Flexboat SR 550 Owner's Manual

''''

llll

SSSS

OOOO

tttt

uuuu

eeee

tttt

rrrr

bbbb

nnnn

oooo

dddd

aaaa

rrrr

iiii

dddd

vvvv

dddd

eeee

vvvv

eeee

rrrr

ssss

iiii

oooo

nnnn

oooo

nnnn

vvvv

eeee

rrrr

ssss

iiii

oooo

vvvv

eeee

rrrr

ssss

vvvv

eeee

rrrr

ssss

iiii

01 - Introduction 02 - Flexboat history 03 - Builders Certificates 04 - Vessel Registration 05 - Owner responsibilities 06 - SR 550 features

6.1 - Versions

6.2 - Dimensions and specifications (all versions)

6.3 - SR 550 in details

07- Knowing the SR 550 SD

7.1- Specifications

7.2- Details SR 550 SD

7.3- Basic items

7.4- Mandatory items

7.5- Optional items

08 - Knowing the SR 550 OB

8.1- Specifications

8.2- Details SR 550 OB

8.3- Basic items

8.4- Mandatory items

8.5- Optional items 09 - Optional items details 10 - How to inflate your Flexboat 11 - Maximum capacity 12 - Engine ratings 13 - Maintenance and cleaning

13.1 - Hull and cockpit cleaning

13.2 - Tube cleaning

13.2.1 - Using the Hypalon cleaning Blue Kit

13.3 - Stainless steel cleaning

13.4 - Windshield cleaning

13.5 - Upholstery cleaning

13.6 - Fresh water tank cleaning

13.7 - Teak cleaning

13.8 - Cleaning products NOT TO BE USED on board 14 - Before navigation

14.1 - Complete checklist, still in land

14.2 - In-water checklist

14.3 - Engine starting checklist 15 - Onboard safety 16 - Anchoring your Flexboat

16.1 - Launching the anchor

16.2 - Retrieving the anchor

16.3 - Electronic assistance while anchoring 17 - Navigation tips 18 - Returning from your trip 19 - Fuel

19.1 - Fueling the boat

19.2 - Using the right fuels 20 - Engine care 21 - Trailers and craddles

21.1 - Classification

21.2 - Trailer laws

21.3 - Tying down the boat on its trailer

21.4 - Hitting the road with your Flexboat on a trailer

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

Index

21.5 - Safety driving tips 22 - Bimini top and storage cover

22.1 - Bimini and storage cover maintenance

22.2 - Bimini and storage cover cleaning 23 - Small repairs on the tubes 24 - Air valve replacement 25 - Final considerations 26 - Warranty 27 - Warranty card

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

1 – Introduction

Congratulations! You have just purchased a FLEXBOAT.

A lightweight, versatile and dynamic vessel. Stability, safety and high capacity are just some of its strengths.

We only utilize the highest quality materials and components to build our boats. The tubes are built with the best material imported from France, a fabric made of Hypalon, Neoprene and Polyester which is highly hermetic and extremely resistant to abrasion, chemicals, sun rays, and wear & tear. The use of those materials guarantees Flexboat inflatables its superior durability.

Boating means spending good moments in the water. To make sure you achieve this we strongly suggest you read this manual. Here you will learn how to handle your boat and how to drive it in a safe way. You will also learn how to take care of your boat, do some basic troubleshooting, how to properly maintain it. And you will also find information about its warranty. Our goal is helping you getting the most of your Flexboat so you can enjoy it safely.

Our products are under constant development and improvement. All images, drawings, descriptions and specifications in this manual reflect the most current models available.

Flexboat reserves the right to do changes to this Manual at any time as needed.

2 – Flexboat History

Late 1988 Jaime Jose Alves Silva, an entrepreneur from Rio de Janeiro, decided to settle in Sao Paulo after travelling to Italy and France searching for technology and for the most advanced materials in order to start building the best inflatable boats in Brazil.

FLEXBOAT CONSTRUCOES NAUTICAS LTDA was born in 1990 in its facility located in the city of Atibaia, 40 miles from the city of Sao Paulo, on a 270,000 sq ft area right across the Fernao Dias Highway. The city of Atibaia was chosen due to its prime location as a transportation hub and also because it is close to the main marine markets in Brazil's south / southeast regions.

