Anacortes Yacht Charters Surprise User manual

OPERATIONS MANUAL
Specifications
LOA
38’ 6 ½”
LWL
32’ 10”
Beam
12’ 11”
Draft
5’ 4”
Displacement
17,416 lb.
Roller Furling Sails
Welcome aboard!
We are happy you have chosen the Surprise for your vacation. We are sure you will enjoy
cruising in the lovely islands of the Pacific Northwest.
We hope this paper manual and the accompanying eManual will help you become familiar with
the boat. Please remember this is a non-smoking vessel. Always smoke outside. If you have
questions about the boat or about places to visit, please do not hesitate to ask the AYC staff.

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Table of Contents
BOAT OPERATION .........................................................................................................................................3
Engine Inspection......................................................................................................................................3
Engine........................................................................................................................................................4
Starting......................................................................................................................................................4
Shutdown..................................................................................................................................................4
Getting Underway.....................................................................................................................................5
Docking .....................................................................................................................................................5
Fueling Up .................................................................................................................................................5
BOAT SYSTEMS.............................................................................................................................................. 7
Electrical Systems...................................................................................................................................... 7
110-Volt AC System...............................................................................................................................7
12-volt DC System.................................................................................................................................8
Sanitation System .....................................................................................................................................9
Marine Toilet.........................................................................................................................................9
Holding Tank ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Water Systems ........................................................................................................................................11
Fresh Water Tanks ..............................................................................................................................11
Fresh Water Pressure Pump ...............................................................................................................11
Hot Water Tank...................................................................................................................................11
Shower ................................................................................................................................................12
Galley ......................................................................................................................................................12
Propane Oven and Cooktop................................................................................................................12
Microwave ..........................................................................................................................................12
Refrigeration .......................................................................................................................................12
Heating....................................................................................................................................................13
Forced-Air Furnace (AC or DC) ............................................................................................................13
Space Heater (AC) ...............................................................................................................................13
Electronics...............................................................................................................................................14
VHF Radio............................................................................................................................................14
Command & Navigation Equipment ...................................................................................................14
Autopilot: ............................................................................................................................................15
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS.........................................................................................................................15
TV/DVD Player.....................................................................................................................................15
ANCHORING ................................................................................................................................................16
Anchor & Windlass..............................................................................................................................16
Mooring Cans......................................................................................................................................16
SAILS AND RIGGING ....................................................................................................................................18
Troubleshooting:.................................................................................................................................18
Wheel......................................................................................................................................................18
Winch Handles ........................................................................................................................................19
Emergency Tiller......................................................................................................................................19
BARBECUE...................................................................................................................................................19
DINGHY .......................................................................................................................................................20

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OTHER .........................................................................................................................................................20
Safety ......................................................................................................................................................20
Bilge Pump: .............................................................................................................................................20
Spares......................................................................................................................................................21

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BOAT OPERATION
Engine Inspection
Remember your “WOBBS” every morning. Water, Coolant, Oil, Bilges (Inspect and Pump-out),
Belts and Sea Strainer.
Check the level of COOLANT in the expansion tank. Engine coolant is a mixture of 50%
antifreeze and water. Check the level of OIL, in the engine with the dipstick. A pair of etch
marks on the dipstick indicates the proper oil level. Do not overfill! Make sure the dipstick is
firmly put back in. Check the oil with a paper towel or a rag, not a dish towel. Check the
general condition of the BELTS, HOSES and FUEL LINES. Ensure the valve on each RAW WATER
THROUGH-HULL is in the ‘open’ position (lever in-line with valve). Your through-hull and
strainer are located as indicated on the diagram below.
Observe the glass of each RAW WATER STRAINER for debris. If necessary, close the seacock,
open the strainer cover, clean the strainer, and reassemble. Be careful to seat the O ring
properly or you will have a leak. REOPEN THE THROUGH-HULL. Familiarize yourself with the
location of ALL thru hulls in the boat –wooden plugs are in the port cabinet main salon and
valves are located at the site of each thru hull.
If the boat begins to take on water: CHECK ALL THRU HULLS, AND TURN ALL VALVES OFF
(CLOSED). (Except possibly the engine intake). The normal position for all valves is OPEN
(valve handle parallel with hose).
Forward Cabin through-hull
under sink
Cockpit drains
Galley through-hull
under sink
Engine Intake through-hull at
base of ladder under floor
Stern tube through-hull
aft of engine
Holding tank
macerator out
Engine exhaust
Head: 2 through-hulls
sink & head
Surprise Thru-Hull and
above waterline Fittings
Forward Cabin through-hull
under sink
Cockpit drains
Galley through-hull
under sink
Engine Intake through-hull at
base of ladder under floor
Stern tube through-hull
aft of engine
Holding tank
macerator out
Engine exhaust
Head: 2 through-hulls
sink & head
Surprise Thru-Hull and
above waterline Fittings

