MANUAL

Each owner is provided with a specific owners and operators manual to help them to enjoy their new boat. An example is reproduced below:

OWNERS AND OPERATORS HANDBOOK

EXPLORER MARINE

RIGID INFLATABLE BOATS

This manual has been completed to help you to operate your craft with safety and pleasure. It contains details of the craft, the equipment supplied and information on its operation and maintenance.

Please read it carefully, and familiarise yourself with the craft before using it.

If this is your first craft, or you are changing to a type of craft with which you are not familiar , for your own comfort and safety, please ensure that you obtain handling and operating experience before assuming command of the craft. Your dealer, boat club or Explorer Marine will be pleased to provide training or to advise you of local sea schools or instructors.

PLEASE KEEP THIS MANUAL IN A SECURE PLACE AND HAND IT OVER TO THE NEW OWNER WHEN YOU SELL THE CRAFT.

EXPLORER MARINE

WINHAM FARM

WESTCOTT

CULLOMPTON

DEVON   EX15 1SA

01392 - 882344

INTRODUCTION:

Thank you for choosing Explorer Marine to specify and construct your new rigid inflatable boat. Explorer Marine wishes you well for your enjoyment of the boat, and hopes that you will enjoy it for many years to come.

Your boat has been designed to provide you with the best combination of practicality, performance and stability for a craft of this size. The unique hull form provides excellent stability both at speed and at rest, while the squared bow and wide beam provide unsurpassed interior space for a given hull length.

This handbook has been compiled to help you to operate your craft with safety and pleasure. It contains details of the boat, the equipment fitted, and information on its operation and maintenance. Please read it carefully, and familiarise yourself with your boat before using it.

If you are not familiar with the craft, for your own comfort and safety, please ensure that you obtain handling and operating experience before assuming command of the craft. Your local boating club will advise you of local instructors or Explorer Marine can provide instruction in your own boat.

SPECIFICATIONS:

NAME:                           EXPLORER ONE       

MODEL                         EXPLORER  575 W

HULL IDENTIFICATION No:         GB - EXM57502G405

LENGTH OVERALL:             5750mm  (18 foot 10 inches)

WIDTH OVERALL:               2760mm  (9 foot  1 inch)

PAYLOAD:                             The 575W has a CALM WEATHER payload of 0 adults (700 kg) plus a fuel and equipment  load not exceeding 300kg.

MASS:                           550 kg approximately - bare boat

                                      750 kg approx. - including Mercury F90 hp

OUTBOARD:                120 kW maximum = 150 Hp maximum.  200kg maximum outboard weight.

ENGINE TYPE:            Mercury 90 Hp Four Stroke

ENGINE SERIAL Nos:                   F90 XXXXX               AB12345     

ECHOSOUNDER No:           1234567

BATTERY:                    Type 067 - 12 Volt

                                      550 Cold Crank Amps (S.A.E.)

C.E. DESIGN CATEGORY: D - SHELTERED WATERS

BUOYANCY:                5 section inflatable collar plus additional buoyancy in the rigid hull ensures that the boat  will float, and can be driven, even if completely swamped with water.

CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS OWNERS HANDBOOK.

DANGER: 

Items headed thus DANGER or incorporating this word DANGER indicate that there will be a risk of danger or injury to the operator, passengers or the public.

WARNING:

Items headed thus WARNING or incorporating this word WARNING indicate that there may be a risk of serious problems to the vessel or its occupants.

CAUTION:

Items headed thus CAUTION or incorporating the word CAUTION indicate that the operator should take special care with this item since there will be a risk of  damage to the boat or other property.

SECTION 2 - OUTBOARDS

It is usually the case that the outboard for your boat will have been specified at the time of purchase and thus fitted for you by Explorer Marine. If you have purchased this boat without the outboard then you must be aware of the following:

DANGER:  The fitment of outboards requires specialised knowledge and should not be carried out by un-skilled personnel. Failure to install the outboard correctly may cause:          

A       detachment of the outboard from the boat causing death or serious injury.

B       unacceptable handling characteristics of the boat causing death or serious                    injury.         

CAUTION:   The fitment of each outboard type requires specialised knowledge and should not be carried out by un-skilled personnel. Failure to correctly install the outboard, instruments and controls may cause:

A       Immediate failure of the outboard or its controls.

B       Progressive failure of the outboard or its accessories.

C       Damage to the boat hull, transom, and accessories.

MAXIMUM POWER AND WEIGHT:

The maximum power and weight of the outboard which may be fitted to your boat is listed in the specifications on page 2.