Since then 28 years have demanded lots of work and dedication. During this period FLEXBOAT has created a brand name which is a reference of quality. It has turned into a synonym of inflatable boats.

Since its inception FLEXBOAT has been using Hypalon (special fabric based on rubber and neoprene, imported from France) to build its tubes. This material and its incomparable features guarantees the boats will have the highest safety standard. It makes sure the boats will last longer. When used in conjunction with other high quality raw materials and components and when handled by a team of highly trained and qualified workers the final result is FLEXBOAT, the best inflatable boat made in Brazil.

After starting building small inflatables up to 12 feet long Flexboat kept on expanding its product line until the release of the SR 1000, the largest (33 ft) and most advanced inflatable build in Brazil. Until now more than 15,000 boats were built and sold in Brazil, USA, Caribbean and Europe.

In 2005 FLEXBOAT started the development of boats focused on military use and since then we have become the main vendor for Brazil armed forces. Federal Police, Navy, Firemen, First Responders, IBAMA and Ambient Police are among FLEXBOAT customers.

FLEXBOAT is looking to the future and working onto increasing its product offering in the leisure market by offering larger boats with a cabin, and other innovations, both for the Brazilian and International markets. In the military and professional sectors, FLEXBOAT is developing a new line of products that will be second to none.

This is FLEXBOAT!

Best regards,

THE FLEXBOAT TEAM

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

3 – Quality you can trust

All our boats are subjected to quality tests before delivery to the customer, guaranteeing a superior level of quality.

4 – Vessel registration

You should register your boat according to the local laws and regulations. Please contact your nearest marine authorities or your closest FLEXBOAT dealer if needed

5 – Owner responsibilities

The owner or user is responsible for acknowledging and following the requirements and procedures below:

• Coast Guard registration

• Insurance

• Warranty registration

• Warranty terms and conditions

• Correct usage and maintenance of the boat and its systems

• Safety equipment

• Passengers safety preparation and training

• Knowledge of the boats systems

• Knowledge of the sea conditions

• Safe practices

• No use of drugs and alcohol

• Environmental regulations

• Accident reports

• Operators license if needed

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

1 –

6 – SR 550 features

The Flexboat SR 550 is a 19 ft long inflatable which was designed with the leisure markets in mind.The SR 550 has a deep V fiberglass hull laminated with high quality gelcoat and other materials, and inflatable tubes fabricated with the frech fabric based on Hypalon, Neoprene and Polyester. It has 4 independent air chambers.

6.1 – Versions

There are two versions of the SR 550:

► SD (Sterndrive) SR 550 SD - for Sterndrive engines. Offering very quiet engines, this option offers

a free swim platform and a very stable boat. This engine is heavier that an Outboard engine.

► OB (Outboard) SR 550 OB - for Outboard engines. They are versatile and can easily be installed

or removed from the boat.

6.2 – Dimensions and specifications (all versions)

► Lenght overall outboard version: 19 ft 9 in (6.02 meters) ► Lenght overall sterndrive version: 19 ft 4 in (5.89 meters) ► Lenght overall (tubes): 18 ft 7 in (5.65 meters) ► Lenght (inside): 15 ft 9 in (4.81 meters) ► Beam (outside): 7 ft 9 in (2.36 meters) ► Beam (inside): 4 ft 3 in (1.30 meters) ► Molded depth: 2 ft 11 in (0.90 meters)

►

Draft: 1 ft 3 in (0.37 meters)

► Water line: 15 ft 7 in (4.74 meters) ► Tube diameter (cone shaped): 1 ft 8 in at the stern and 1 ft 4 in at the bow ► Swim platform: 4 ft 1 in X 2 ft (1.24 X 0.60 meters)

Tubes protection while docking: 2 vulcanized rubber profiles applied all around the boat, along the sides of the tubes acting as fenders to protect the tubes during docking and also working as spray deflectors during navigation

6.3 – SR 550 in details

Bow anchor roller.

2 – Fuel deck fill and fresh water deck fill.

3 – Self draining system to avoid spilling

inside the boat during fueling.

4 – Stainless steel cleat

5 – Fuel tank vent

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

1 -

 Watertight  Watertight bow storage compartment with 34 gal capacity, ideal for items that should not get wet.  Fiberglass storage cover with stainless steel hinges and stainless steel latches, with actuators for

ease of use.