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Engine
Surprise has a 42 horsepower Westerbeke diesel engine. The engine stop is located on the port
cockpit coaming, along with tachometer, hour meter, and engine warning lights. There is a
single lever engine throttle control (forward, neutral, reverse) at the starboard helm.
This boat has a definite prop walk to the port in reverse with not much noticeable effect in
forward. When in reverse be careful to keep a firm grip on the wheel. Use only low RPMs.
CRUISE AT 2300 RPM –this will result in 6-6.5 knots. It is best NOT to exceed 2500 RPM.
Anything beyond 2500rpm will not result in higher speed but will greatly increase fuel and oil
consumption and the wear on the engine.
Starting
Always check the oil and coolant before starting the engine.
Put the key in the key switch and turn it on.
Be sure that the engine battery switch in the aft cabin is turned on.
Make sure the “Kill” handle is pushed in all the way (also be sure that the fuel shut off in
the aft cabinet is pushed all of the way in).
Press the button in the center of the throttle handle to disengage transmission and push
the throttle forward or aft about a quarter of the way.
Hold the pre-heat button in for 30 seconds.
With the pre-heat button held in, press the start button.
Let the engine run for a moment, and then bring the throttle lever back to the idle
position.
Do not operate the starter for more than 10-seconds at a time. If the engine doesn’t
start, wait at least 30-seconds before trying again.
Allow the engine to warm up by idling for approximately 5 minutes before putting under
load.
BE SURE THAT EXHAUST WATER IS BEING EJECTED, shutdown if not.
Normal cruising speed is 2300 rpm.
Shutdown
Move the throttle handle to upward position, neutral.
Allow the engine to cool down for at least a couple minutes. Usually this is the amount
of time it takes to secure your lines and plug into shore power.
Pull out the “kill handle all the way – and wait for the engine to stop.
NEVER turn off the key with the engine running.
Turn the key off only after the engine has stopped.

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Getting Underway
To disconnect, first turn off the AC POWER CIRCUIT BREAKER on the ELECTRICAL PANEL.
Disconnect the POWER CORD from the boat inlet located on the port side of the transom. Last,
disconnect the shore receptacle. To reconnect shore power, plug in cord, turn on shore
breaker and then turn on ship’s AC breaker. Watch for reverse polarity.
Close the PORTHOLES, WINDOWS, and FORWARD HATCH. Once outside the marina, idle the
engines while crew brings in fenders and lines. Assign one crew member to be in charge of
securing ports and assign one to be in charge of the dinghy if towing. Shorten the line on all
close-quartering maneuvers.
Docking
Have your crew make ready the lines and fenders and give clear instructions on how you will be
docking. Have bow, stern and spring lines ready. Often times it is best to lead them to the mid
section of the boat (the fattest part) where your crew members can easily step off and secure
either one.
As you are coming in to dock, have your best communicator mid ships to give you distances
from the dock. It is often hard to judge how close the dock is. Calling out distances (i.e. 20 feet,
10 feet, 4 feet, etc) will only add to a successful docking.
If you find you are too far off the dock, BACK OFF and do it again. THERE WILL BE NO HEROIC
JUMPING OF CREW MEMBERS! Disaster will hit if you lose someone overboard.
Fueling Up
You will need to fuel up before returning to your slip at the end of your charter.
The fuel tank holds 42 gallons of DIESEL fuel.
Before pumping, have an oil/fuel sorbs handy to soak up spilled fuel.
You should have a rough idea of the number of gallons you will need by the engine hour
indicator. Your vessel uses approximately a 1/2 gallon per hour at cruising speed.
You should hold a paper cup under the vent, or use a sorb cloth at the vent, when the
tank is almost full in order to avoid spilling diesel fuel by overflowing the tank.
Additionally, periodically have someone turn on the key to watch the nav station fuel
gauge.
The fuel cap is located on the starboard side of the transom. CHECK THAT YOU HAVE THE
CORRECT DECK OPENING! Use only DIESEL. Do not add water or pump-out at the same time
you are fueling. Your deck fitting key is located in the Chart Table at the Nav station.

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Place the DIESEL nozzle into the tank opening, pump slowly and evenly, and note the sound of
the fuel flow. Pumping too fast may not allow enough time for air to escape, which may result
in spouting from the tank opening. As the tank fills, the sound will rise in pitch or gurgle. Pay
attention to the TANK OVERFLOW VENT on the outside of the hull opposite the tank opening.
The sound may indicate that the tank is nearly full. Top off carefully, and be prepared to catch
spilled fuel. Spillage may result in a nasty fine from law enforcement. Replace deck cap.
Caution ---Clean up splatter and spillage immediately for environmental and health reasons.
Wash hands with soap and water thoroughly.

