35
Operation
• Make sure the trailer is a match for your boat’s
weight and hull design. More damage can be
done to a boat by the stresses of road travel
than by normal water operation. A boat hull
is designed to be supported evenly by water.
So, when it is transported on a trailer it should
be supported structurally as evenly across the
hull as possible allowing for even distribution of
the weight of the hull, engines and equipment.
• Make sure the trailer bunks and/or rollers
properly support the hull and do not put
pressure on the lifting strakes. The rollers
and bunks must be kept in good condition to
prevent scratching and gouging of the hull.
• The capacity rating of the trailer should be
greater than the combined weight of the
boat, motor and equipment. The gross vehicle
weight rating must be shown on the trailer.
Make sure the weight of the boat, engine, gear
and trailer is not more than the gross vehicle
weight rating.
• Make sure the boat is securely fastened on the
trailer to prevent movement between the boat
and trailer. The bow eye on the boat should
be secured with a rope, chain or turnbuckle in
addition to the winch cable. Additional straps
may be required across the beam of the boat
or from the transom eyes to the trailer.
Notice:
Your trailer dealer will give instructions on
how to load, fasten and launch your boat.
BOATS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY TRAILERS THAT DO NOT
PROPERLY SUPPORT THE HULL. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE
TRAILER BUNKS AND ROLLERS ARE ADJUSTED SO THEY
ARE NOT PUTTING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON THE LIFTING
STRAKES AND ARE PROVIDING ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR
THE HULL. HULL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM IMPROPER
TRAILER SUPPORT IS NOT COVERED BY THE BLACKFIN
WARRANTY.
Before Going Out On The Highway:
• Side curtains, clear connector, backdrop
and aft curtain must be removed when
trailering. Canvas enclosures are not designed
to withstand the extreme wind pressure
encountered while trailering and will be
damaged. Always remove and properly store
the enclosure before trailering your boat.
• Make sure the tow BALL and TRAILER COUPLER
are the same size and bolts and nuts are tightly
secured.
• The COUPLER MUST BE COMPLETELY OVER
THE BALL and the LATCHING MECHANISM
LOCKED DOWN.
• Make sure the TRAILER IS LOADED EVENLY
from front to rear as well as side to side and
has the correct weight on the hitch. Too much
weight on the hitch will cause the rear of the
tow vehicle to drag and may make steering
more dicult. Too little weight on the hitch
will cause the rig to shtail and will make
controlling the tow vehicle dicult. Contact
your trailer manufacturer or dealer for the
correct weight on the hitch for your trailer.
• The SAFETY CHAINS must be attached
crisscrossing under the coupler to the frame
of the tow vehicle. If the ball was to break,
the trailer would follow in a straight line and
prevent the coupler from dragging on the road.
Make sure the trailer emergency brake cable
or chain is also installed to the tow vehicle
frame.
• Make sure the LIGHTS on the trailer function
properly.
• CHECK THE BRAKES. On a level parking area
roll forward and apply the brakes several times
at increasing speeds to determine if the brakes
on the tow vehicle and trailer are working
properly.
• Make sure the tow vehicle has SIDE VIEW
MIRRORS that are large enough to provide an
unobstructed rear view on both sides of the
vehicle.
• CHECK THE TIRES and WHEEL BEARINGS.
Notice:
Make sure your towing vehicle and trailer are
in compliance with all state and local laws.
Contact your state motor vehicle bureau for
laws governing the towing of trailers.
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