2013 Chaparral SSi Owner’s Manual
Chaparral Boats, Inc.
Nashville, GA
chaparralboats.com
5-5
Bunk or Custom Trailers—Loading
When loading, always prepare for the procedure prior to reaching the
ramp. If the ramp is busy, preparation will shorten the time it takes for you
to get your boat out of the water.
You probably won’t have to back the trailer into the water as far to load
the boat as you did to launch it. In fact, the easiest way is to back your
trailer up until the rear of the bunks are in the water. By not putting your
trailer too deep in the water, your boat will actually center itself on the
bunks about 1/3 to 1/2 the distance onto the trailer.
Connect the winch cable/strap to the bow eye of the boat. Lock your
winch before attempting to wind the cable/strap in. Once your boat is
aligned and is pulled fi rmly against the winch stand roller or vee block and
your winch is in the locked position, connect the boat bow safety chain
and you are ready to drive to the loading/preparation area near the ramp
to connect all other tie-downs, lighting or electric brake connections, etc.
Common Cause of Boat Misalignment
If your boat doesn’t sit level in the water or your bunks or rollers are not
adjusted properly, you may have misalignment problems with your boat
when loading. Basic correction procedures are as follows:
Correction Procedures
Re-measure all roller assemblies that set in a line across from each other.
Make sure the distance to each roller from the centerline of the trailer is
equal. In other words, the left side of your trailer should be exactly the
same as the right side. This is true of bunk or roller trailers.
If your boat keeps going to the port (left) side, remove the boat and loosen
the U-bolts and/or the through bolts that clamp the roller assemblies on
the stern (back) section of the trailer. Force each assembly to the right as
if you were trying to turn the handlebars of a bicycle. Hold each assembly
in this turned position and retighten the U-bolts and/or through bolts.
This repositioning of the roller assemblies should correct the misalign-
ment of the boat on your trailer. If your boat goes toward the starboard
(right) side, reverse the procedure.
Another common reason for boats not centering themselves is putting
the trailer too deep in the water, which does not allow the trailer adequate
time to center the boat. This is especially true on roller style trailers.
Note: Make sure your trailer is not too deep in the water or the boat
will fl oat over the rollers and be diffi cult to load and center.
BOARDING YOUR BOAT
DANGER
Shut off engine when persons are on swim
platform or on swim platform seat.
Rotating propellers can injure or kill you.
Larger pleasure boats remain stable under most operating conditions be-
cause of their beam, draft, and weight displacement. However, the U.S.
Coast Guard does require that a capacity plate be affi xed to all boats up
to 20 feet long. This plate states the maximum load capacity. The plate
shows persons and gear in pounds the boat will handle safely under nor-
mal conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard establishes these load capacity
ratings. Overloading and improper distribution of weight are signifi cant
causes of accidents. Keep weight below maximum limits for safety in
turbulent water.