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BOAT SYSTEMS
Electrical Systems
The electrical system is divided into two distribution systems: 110-volt AC and 12-volt DC.
The systems are controlled from the AC ELECTRICAL PANEL located below the Nav station, the
DC AUXILIARY PANEL located at the Nav station, and the BATTERY SWITCHES which are located
in the forward part of the aft cabin. When not connected to shore power, batteries provide all
power. Therefore, monitor the use of onboard electricity carefully with your voltmeter located
at the Nav station, and turn off electrical devices that are not needed.
Most breakers are labeled by colored dots. Green signifies “On when operating”. Red is
“Always off”. Blue dots are left on for cleaning crew. Yellow signifies items to use only as
needed to conserve battery life.
110-Volt AC System
SHORE POWER supports the water heater and the battery charger.
To connect to shore power, plug the POWER CORD into the boat and then into the doc
receptacle. Check the power rating/plug size of the nearest dock receptacle (that is 30 amp, 20
amp or 15 amp). If necessary, add a CORD ADAPTER located in storage closet below the TV.
Turn the breaker on the dock box on. Cords coming off the bow can be wrapped loosely
around the bow line but take care that the cord cannot touch the water.
At the ELECTRICAL PANEL, flip the AC CURCUIT BREAKER on. Check for reverse polarity. Then
turn on appropriate breakers for battery charger, and water heater. If you are not getting
power to your outlets, check that one of the GFIs have not been tripped.
Inverter Power (110-volt AC)
The INVERTER provides AC power only to the 110-volt receptacle plugs (i.e. TV, microwave)
when the boat is disconnected from shore power. The water heater and the boat battery
charger are automatically disconnected when the inverter is providing power.
NOTE: Use the microwave ONLY when plugged into shore power, as it will rapidly deplete the
batteries if used with the inverter.
The inverter panel is located at the Nav station with an on/off switch. It doubles as a battery
charger when plugged into shore power. The display should read “Float” or “Absorb” charging.
The inverter’s power source is the DC house or inverter batteries. The Surprise has 2 pairs of
house batteries –2 forward of the engine and two aft on the starboard side under the aft berth.

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The quantity of DC power is limited to the capacity of these batteries. Therefore, running hair
dryers, toaster, electric coffeepots, space heaters, microwave, etc. will quickly discharge the
house/inverter batteries. Use these items VERY SPARINGLY! Monitory your battery usage very
carefully!
12-volt DC System
House Battery Bank Switch
5 battery banks support the 12-volt DC power c/o: 1-engine battery, 4-house batteries. The
BATTERY SWITCHES are located in the forward part of the aft cabin on the wall (behind
companionway step).
The 12-volt panel shows all the systems supported by our batteries. Primarily you will be
turning on the breakers for lights, water pressure, electronics, etc. Interior lights are also
powered from a circuit breaker on this panel but many have individual switches at each fixture.
Bilge pumps should always be left on. All the breakers should be turned off after every use.
The HOUSE BATTERY BANK provides power for all DC systems. When disconnected from shore
power, all 12-volt devices and 110-volt devices drain the house batteries.
Battery systems will lose their charge while ANCHORED or MOORED. Avoid this by using power
sparingly at anchor. Turn the refrigerator off at night. Use only one or two lights at a time.
Turn off systems not in use such as instruments, VHF, stereo, etc. If you do not need the cabin
heater, turn it off. If you stay moored for more than a day, run your engine just above idle to
recharge your batteries. WATCH YOUR VOLTAGE! Batteries are charged by the engine
ALTERNATOR while underway. The engine/house batteries are also charged by the BATTERY
CHARGER when connected to shore power.
Note –Do not change the position of the battery switches while the engine is running or the
alternator diodes will be damaged. Change positions only with the engine off.
Voltage (Wet Cell Battery)
Battery State
12.65 volts
100%
12.47 volts
75%
12.25 volts
50%
11.95 volts
25%
11.70 volts
0%

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Sanitation System
Marine Toilet
The marine head is installed below the water line. Make sure the selection lever on the head is
returned to the dry bowl position. Failure to do so could result on the bowl overflowing and
flooding the boat with water.
It is important that every member of the crew be informed on the proper use of the MARINE
TOILET. The valves, openings, and pumps are small and may clog easily. If the toilet clogs, it is
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Always pump the head for children so you can make sure nothing
foreign are being flushed.
Caution –Never put paper, paper towels, tampons, Kleenex, sanitary napkins, or food into the
marine toilet. Instead, dispose of these items in the trash container. Make sure the trash
container has a plastic liner installed before using. Liners located under head sink.
To flush head:
Use the manual pump to pump in water and to flush out. Set the switch to the right to
flush out and to the left to pump in water. Start with flushing out. After the bowl is
clear, pump 10 times, then switch to “dry bowl” and pump the bowl dry.
It is very important to leave the valve in the dry bowl/flush position.
Under the head sink, there is a y-valve that controls whether the flushed material goes to the
holding tank. Please consult Coast Guard regulations as to when it is legal to flush the head
overboard.
Holding Tank
The holding tank holds approximately 15 gallons of waste. Be aware of the rate of waste
production (about 1 gallon per flush). With an overfilled tank, it is possible to break a hose, clog
a vent or burst the tank. The result will be indescribable catastrophe and an EXPENSIVE FIX to
you. Empty the tank every other day, or sooner, to avoid this problem.
The HOLDING TANK is located aft part of the aft cabin. You can open the access to the holding
tank in the aft part of the aft cabin to see the tank and the pump (and to tell when it is empty or
full).