general information for dowco ratchet style mooring ... · 1. position cover evenly over corners of...

Item # 142124-00Revised 5/23/07

DOWCO, Inc. Fax: 920-682-58914230 Clipper Drive Phone: 1-800-558-7755Manitowoc, WI 54220 Website: www.dowco-inc.com

General Information for DOWCO RatchetStyle Mooring/Trailerable covers.

Please Read: It is very important to us at DOWCO Inc. that you, our customer, read and understand these installationinstructions. If while reading these instructions you are unsure about installing the cover, please feel freeto contact us at 1-800-558-7755. Improper installation as a result of not following these instructions mayresult in damage to the cover that is not covered by the warranty.

1. Unfold the cover and locate the tag that reads, "Front" sewn intothe underside. This side of the cover should be placed towardthe front and inside of the boat. Hook the cover around the bowand pull to the back of the boat. Be sure the back corners andsides are pulled evenly and the cover is centered. Note: Position trolling motor blades to the inside of boat -

if installed. Cover should fit smoothly over the bow.Note: Flaps for access to cleats on boats are optional.

2. Locate safety strap at front of cover and secure to trailer nearwinch mounting area.

Installing the Cover - Bow

Installing the Cover - Aft

1. Position cover evenly over corners of boat and unbuckleTransom Strap with protector pads.

2. Place strap with pads across back of boat (under lower unitof outboard motor). Connect strap and move pads to have themost effect for wear against the boat.

Note: The Starboard strap is the one with the adjustment. Itneeds to have a ‘loop’ formed for initial adjustment Thenext three steps should only need to be done the firsttime the cover is placed on the boat.

Released

Closed

BOW AFT

Secured endto Ratchet

Loose endthru ratchet

Secured endto Ratchet

Loose endthru ratchet

Continuous Rope Adjustable strap

Non-adjustablestrap

NOTE: Tie knot in loose end of rope after passing through ratchet

Note: There may be some boat covers that have straps at thestern. They need to be loosely secured at this time.For covers with pole pockets - the pole(s) need to beplaced in the pocket and assembly extended until coveris taut. Do not trailer with poles in place!

TRANSOM STRAP

Adjustment Loop

Release Tension With Ratchet Before Unbuckling Strap!

Position Buckle andWeb Strap away fromany pinch point whenlowering motor!

Item # 142124-00Revised 5/23/07


3. From the back of the boat, pull the Portside strap sothat the ratchet is furthest to the rear of the pocket.

4. Pull the Starboard strap so that it’s ratchet is fur-thest to the rear of it’s pocket.

5. Remove slack with adjustment on Starboard strap.Reposition pads if needed.

Note: Photo to the left shows Starboard ratchet in it’smost rearward position. (Ratchet shown inclosed position.)

Ratchet Positions - Tighten and Release

Rope travel

Tighten

Free/Stow

Pull

Swing Handle

Rope free travel

In ‘Freewheel’ position handle is fullyopen with upper slide on top of stopsand lower slide away from spool.

Upper Slide Lower SlideStops

1. To tighten cover on boat, hold ratchet assembly with one hand and pull on free end of rope untiltight. Repeat on other side.

2. Rotate ratchet arm toward rear to tighten, push forward for another grip.3. When cover is sufficiently tight it should be difficult to get fingers under cover.

4. To release ratchet - pull outward (up) on outer slide and swingratchet to full open position. at this point ratchet will ‘Pop’ releasingtension. Move arm fully toward top so the upper slide rests onstops. This will allow spool to freewheel. Pulling on the ratchetassembly will give enough slack in cover to allow it’s easy removal.It is not necessary to pull rope free from ratchet.

5. Release all other straps and remove cover.

Rope Tension

Cover direction during tensionThis cover is designed to‘bow’ in the center toprovide for a tighter fit tohull.

Item # 142124-00Revised 5/23/07


Side Straps (locations of straps will vary slightly by model)

Sewn web tabw/tri-glide buckle

Bottom of boat cover

Web Strap

Female End

Male End

Pull end downto tighten strap

Snap Hook (not available on all covers. Attaches toEye Strap on trailer)

Side straps must beused when trailering theboat. There is one strapper side.Note: When the trailerframe is not accessible,some strap assemblieshave a buckle that isclipped to Eye Strapsattached to the trailerfenders.