DANGER:     CAUTION:    Fitment of larger outboards than specified may cause injury to persons, or damage to your boat.

OUTBOARD INSTRUCTION MANUAL:

Once the outboard is fitted to the boat, and before you put the boat onto the water, you should familiarise yourself with the features and controls of the outboard by thoroughly reading and understanding the engine manual provided by the engine manufacturer. You will find this manual in the Owners Information Pouch provided by Explorer Marine. In addition, Explorer Marine can provide familiarisation courses using your own boat, to ensure that you are fully conversant and competent to take control of your new boat.

PROPELLERS:

The specification of propellers is a complicated science requiring a detailed knowledge of the purpose for which a boat is to be used. In the vast majority of cases the final choice of propeller will be a compromise between options to give the greatest benefit to the user.

CAUTION:  The fitment of an incorrect propeller OR the incorrect use of a correctly specified propeller OR the use of a damaged or bent propeller, can cause considerable engine damage.

Your local boat repairer or Explorer Marine can advise you of the best propeller repairers. Typical repair costs are approximately one third of the cost of buying a new propeller.

SECTION 3 - TRAILERS

It is usually the case that the trailer for your boat will have been specified at the time of purchase and thus factory fitted for you by Explorer Marine. If you have purchased this boat without the trailer then you must be aware of the following:

DANGER:  The fitment of trailers requires specialised knowledge and should not be carried out by un-skilled personnel. Failure to set up the trailer correctly may cause:               

A       detachment of the boat causing death or serious injury.

B       unacceptable handling characteristics of the trailer causing death or

          serious injury.     

CAUTION:   The adjustment of each trailer type requires specialised knowledge and should not be carried out by un-skilled personnel. Failure to correctly match the trailer to the boat may cause:

A       Immediate failure of the trailer or immediate damage to the boat.

B       Progressive failure of the trailer or damage to the boat hull.

WEIGHTS AND LOADS:

The maximum load for your trailer is marked on the specification plate attached to the drawbar of the trailer. This maximum will have been specified with regard to the size and weight of the boat together with the weight of the engine fitted and a 100kg allowance for fuel accessories and equipment to be carried in the boat.

DANGER   CAUTION:    Overloading of trailers can cause tyre blow-outs or structural failure or detachment of the trailer from the towing vehicle leading to a risk of death or serious injury.

Do not carry extra heavy items in the boat unless you are sure that the weight imposed can be borne by the trailer in accordance with its design and specification.

DANGER   CAUTION:   Trailing a large Rigid Inflatable is not the way to learn to tow a trailer. If you are not an experienced driver of trailed items, take a course of instruction and practice the manoeuvring procedures on a safe area such as a private car park.

CAUTION:  The regulations for towing with regards to sizes weights and speeds are inconsistent and sometimes contradictory. Ask your local Police information office or motoring organisation for written details and ensure that you comply with these guidelines. Then keep these written details in your towing vehicle to discuss with any of the regulatory bodies.

TRAILING YOUR BOAT:

Before moving the boat ensure that:

A       the trailer is correctly connected to the towing vehicle, the safety lock is fitted                 and the safety indicator is showing.

B       the breakaway braking cable is attached to the towing vehicle.

C       the trailboard lighting electrics are connected and working properly.

D       the jockey wheel is lifted and tightened firmly.

E       the boat is winched up to the winch stop, the ratchet engaged and an                    additional front safety rope is attached to prevent the boat moving forward or                 back or in case of winch failure.

F       the boat is lashed down to the trailer at the stern to prevent sideways                     movement or rearwards movement.

G       the tyres are in good condition and inflated correctly to the pressure           specified on the rating plate.

LAUNCHING:

Before launching your boat ensure that you are familiar with the sea conditions and harbour regulations applicable to your chosen site. If you are inexperienced, get help from an experienced person.

Where possible try to leave the trailer attached to the towing vehicle. If this is possible the result will be much safer and less stressful. A correctly set-up trailer and boat package can be launched or recovered easily by one person at most locations. Assistance should only be required in adverse weather conditions of wind or current.

Remove the trail board and electrics.

Ensure that the drain plug is fitted and that the engine and boarding ladder - where fitted - are in the up position.

Un-lash the boat leaving only the winch strap to retain the boat on the trailer.

Position the trailer at a suitable depth into the water - the brakes of trailers so fitted should not be immersed in salt water unnecessarily, but in many launching locations it is the only practical approach. - then taking hold of a long painter, release the winch strap and push the boat back into the water. Keep a firm hold on the painter and slow the boat, then pull it back to the beach being careful to avoid your own trailer.

RECOVERING THE BOAT ONTO THE TRAILER;

Recovery of the boat onto the trailer should be the reverse of launching the boat. In general a medium slope of beach or slipway will be easier that the steeper slopes found on many slipways. It is again preferable not to immerse the trailer brakes - where fitted - in sea water, but taking note of the rising or falling tide, to position the trailer as far into the water as is necessary for the bow to meet the trailer rollers.

Use the winch to pull the boat onto the trailer. The boat will thus be controlled by the trailer rollers and will self align by the time it is winched up to the bow stop.

CAUTION:    Most difficulties - and family disputes - during boat recovery are caused by one or more of the following:

A       Asking the family member who hardly ever drives to reverse a car and trailer                  down the slipway at a busy time

B       Detaching the trailer from the car on the beach of slipway - a sure way to lose           control of it.

C       Pushing the trailer in far too deep - the boat is buffeted by wind and             current and everybody ends up wet to the waist.

D       Shouting 'push it over to the left / right ' is meaningless unless you have                some convention as to which is right and left - remember, you will be facing                   eachother! Try port and starboard, or even towards some landmark.

E       Trying to use a rope to pull the trailer out and thus running out of space on            the beach.

F       Pulling the boat and trailer up the beach on a rope and then it rolls back                 down again as you reverse back to slacken the rope - remember that brakes                 and seawater do not go well together.

G       Shouting or waving 'come on.. come on.. come on... BANG.. stop'  A silent                    visual indication of the distance remaining is much more successful.

NOTE:   While the expert regulars are always amused by the antics of the novice boat owner, they are only experts because they have made all of these mistakes, and more, many, many times before. If you are struggling you will find that most regulars will be very happy to give you a hand if asked. However, you will end up with as many different solutions as you have regular experts to ask!

After recovering the boat onto the trailer, remember to lash the boat to the trailer and fit the lighting board, adjusted so that the lights are near to the extreme rear of the outboard. Cover the outboard with a brightly covered bag to meet the spirit of the trailer law.

PARKING UP:

Once you have returned home, ensure that the trailer is hosed down with fresh water to protect the brakes and the condition of the galvanising. Release the drain plug and spray down the boat to keep it smart and reduce the build up of salt.

Park the trailer in a secure location. Try to avoid parking under trees as they may drop sticky fluids and birds will perch and make further mess on the boat.

CAUTION: Pull the trailer FORWARD  a few feet before chocking the wheels and park with the brakes OFF. This will reduce the problems of brakes locking on during park up.

Ensure that the boat will drain of any rain water by adjusting the jockey wheel. If the boat is to be left for longer periods, remove the drain plug to reduce battery drain from the automatic bilge pump.

OPERATION OF YOUR BOAT:

Before boarding the boat, ensure that you have the necessary safety equipment:

          Lifejackets or buoyancy aids for all members of the crew.

          Anchor(s) and anchor lines suited to the depth of water and location.

          VHF radio and/or flares as applicable.

          Adequate fuel and a reserve supply of fuel to get you home.

Ensure that your planned trip is known to someone on shore - friends, or harbour staff - before you set out to sea.

The engine manual gives details of the checks and starting procedures. Follow these instructions closely.

In many circumstances there will be a limited depth of water near to the shore. If this is the situation where you launch, then trim the engine down only far enough to cover the water intake grilles. Prime the fuel primer and start the engine.

The gearshift may now be operated and the boat idled away from the shore until there is enough depth to trim the engine down to its normal running position.

When manoeuvring in reverse the boat can be turned extremely effectively by trimming the engine up and using the weight of the helmsman to start the rotation to swing the bow. Once the bow is swinging, the boat can be shifted into forward and opposite lock applied to turn the boat in a very effective way. Take the time to practice this procedure away from the restrictions of moorings or the shore and out of busy channels. It is a very useful feature which adds to the fun of driving the boat.

When operating at higher speed, the boat will be significantly affected by the way in which it is loaded. Balance your passengers to front and rear to provide an even weight distribution.

Once you are in the open water get to know the boat and its handling characteristics. Start at slow speeds and become familiar in forward and reverse. When reversing it is often useful to trim the engine up a little to lift the stern and reduce splash over the transom.

WARNING:  When accelerating quickly from rest is important to have the trim set fully down to reduce bow lift, to improve handing and to ensure good visibility.  Once the boat is on the plane further speed may be possible by trimming the boat up a little.

