Camanos 31 Owner's Handbook Manual - page 14
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lights are open you could go a long way to swamping the boat before you became aware of the
problem.
Getting Underway
For most of us, pulling away from the dock brings another set of tasks. Here is our list.
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secure all lines
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fenders in board and secured
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transom gate closed
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salon door closed
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close salon windows when on the bridge
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key in bridge ignition when on the bridge
Even in hot weather it is a good idea to cruise with the salon door closed. The forward movement of
the boat sometimes creates a low pressure area in the cockpit and diesel fumes and salt spray can
render the aft curtains somewhat grimy by the end of a boating season. Interestingly, leaving the aft
window open doesn't seem to have the same negative effect. Having a key in the bridge ignition switch
when you are operating the boat from up top is also a good idea. It saves a mad scramble down to the
main salon if you ever have to shut the engine down in a hurry.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Although the Camano was designed to allow you to spend your time cruising, there are some tasks that
can't be avoided.
Hull
Where possible both during and after a cruise, take a few moments to hose down the boat with fresh
water. The simple fact is that salt is highly corrosive and, over time, will mar the gelcoat and every
other part of the boat. Hosing the salt off will go a long way to save rebuffing the boat's surfaces in
order to bring back the shine. When hosing the boat, avoid directing water into the engine air intake
vents (the rectangular flush cover on the upper hull side in the area of the aft cabin bulkhead) and the
wiring cover on the bridge. This is also a good time to make sure that the roof drains and the deck and
hatch (lazarette) drains are free of leaves or other debris. Also, it wouldn't hurt to check and make sure
that the drains in the anchor locker are not plugged. The same applies to the limber holes in the engine
room. A good waxing at least twice a year is more or less mandatory and regular washing not far
behind. When you wash the boat try to avoid using detergents -- they take off the wax. You will save
yourself a lot of work if you use washing compounds that contain wax, such as Turtle Wax Car Wash.
In high UV areas, such as the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic states, Texas and Southern California, it is
advisable to increase your wax and wash routine to 3-4 times per year.
The rub rails are easily cleaned with acetone, which has recently been declared benign to the
environment, but you have to work quickly. Pour a little acetone onto a cloth, wipe a small section of
the rub rail and then polish that same section with a clean cloth. Once the rails are restored to their
original shiny black finish, protect them with a Teflon wax.
Useful Tip: Be careful when using acetone -- it softens gelcoat if left on too long.
Stains can be problematic but we have found that Kleen Glo works well. This is a mildly abrasive
compound so you have to be careful when using it.