaking out the vents.

Algae can grow in the accumulated water in diesel fuel
tanks. This condition is most prevalent in warm climates.
Adding a high quality diesel fuel additive containing an
algaecide may be required to control algae during storage
in your area.

•

The age of fuel can affect engine performance.  Chemical
changes occur as the fuel ages that can cause deposits and
reduce the cetane rating of the fuel.  Severely degraded
fuel can damage the engine and boat fuel tank and lines.
Therefore, if your boat is not being run enough to require
at least one full tank of fresh fuel a month, a fuel additive
should  be  added  to  protect  it  from  degradation.   Your
dealer or the engine manufacturer can provide additional
information  on  fuel  degradation  and  fuel  stabilizers
recommended for your engines.  Operate the boat for at
least  15  minutes  after  adding  the  additive  to  allow  the
treated fuel to reach the engine.

Your dealer or the engine manufacturer can provide ad-
ditional information on fuel degradation and fuel additives
recommended for your engine. For more recommenda-
tions for your speciﬁc area, check with your dealer.

•

Drain water from the fresh water system.

•

Consult the engine owner’s manual for detailed information
on preparing the engines for storage.

Lifting

It is essential that care be used when lifting your boat.  Make
sure the spreader bar at each sling is at least as long as the
distance across the widest point of the boat that the sling will
surround.  Put the slings in position.  Refer to the Slings Lo-
cations drawing in appendix A for the correct position of the
lifting slings.  There are also sling tags on the side deck.  The
fore and aft slings should be tied together to prevent the slings
from sliding on the hull.

The bow should always be slightly higher than the stern while
lifting the boat. This will allow the water to drain from the
engine exhaust system and prevent water from surging over
the risers and into the engine.

BOATS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED FROM IMPROPER
LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING WITH FORK LIFTS.
THE FORKS PLACE EXTREME PRESSURE POINTS
ON THE  HULL  AND  COULD  CAUSE  SERIOUS
STRUCTURAL  DAMAGE.   YOUR  BOAT  IS TOO
HEAVY  FOR  ANY  FORK  LIFT.    NEVER  ALLOW
ANYONE TO LIFT THE BOAT WITH A FORK LIFT.

SEVERE GELCOAT CRAZING OR MORE SERIOUS
HULL DAMAGE CAN OCCUR DURING HAULING AND
LAUNCHING  IF  PRESSURE  IS  CREATED  ON THE
GUNWALES (SHEER) BY THE SLINGS.  SPREADERS
ARE NOT REQUIRED IF BELTS ARE NOT CREATING
PRESSURE  (CABLE  DRUMS  FURTHER  APART
THAN  BEAM  OF  BOAT).    FLAT, WIDE  BELTING
SLINGS  AND  SPREADERS  LONG  ENOUGH TO
KEEP  PRESSURE  FROM THE  GUNWALES  ARE
ESSENTIAL.  DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO HAUL
YOUR BOAT WHEN THE SPREADERS ON THE LIFT
ARE NOT WIDE ENOUGH TO TAKE THE PRESSURE
OFF THE GUNWALES.

Supporting The Boat For Storage

A well-made cradle or proper blocking is the best support for
your boat during storage.

When supporting the boat with blocking:

•

Make sure the boat is blocked on a level surface and the
bow is high enough so that water will drain from the bilge,
cockpit and exhaust system.

•

Make sure the keel is supported with large, solid wood
blocks in at least three points.

•

Use at least three heavy duty jacks on each side of the hull
and make sure the boat is level from side to side. The jacks
must be on a solid surface like packed gravel, concrete or
pavement. All of the supports must be set up properly to
prevent the boat from shifting while it is in storage.