 Seat cushion made with Hinterschaum injection process with no seam

1 – 13 gallon insulated dry storage compartment (cooler)

in front of the console

2 – Seat and backrest use cushions made with

Hinterschaum injection process with no seams.

3 – Removable backrest giving access to the back of the

instrument panel

4 – Stainless steel armrests

Compass 2 - Windshield 3 - Auxiliary fuel tank vent 4 - Stainless steel safety rail 5 - Steering wheel 6 - Instruments 7 - Engine controls 8 - Air vent 9 - Electronic panel

10 - 12V outlet 11 - CD / stereo 12 - VHF radio 13 - Glove box

Console with glove box, fire extinguisher dedicated location, access door to the back side of the instrument panel, acrylic windshield with stainless steel safety rail around, insulated dry storage compartment (cooler) in front of the console, seat and backrest use cushions made with Hinterschaum injection process with no seams.

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

Stainless steel structure seat with seat and backrest cuhions made with with Hinterschaum injection process with no seams.

The seat can fold up with the help of an actuator so the boat can be driven either in seated or standing position.

7 – Knowing the SR 550 SD

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

7.1 – Specifications

 Maximum capacity: 1 captain + 6 passengers.  Maximum cargo capacity: 3,525 lbs (1,600 kg)  Stainless steel fuel tank with 2 baffles and 37 gallons capacity (140 liters)  Fuel level indicator gauge  Rotomolded fresh water tank with 9 gal (35 liters) capacity  Water level indicator gauge  Total weight (no engine, no accessorioes, no fuel, no water): 1,300 lbs (590 kg)  4 independent air chambers.

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

7.2 – Details SR 550 SD

Large anchor locker with dedicated stainless steel

mooring ring to tie the anchor line. There is room enough to store a 12 lbs anchor with 350 ft of 3/8 line.

2 - 34 gallon capacity watertight box in the bow with

fiberglass cover, stainless steel hinges and latch. Seat and backrest with injected Hinterschaum cushions.

3 - 13 gallon capacity insulated box (cooler) in front of the

console

4 - Large engine compartment with room to accomodate the

sterndrive engine and accessories. It also offers room to store small objects.

Captain seat

2 - Access to fuel tank 3 - Drain 4 - Three bilge vents 5 - Stainless steel grab handle 6 - Stainless steel latches 7 - Cup holders 8 - Seat that can be raised with

the help of actuators

9 - 2 stainless steel cleats 10 – Backrest 11 - Stainless steel ladder

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

Transom plate plug with lanyard Sterndrive engine

 Swim platform  2 bilge vents  Freshwater shower  Stainless steel ladder  Stainless steel grab handle

7.3 - Basic items

 Stainless steel bow rooler in the bow.  Transom plate plug.  Stainless steel fuel tank with 2 baffles and 37 gallons capacity (140 liters)  Fuel deck fill located in the bow deck, with vent, and with self draining system in case of spilling  1 stainless steel cleat in the bow and 2 in the stern.  Stainless steel structure seat for captain with seat amd backrest cuhions made with Hintershaum

injection process with no seams. The seat can fold up with the help of an actuator so the boat can be driven either in seated or standing up position.

 Stern seat and backrest using cushions made with Hintershaum injection process with no seams.  Stainless steel ladder on the swim platform.  Fresh water kit consisting of rotomolded fresh water tank with 9 gal (35 liters) capacity, pressurized 1.6

gph pump, bow deck fill plate, shower, hoses, etc.

 Repair kit.  2 paddles.  Inflating pump.

7.4 - Mandatory items

 Engine and control station. Recommended engine: 1 Sterndrive up to 150 HP  Steering wheel  Power steering  Compass  Bilge pump  Fire extinguisher  Battery  Electronic panel  1 battery main switch  Engine instruments  Fuel filter

7.5 - Optional items

 Marine carpet  Teak floor  Stainless steel arch with room for several accessories  Anchor kit  Ski pylon  Storage cover  Bimini top  Stainless steel towing kit

8 – Knowing the SR 550 OB

Owner’s Manual – SR 550

+ 27 hidden pages

Flexboat SR 550 Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual