TRAILERS & TOWING

Consult your ASIS dealer regarding a suitable trailer as there are numerous considerations to take into account to make the correct selection. The trailer should comply with local regulations and may require an independent breaking system dependant on the total weight of the boat and trailer. The beam of a boat exceeding a certain width is considered a ‘Wide Load’ and requires special placarding. ASIS boats being much lighter than fiberglass or aluminum boats of similar length generally require a smaller more economical trailer system. Full inflatable have carpeted ‘runners’ while RIB’s require load bearing nylon rollers supporting the keel and carpeted runners supporting the chimes in a level attitude. Beach launching trailers have a split pivot system to allow the bow to be scooped up and guided by rollers into the centre whilst.

BOATING CHECKLIST

Visual Boat Check and Briefing

• Check Bung is in place and fully tightened.
• Check Tube Perimeter and test air pressure.
• Check for Tube Inflator (Pump) and adapter plugs to fit valves.
• Check Safety Equipment on board and all items stowed correctly.
• Check boat keys, locker keys, kill switch and test electronics.
• Check for paddles and tow roap.

Brief crew and passengers by explaining the location and use of all PFDs to passengers and crew especially passengers that may be new to the vessel. Children, elderly and passengers that cannot swim should always be wearing PFD’s. Also explain routing and basic emergency procedures and distress call procedures.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

• Have at least one Coast Guard-approved device per passenger and a minimum of two on board.
• An additional throwable device is required if the vessel is more than 16 feet long.
• Explain the location and use of all PFDs to passengers and crew that may be new to the vessel.

Sound Producing Devices

• Have a horn capable of producing a four-second blast audible for at least 1/2 mile on board.
• if you use portable air horn, have a spare can of air or an alternate device.
• Attach a whistle to each PFD.

Lights and Shapes

• Have all navigation lights as required for your boat.
• Make sure all instrument lights are working.
• If you intend to engage in a recreational boating activity that requires a day-shape, have the required shapes.
• Have aboard a flashlight and spare batteries.

Distress Signals

• Make flares, day signals, etc., accessible and ensure they are stored in a dry location.
• Carry signals at all times even if not required by the Coast Guard.
• Inform the crew and passengers of their location and safety rules for proper usage.

Tools and Spares

• Carry a basic toolbox with tools appropriate for your boat.
• Carry a box of spares including fuel filter, light bulbs, head parts, through-hull plugs, etc.

Fuel and Oil

• Top off your fuel tanks.
• If you can't, have enough fuel to provide a reasonable margin of safety for your return.
• Check the engine oil and coolant levels.

 Fire Extinguishers

• Carry at least one fire extinguisher and make sure it is accessible. Make sure you have at least the number required by Coast Guard rules.
• Check to be sure mounts are secure and functional before departure.
• Take the time to point out locations to passengers and crew.

Ventilation

• If fuel smells are detected before ventilating, check after running for several minutes before starting.
• If odor persists, shut down the engine and look for the source of the leak.  

Bilges

• Check to be sure bilges are reasonably dry and that pumps are not running excessively.
• Clean up any spilled oil or waste in bilges to prevent overboard discharge.

Weather Forecast

• Always check the weather forecast before boating.
• Have a radio on board to receive weather updates.  
• Battery Care
• If you have a dual charging system, make sure the selector switch in the proper position.
• Make sure the power is on to the entire vessel.
• Have aboard spare batteries for accessories such as your handheld radio, flashlight, portable navigational aid, etc.
• If the batteries are rechargeable, make sure they're charged.

Docking and Anchoring Tips

• Have at least one anchor set up and bent-on to your anchor line.
• Carry two or three extra dock lines in case you encounter unusual conditions dockside.
• Visually inspect the lines you use for chafe or wear.
• Carry at least a fenders on-board for docking or towing if required.  

Rules & Documentation

• Have the ship's papers, radio license, fishing permit, etc. on board.
• Have the chart or charts for the area you intend to cruise in, regardless of your level of local knowledge

PRE-LAUNCH

ASIS boats are manufactured to meet the highest standards specified for safety on water.

Consideration and pre-launch checking of the following will ensure the safety of all concerned.

• Check the condition of your boat.
• All participants are equipped, trained and prepared for sea.
• Carry all specified safety equipment.

Plan and equip for variable conditions.

Considerations

It is the duty of the Skipper of the boat to carry the appropriate safety equipment for the trip with the ability to deal with the following conditions.

Man overboard (MOB) situation – Requires carrying of personal floatation equipment, PFD’s, a ‘lifeline’ to throw to the (MOB), and passengers should be dressed to minimize hypothermia. ASIS consoles have dry and wet storage areas and tubes can be fitted with ‘Pouches’ to carry safety lines.

Fire at sea - an appropriate fire extinguisher should be fitted. ASIS consoles can be ordered with recesses for fire extinguisher bays.

Fuel flow breakdown or loss of propulsion can be prevented by checking tanks, filters and lines prior to launching, in the event of power loss at sea check the above and clean or replace where necessary. Oars, ground tackle, sea anchor and signaling devices should be carried as they may be required. Carry a safety grab-bag containing signal flares, ‘V’ sheet, heliograph mirror, torches, and sunburn barrier, insect repellent and thermal blankets.

Injury at sea. Carry a first aid kit, and CPR manual specifically related to the activity.

Electrical problems. Battery condition and location of all fuses should be known to the skipper. Marine wiring can be isolated using a battery isolator switch and a series of inline fuses and switches for each electrical circuit. ASIS consoles are designed to provide mounting solutions for all necessary gauges, wiring, switches and fuse panels.

Water leaks or ingress – If water unexpectedly enters the boat, bale the water overboard using a bucket, electrical or hand pump after checking to ensure the drain ‘Bungs’ are in place.. ASIS boats have self bailer system which will self drain the deck if you are in a forward motion.

Weather Conditions – As conditions at sea vary be sure to get a forecast that deals with changes in sea conditions or reschedule your trip accordingly. Consider personal requirements to protect against cold, rain and sun as well as sufficient water and food.

Information Resources – Check with your ASIS dealer as well as Local Authorities regarding local requirements and seamanship practices. Experienced ASIS staff and dealers have a wealth of information; feel free to talk to them.

Regular Inspection – Regular unscheduled inspection of your ASIS hull and tubes in transit by trailer and before launch are beneficial. Pre-departure check for signs of storage damage and continuously check during road transport to ensure that no damage is being inflicted by trailer tires. High fuel odor must always be traced to determine the source and cause.

Pre-Launch Passenger Briefings – it is essential to inform all passengers of the safety rules to which they are required to comply; they should also be shown the location of PFD’s (personal floatation equipment) and other safety equipment on board or inside the ASIS console.

LAUNCHING

ASIS trailer launching consists of pre-determined steps in preparing for the launch, care and consideration should be given to additional differences at the launch site and the duties and actions required by the launch personal must be conveyed by the skipper prior to launching.

Preparation
Stop clear of the boat ramp in the level preparation ready area. All equipment must be transferred and secured in place in your ASIS boat taking care to ensure that the recommend payload is adhered to. Passengers must be safety briefed and checked to ensure personal comfort and any specific needs of passengers including clothing for warmth and comfort. Passengers are to stand aside while the designated trained launch crew remove all tie-downs between the trailer and the stern, and then remove the safety chain at the bow. With the ratchet on and the primary winch cable in place, check that the bungs are in and tight. Make sure the fuel is connected the electrical power is switched on from the primary battery switch and the engine primed, remove engine locks and chocks and set engine lock out switch to ‘run’. Insert the ignition key and check the ground tackle is accessible and can be deployed quickly if required. Check that the propeller is clear as well as the bow & stern mooring lines are secure and accessible. Walk down to the ramp and assess any VARIABLES such as ramp width depth, and slipperiness, tidal currents, angle of the ramp, submerged hazards, wind and boarding location for passengers. Return to passengers and check their readiness to board and advise boarding location.

Launch
Each trailer has an optimal depth for launch and for recovery, this is with the stern roller or guide just below the water level. Having the stern roller guide deeper is not better as the boat will tend to separate vertically rather than slide back onto the rollers. A crew member should be placed as observer, at the driver’s side of the ramp with a clear view of the launch area and clearly visible by the driver. In 4WD clear the area visually then reverse at a constant slow pace taking note of any hand signals by the observers. Stop the vehicle at the pre-set launch depth. With the observer standing downstream, if any current or wind is present, secure the bowline in hand, release the ratchet and release the primary winch cable from the bow to trailer. Holding the bowline, push the boat off and allow it to slide clear of the trailer. Assist the observer to secure the boat to the shore before driving away. In unstable conditions of wind or current the skipper should board the ASIS and remain at the controls, starting the engine before releasing the bowline. Secure the winch cable onto the trailer. drive clear of the ramp and park the trailer.

Boating Safety
ASIS recommends that safety be the primary consideration in all your boating activity. ASIS boats are manufactured to exceed Lloyds Specifications for materials in all aspects of construction, design and buoyancy. It is therefore incumbent on the owner and the operator, to equip any ASIS inflatable boat with all necessary SAFETY equipment relative to the conditions and the nature of the operation being conducted. Over and above the requirements of local and international maritime law, it is the responsibility of the Captain of the vessel to exercise his Duty of Care in the safe and sensible operation and take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of crew and passengers at sea. All manufacturers’ placard limitations must be adhered too in full. ASIS inflatables should only be fitted with accessories approved by certified ASIS dealers, in a manner which complies with practices laid down by ASIS. Boating safety is the responsibility of every person engaged in boating, and every person boarding a boat must take a pro-active attitude to learn and understand the factors which may affect their personal safety at sea.

NAVIGATION

ASIS asserts that coastal navigation is a skill acquired by practical experience as well as the assistance of a compass which when fitted should be checked for inherent deviation with the deviation correction card being placed next to the compass. Your ASIS Dealer will be happy to inform you about the deviation as well as any suitable navigation courses available.

Skippers should ensure that they have at least two navigation methods available in order to cross check one against the other while eliminating user error. Despite the High accuracy of GPS it is susceptible to user error and a second confirming navigation method will always prove beneficial.

Official marine charts should be carried and the traditional dead reckoning (DR) should be observed recording departure times as well as direction and course data, in addition to GPS navigation data. Tidal prediction charts should be studied to ensure safe passage in shallow waters.

ASIS have the knowledge and experience to provide protection to maps and instruments as well as windscreen design and console layout for optimum ease of operation during navigation.

PROPELLERS

Number of blades: Well., two is really the practical minimum. Two blades are also very efficient. As more blades are added, efficiency drops, but so does vibration. Three blades is pretty well the standard, with fours, fives and sixes used in specialized installations, such as racing. Diameter: Another simple one. It is the outside circle made by a rotating prop.

Pitch:
A little more technical this one. In a perfect world, with no losses, pitch is the theoretical distance your boat would move forward for one revolution of the prop. Along with diameter and material, there are usually variables by which you select a prop. (More of that later.) Contour: The familiar `Mickey Mouse's Ear' shape for a prop blade is not the only one available. Contour is the blade shape, looked at along the shaft axis.

Skew:
Consider the cartoon artist drawing Mickey Mouse. If Mickey suddenly accelerated, the ends of his ears would be drawn stretched back. That is positive skew. Negative skew would be his ears overshooting when he stopped. Large amounts of positive skew help shed weeds and allow cleaner entry for a blade that breaks the surface.

Rake:
They rake if they're being drawn back by the forward speed of the boat. So, instead of a flat arc for the blades to rotate in, an overall dishing effect from hub to tip produces a cone. Zero rake is a flat disc, flat rake is like a Chinaman's hat and curved rake is like his wok! Rake helps reduce cavitation and ventilation. Because of the props extra grip, the front of the boat will lift more, a problem for light boats.

Cupping:
The trailing edge of the prop blade is usually turned away from the boat slightly. This is cupping. The amount can be tweaked to fine tune your peak RPM. Cupping produces similar benefits to Rake and adjusting it should be left to the experts.

Materials:
The material your prop is made from has a great effect on your choice. Plastic is cheap, but flexible and prone to serious, as in throw away, damage. Some `plastic' props get around this by having replaceable blades. This also allows easy pitch changes. Next, and probably the most common, is aluminium (alloy). These give good service at a relatively low cost. Repairs can be made to minor blade `dings' making this a good all round working prop. Stainless steel is the choice for the more serious performance user. Stainless props are harder wearing and grip better due to less distortion. They are also much more resistant to damage due to ventilation and cavitation. On the down side is the higher initial cost and greater mass. The cost factor is straightfor­ward. The extra mass means harder loadings on your gearbox. With more weight to kick into life, the drive dogs in your gearbox take more of a battering. Also, more energy is stored in the prop so that changes of throttle setting again produce additional loading and gear train.

Ventilation and Cavitation:
The outcome of both of these is very similar. the prop loses grip, your engine revs rise (with the associated roar) and forward thrust drops.

The cause for the two problems is very different. Ventilation is air from the surface or exhaust getting drawn into the prop. Cavitation is water vapour boiling out and again reducing the ability of the prop to thrust correctly. when the vapour condenses, the resulting implosion erodes away the metal of the blade (cavitation burn). Ventila­tion can be greatly reduced by a plate built into the drive leg (often wrongly called the cavitation plate) and a slight flaring of the hub to reduce exhaust feeding back into the prop. Cavitation is most likely due to poor blade design or blade damage. The solution is obvious.