- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,731
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
The following quote is from this post on the Owners Manual thread. Rather than sidetrack that discussion, I started this new one.
NS, I'm in the middle of doing the same thing. I've got manuals for most of the components and electronics, but, until now, general system knowledge is not documented anywhere. With this manual, an experienced boater should be able to operate the boat systems. It will also include helpful facts for system maintenance. The individual component manuals provided by the manufacturer will be included in pockets within the Ops Manual binder. PDF versions of these manuals where available will be included in the digital version.
I've got roughs written for main chapters. I gave mine some thought and decided to go with chapters similar to an airplane manual, but generally arranged from bow to stern for easier reference. For example, the Bow section includes the windlass info, but the RW washdown system on the bow and stern is located in the plumbing section.
I'm curious how others have arranged their manuals. Here is how mine is set up:
Operations and Systems Manual
Specifications and Capacities
General
Propulsion
Perkins 4.236 Engines
Borg Warner CR-2 Transmissions
Fuel System
Props, Shafts and PSS Dripless Shaft Logs
Bow
Lewmar 1000 Windlass
Head
Helms and Electronics
Windshield Wiper
Steering Pumps
Garmin 128
Garmin 276C Chartplotter
Raytheon SL70 Radar
Ritchie Magnetic Compass
Simrad-Navico 5000 Autopilot
Furuno Fish Finder
Standard Horizon VHF Comm Radio
Icom M422 VHF Comm Radio
Laptop Chartplotter/GPS Receiver
Bennett Trim Tabs
FogMate Fog Horn
Electrical System
Electrical System Schematic
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
Anchor/running Lights
Pro Mariner 1230 30A Battery Smart Charger
Start and House Battery Banks and Selector Switches
Alternators
Yandina Combiner
Xantrex LinkPro Battery Monitor
Xantrex 1000W Inverter
Honda eu2000i Portable Generator
Plumbing
Jabsco Quiet Flush Head
Holding Tank Monitor
Shower
Freshwater System
Water Heater
Sinks and Faucets
Freshwater Tank Monitor
Thru Hull Discharges and Intakes
Raw Water Washdown
Fresh Water Washdown
Galley
Norcold 12V/110V built-in Refrigerator
Countertop 110V Refrigerator
Propane System
Safety
Storage
Controls
Oven/Stove
Microwave
Coffeemaker
Propane Grills
George Foreman Electric Grill
Salon
Indoor Lighting
HDTV
Stereo and Speakers
Portable Heaters
Portable fans
Portable Shop Vacuum
Storage
Tools
Electrical Tools and Supplies
Spare Parts
CO Monitor Systems
Cockpit Area
Cockpit LEDs
LED Spreader Fishing Lights
Solar Patio Lights
Lazarette Storage
Aft rail gate/Swimstep
Flybridge
Controls
Storage
Dinghy
Achilles 9.5 ft Inflatable
Honda 2HP Motor
It is a recommended guideline from ABYC T-24 (first edition in 1992) to have an owners manual for the boat. Newer boats and higher quality boats will typically have them.
I've been writing one for my boat, mainly for piece of mind if I loan, swap, or charter my boat in the future. Well, actually, because I am a tech manual geek, and it is fun to write.
NS, I'm in the middle of doing the same thing. I've got manuals for most of the components and electronics, but, until now, general system knowledge is not documented anywhere. With this manual, an experienced boater should be able to operate the boat systems. It will also include helpful facts for system maintenance. The individual component manuals provided by the manufacturer will be included in pockets within the Ops Manual binder. PDF versions of these manuals where available will be included in the digital version.
I've got roughs written for main chapters. I gave mine some thought and decided to go with chapters similar to an airplane manual, but generally arranged from bow to stern for easier reference. For example, the Bow section includes the windlass info, but the RW washdown system on the bow and stern is located in the plumbing section.
I'm curious how others have arranged their manuals. Here is how mine is set up:
Operations and Systems Manual
Specifications and Capacities
General
Propulsion
Perkins 4.236 Engines
Borg Warner CR-2 Transmissions
Fuel System
Props, Shafts and PSS Dripless Shaft Logs
Bow
Lewmar 1000 Windlass
Head
Helms and Electronics
Windshield Wiper
Steering Pumps
Garmin 128
Garmin 276C Chartplotter
Raytheon SL70 Radar
Ritchie Magnetic Compass
Simrad-Navico 5000 Autopilot
Furuno Fish Finder
Standard Horizon VHF Comm Radio
Icom M422 VHF Comm Radio
Laptop Chartplotter/GPS Receiver
Bennett Trim Tabs
FogMate Fog Horn
Electrical System
Electrical System Schematic
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
Anchor/running Lights
Pro Mariner 1230 30A Battery Smart Charger
Start and House Battery Banks and Selector Switches
Alternators
Yandina Combiner
Xantrex LinkPro Battery Monitor
Xantrex 1000W Inverter
Honda eu2000i Portable Generator
Plumbing
Jabsco Quiet Flush Head
Holding Tank Monitor
Shower
Freshwater System
Water Heater
Sinks and Faucets
Freshwater Tank Monitor
Thru Hull Discharges and Intakes
Raw Water Washdown
Fresh Water Washdown
Galley
Norcold 12V/110V built-in Refrigerator
Countertop 110V Refrigerator
Propane System
Safety
Storage
Controls
Oven/Stove
Microwave
Coffeemaker
Propane Grills
George Foreman Electric Grill
Salon
Indoor Lighting
HDTV
Stereo and Speakers
Portable Heaters
Portable fans
Portable Shop Vacuum
Storage
Tools
Electrical Tools and Supplies
Spare Parts
CO Monitor Systems
Cockpit Area
Cockpit LEDs
LED Spreader Fishing Lights
Solar Patio Lights
Lazarette Storage
Aft rail gate/Swimstep
Flybridge
Controls
Storage
Dinghy
Achilles 9.5 ft Inflatable
Honda 2HP Motor