WindRider 17 Trimaran
Thank you for choosing a WindRider 17 Trimaran and becoming part of the WindRider family.
This owner’s manual will help you learn more about your WindRider craft and will help you get
started in its safe operation. We encourage you to become thoroughly familiar with your WindRider 17
Trimaran before you go sailing. Located at the end of this manual, you will find a glossary of terms
that you may find helpful to reference while reading through the instructions and guidelines.
Please be sure to complete your warranty registration card and return it within 90 days of
purchase to activate your warranty. Returning this card will also allow us to keep you informed of
updates and sailing activities with other WindRider owners.
Your local dealer will be glad to provide additional information about your new boat, and you will
also find a wealth of information from other WindRider owners in the discussion forum at
www.windrider.com
.
Enjoy your boat and welcome aboard!
An Introduction to Thermal Plastics
Your WindRider 17 Trimaran’s (WR17) hulls are molded of polyethylene, a thermal plastic. This
material allows us to build hulls that are lightweight, strong, resilient, durable, and low cost.
The process used to build these hulls is called “rotational molding.” Polyethylene powder is
placed in a heated mold. The polyethylene liquefies, and the mold is rocked and rotated to distribute
the plastic. Once this cycle is complete, the mold is separated and the hull removed.
Because polyethylene is a thermal plastic and is altered by heat and pressure, it is important that
you take a few simple precautions to ensure that your boat’s hulls maintain their appearance and
proper shape. Occasionally, dents (or “wows”) can occur in the hulls of your WR17. To correct this,
place the affected hull in direct sunlight for a day and then allow it to cool. The plastic’s memory
should return the hull to its original shape.
If this does not correct the problem, hold a hair dryer a few inches from the hull (preferably on the
inside) and warm the affected area. Be careful not to melt the hull. Once the area is warm, place a
weight inside the hull, on top of the dented area, and allow it to cool.
Any trailer used to transport your WR17 should support the craft by the trailer tabs (or main
crossbeams), like the WR 17 trailer available from your dealer. With the boat suspended from these
tabs, it is best if the bottom of the keel also makes light contact with the trailer to share the weight.
This keeps most of the pressure off the polyethylene hulls while transporting. If your WR17 is stored
off its trailer on land for long periods of time, the boat it best supported as done on the trailer, rather
than resting only on the plastic main hull. This can be done with a pair of rails that mimic those on the
trailer.
Clean the polyethylene hulls periodically. The surface of a polyethylene boat contains tiny pores
that can trap dirt and road tar. Use Simple Green™ and a pressure washer to remove this grime.
Apply a UV Protectant like 303™ periodically to your boat and its interior to protect it from harmful UV
rays.
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