Preventing Tears:Important: The most common mistake, which leads to a damaged cover, is improper strapping.

The rope and all straps must be taut. (NO slack or play in the fabric) Failure to properly tighten straps and the cover may result in cover movement and flapping that could causedamage to the cover and/or the boat.

Also, please take time to look for possible points of abrasion(sharp objects or angles) where the cover may rub and be damaged.Add protective padding (foam or soft cloth) as needed.Tighten all straps.Storage and Care:1. Never store the cover while wet. Dry the cover prior to storage; this will

help prevent mildew growth, which will damage the fabric.2. Clean the cover with mild soap and water to remove dirt, bird droppings, etc.3. Prevent sharp objects, solvents, and hot items from coming into contact with the cover.4. If stored outdoors, do not allow ice or water to accumulate on the cover, as they may cause

damage. Please follow instructions closely to reduce or eliminate the threat of wateraccumulation.

Eye Strap

As with all covers, trailering for long time periods at high speeds can cause some rubbing on the boat. Please take time to inspect the cover for anycontact with graphics or logos and protect them with cloth or foam.

DOWCO Marine Warranty Statement

DOWCO Marine Limited Warranty

Pontoon Mooring Covers & Trailerable Boat Covers 5-Year Limited Warranty: D O W C O , Inc . w arran ts , to the orig ina l purchaser, the tra ile rab le boat cover and pontoon m ooring cover to be free from defec ts in m ateria l and w orkm ansh ip fo r a period o f 5 years from date o f purchase. T h is w arran ty is sub jec t to the fo llow ing cond itions :

F irs t 24 M onths : A ll D O W C O , Inc . boat cove rs p roven to be de fec tive w ith in 24 m onths from the da te o f pu rchase w ill be repa ired o r rep laced, a t D O W C O option , a t no charge.

A fte r 24 M onths T hrough 60 M onths : A ll D O W C O , Inc . boat covers p roven to be de fec tive w ill be repa ired

on a labor on ly bas is , o r rep laced on a pro -ra ted bas is . T he rep lacem ent cost w ill be based the curren t suggested re ta il p r ice .

Pontoon Enclosure 2-Year Limited Warranty:

D O W C O , Inc . w arran ts , to the orig ina l purchaser, the enc losure to be free from defec ts in m ateria l and w orkm ansh ip fo r a period o f 2 years from date o f purchase . T h is w arran ty is sub jec t to the fo llow ing cond itions :

A ll D O W C O , Inc . enc losures proven to be de fec tive w ith in 2 years from the da te o f o rig ina l purchase w ill be repa ired or rep laced, a t D O W C O option , a t no charge.

Warranty Terms and Conditions (Covers and Enclosures):

DOWCO enclosures and pontoon covers are NOT trailerable. T his w arran ty does no t cover dam age caused by tra ile ring , m isuse, neg lec t, acc iden t o r im proper ins ta lla tion , a llow ing the cover to com e in contac t w ith chem ica ls o r tree sap, a llow ing w a ter o r ice to accum ula te or pocket, no t p roperly securing the cover o r a llow ing sharp ob jec ts to dam age cover. D O W C O m akes no express or im p lied w arran ties o the r than w arran ties se t fo rth here in , inc lud ing , w ithout lim ita tion , the w arran ties o f m erchantab ility, fitness fo r a particu la r purpose , o r from any course o f dea ling or trade usage. A ll inc identa l and/or consequentia l dam ages are exc luded from th is w arran ty. Im p lied w arran ties a re lim ited to the life o f th is w arran ty. S om e s ta tes do no t a llow lim ita tions on how long an im p lied w arran ty las ts o r the exc lus ion o f inc identa l o r consequentia l dam ages, so the above exc lus ions or lim ita tions m ay not app ly to you. T h is w arran ty g ives you spec ific lega l righ ts . Y ou m ay a lso have o ther lega l r igh ts w h ich m ay vary fo rm s ta te to s ta te , IN N O E V E N T S H A LL D O W C O B E L IA B LE FO R A N Y A M O U N T IN E X C E S S O F T H E P U R C H A S E P R IC E O F T H E C O V E R O R E N C LO S U R E .

general information for dowco ratchet style mooring ... · 1. position cover evenly over corners of...

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