WARNING:  Excess trim and excess speed may cause:

          A  Porpoising - that is jumping the boat out of the water.

          B  Damage to the engine through the engine over revving due the propeller                           being out of the water.

          C  Damage to the engine through CAVITATION.

This manual cannot detail all the handling characteristics of the boat at all load and speed conditions. However, you instructor will be pleased to discuss any specific queries, and Explorer Marine will always be pleased to answer your questions.

CLEANING:

Your boat is manufactured from materials which require a minimum of maintenance. However, occasional cleaning will enhance the appearance of your boat.

CAUTION:  Cleaning off the caustic deposits left by some birds and some trees is essential to the long term life and appearance of your boat.

The hull and G.R.P mouldings, are best cleaned using a low scratch bathroom cleaner approved for plastic baths. We use 'JIF' but other brands are also suitable. Rinse off with fresh water after cleaning.

The fade and weathering caused by exposure to the elements and general use can be removed from the inflatable tubes by a mild detergent, or a specialist RIB cleaner which is available from EXPLORER MARINE.  In severe cases the specialist thinners used in the factory -  BOSTIK M501 THINNERS - can be used.

WARNING:  M501 is an industrial cleaner - you must wear gloves

WARNING: Rags soaked in M501 are extremely flammable.

CAUTION:  Rags soaked in M501 will damage the boat if left on any surface.

WINTER  STORAGE:

The boat should be cleaned of weed and general grime before winter storage. Remove any lashings from over the tubes, and adjust the tube pressures to 2 psi. The ideal storage position is on its trailer in a garage. If this is not possible, then store your outside but do not fit a cover. Explorer marine finds that the fitment of a winter cover will do more damage than good from:

A       Condensation under the cover.

B       Flapping of the cover onto the boat.

Pigments in the tubes and hull will gradually fade in sunlight, so a winter storage position out of the direct sunlight is preferred.

The boat engine should be given a winter layup service by your local engine agent.

The trailer should be given a thorough clean with fresh water, lubrication of all bearings and threads, touch up any scratches with a cold galvanising paint. If the boat is to be laid up for a long period, remove the wheels pump them to 35 psi and store them in a dark place. Most trailer tyres fail through light degradation rather than through wearing out.

MATERIALS  &  REPAIRS:

WARNING:  While some repairs are easily within the competence of the owner, other work may only be safely carried out by trained staff. If you are in any doubt - ask Explorer Marine or your local boat repairer.

The boat is provided with a tube repair kit for minor punctures to allow you to complete your journey. Keep it in the boat and be sure that the adhesive is within its shelf life.

Should a cut occur in the Hypalon tubes, select a patch which is at least 50mm larger than the damage. Draw around the patch and then abrade both the surfaces using the abrasive provided. This is a tedious job which will take several minutes to do properly. Then follow the instructions on the tube of adhesive and press the patch on as firmly as possible.

This Explorer Marine craft is manufactured by hand using polyester resins and hand laid glass mat. The exterior colour layer is a polyester gel coat, heavily pigmented to the required colour - red, white, blue, etc.,

Minor scrapes and abrasions can be polished out using a proprietary GRP polish, or the similar car products such as 'T-Cut'

More major scratches can be tidied up using 'wet or dry' abrasive paper of a grade 1200 or finer. This should be used wet on the end of a finger or small block. Keep the damaged area to a minimum.  Following the abrasive, use 'T-Cut' or cutting compound to restore the shine to the surface.

If damage has occurred which goes deeper than the gel layer, then a gel repair will be necessary. Prepare the area by washing with fresh water and drying thoroughly. Remove any loose material and sand the affected area with medium abrasive. Mix the gel with 4% catalyst and apply with a small brush of spatula. Immediately cover the affected area with masking tape to level the gel and exclude air. When the gel is hardened fully, remove the tapes and tidy up using fine abrasives and polishing compound. If your boat has coloured gelcoat, it will be necessary to match the original colour of the gel using the original pigments.

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If you need help to resolve any queries with the boat then contact:

EXPLORER MARINE: info@explorermarine.co.uk

                             01392 882344

                             07974 959777

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WARRANTY

This boat is Warranted for leisure use for a period of three years from the date of sale. 

Explorer Marine will repair or replace any item suffering from manufacturing defect or failure provided that the boat has been used in accordance with the design category under which it was sold and for the purpose for which it was designed.

This warranty does not cover ageing, weathering, or gradual degradation, or damage caused by impact or abuse.

The customer must return the boat to the factory,  at the customer's expense, for warranty work to be carried out.

This does not affect your statutory rights.

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