Prima Vista Carver 396 Operation Manual

OPERATIONS MANUAL

Prima Vista

Carver 396

Motor Vessel

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Welcome aboard!

We are happy you have chosen Prima Vista for your northwest vacation. Thank you!

This guide is to help you become familiar with Prima Vista, but if you have questions please do
not hesitate to ask the Anacortes Yacht Club (AYC) staff. They are here to make certain you have
a wonderful time. We hope to have done everything we can to ensure you enjoy cruising the lovely
islands and waterways of the Pacific Northwest on our vessel.

Naturally, your main job is to be safe and have fun, but if anything is not how it should be, please
write it down for us to address upon your return. There’s a notebook on-board to help us address
maintenance on all the many working parts on a yacht like this. Anytime throughout your trip,
please let us know how we can make your next charter with us even more enjoyable.

Thank you and enjoy Prima Vista and the beautiful places she takes you!

Joel & Carol, Prima Vista owners
Seattle, Washington

THIS IS A “NO SHOE BOAT”

PLEASE REMOVE YOUR SHOES BEFORE ENTERING THE

MAIN SALON.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Boat Operations

Engine Inspection Page 4
Start-Up Page 5
Shutdown Page 5
Getting Underway Page 6
Using the Canvas Page 6
Cruising Page 7
Docking Page 8
Fueling Page 9

Boat Electrical

A.C. (Shore) Systems Page 10
Diesel Generator Page 12
D.C. (House) Systems Page 12
Battery Map Page 13

Sanitation System

Marine Toilets Page 15
Holding Tanks Page 16
Y-Valve & Macerator Pump Page 16

Water Systems

Fresh Water Tanks Page 17
Hot Water & Showers Page 17
Showers Page 17

Galley

Stove/Oven/Microwave Page 18
Refrigeration/ Ice Maker Page 18

Heating Systems

Diesel Heater (DC) Page 19
Portable Electric Heaters Page 19

Electronics

VHF Radios, Depth Sounder, Radar Page 20
GPS/Plotter Page 20

Entertainment Systems

AM/FM Radio Page 21
TVs/Stereo Page 21

Other Operations

Anchoring/Mooring Cans Page 22
Barbecue Page 24
Dinghy/Outboard Page 25
Crabbing/Fishing Page 26
Bilge Pumps/Safety Page 27
Engine Spare Parts Page 27
Thru Hull Locations Page 27
Yacht Owner’s Manual Page 27

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BOAT OPERATION

Important things to do DAILY

Remember to check a couple things each morning PRIOR to start-up.

1. Engine Coolant
a. Check the level of COOLANT in the expansion tanks on the

top of each engine.

b. Refill only to COLD fill line if needed.
c. You will need to lift the floor deck to access the tank for

refilling

2. Engine Oil

a. Check the level of OIL in each engine by checking

your dipsticks. Look at the etch marks on each dipstick
that indicate the proper oil level.

b. DO NOT OVERFILL!

i. Only fill if oil levels are nearing the ½ way

mark in 1 quart increments

3. USE the generator!
a. Don’t let the house voltage go below 12v
b. Think about running the generator at least each night and morning at a minimum

4. Head use
a. Put in SLEEP mode when away from the vessel or at night
b. Make sure there’s water in the bowl to prevent vacuum loss and to keep the pump from running

continuously

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Main Engines

Before starting the engines, do your daily inspection.

1. Ensure GEARSHIFTS are in ‘NEUTRAL’ as the engines

cannot be started because of the “neutral lockout”.

2. Starboard engine goes first

3. Turn the key clockwise partially until the ENGINE

ALARM sounds and pre-heat the engine for 15-25
seconds for a cold engine; only 5 seconds for warm
engine.

4. Then turn the key fully clockwise to engage the starter.

5. Once started, and while in NEUTRAL, PULL THE

THROTTLE LEVER BY THE BASE STRAIGHT TO
THE SIDE and increase RPM’s to warm up the engine @
950 – 1000 rpms.

6. Check oil pressure and charging voltage for proper operation @ 950 - 1000 rpm

7. Check the engine exhaust for both WHITE STEAM/SMOKE and exhaust WATER.
a. Shut down engine immediately if there is an issue

8. If all is well, repeat procedure for PORT engine

9. Turn DC panel switches for the Blowers to ON.
a. (3 switches total - main blower switch in upper left and 2 switches on the right hand bank)

10. Warm the engine for about 5 minutes before engaging transmission.

11. Observe the readings of the gauges.
a. The oil pressure will register about 30-40 PSI.
b. The engine temperature should rise slowly.

Troubleshooting TIPs:

If the starter does not engage when the key is turned, move the gearshift lever slightly until you find neutral and try
again.

If oil pressure is LOW, shut down engine, and inspect engine compartment and look for possible causes (for
example, loss of oil.) If the oil pressure needle is bouncing all over the place, a metal fragment may be stuck in the
oil pressure sending unit. This is usually a temporary problem. If the oil pressure is truly low, you should hear an
alarm similar to when pre-heating at startup.

If an engine is overheating or there is lack of raw water expelled in the engine exhaust, stop the engine immediately.
Recheck the raw water-cooling system to ensure the seacock is ‘open’ (handle in-line with valve). If open, close and
check the raw water strainer for debris. Remove the strainer, clean, re-assemble, and reopen the raw water intake
valve (seacock). Restart the engine and re-check water flow from the exhaust. If water is not flowing properly, the
RAW WATER PUMP may need to be serviced. Seek help by calling AYC first.

If the engine cranks too slowly or fails to turn over, check the condition of the battery on the ELECTRICAL
PANEL. If the battery is low, run the generator for a while, or try the BATTERY PARALLEL SWITCH (located
beneath the first stair in the salon and in the panel in the aft stateroom) to connect the other engine battery. TURN
OFF AFTER USING!

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Getting Underway

1. DISCONNECT the shore power cord at the dock electrical box first, then at the boat. Store cord on the

boat for use at other marinas.

2. Close things up to prevent water and exhaust vapors from coming in
a. ALL the PORTHOLES (especially AFT)
b. the salon WINDOWS
c. FORWARD Deck HATCH.

3. Double check all electrical panel switches for proper settings

4. Turn on your VHF and electronics.

5. ASSIGN crew members their various positions.

6. Once outside the marina, idle the engines while crew brings in fenders and lines.

7. Enjoy your time on the water

Using the Canvas

The canvas and glass inserts are made to be used to make you comfortable, and all of it fits together. Be firm but
try not to stress the zipper ends too much. Try another approach if you’re having difficulty.

1. If it feels like the Zipper doesn’t quite reach…
a. Disconnect/loosen another part of the panel (below, beside, above)
b. Wait until it warms up in the sun – the glass and canvas stretches better
c. Unzip the next connected panel

2. Salt leaves a residue on the glass
a. Use only the approved cleaners and soft clothes in the flybridge locker
b. The best approach is a fresh water bath and use the squeegee in the flybridge locker
c. In the morning, the early riser could use the squeegee on all the glass because it is often wet with

dew

d. Even salt water and the squeegee will work, but it’s NOT ideal for the view or the glass

3. Use the many BLACK ties w/snaps to hold the glass panels in place
a. DO NOT remove the panels entirely from the boat – roll them up and tie in place
b. especially the main windshield panel which can whip up in the wind
c. the main aft doorway rolls up neatly and should be secured with two straps

TIP: The center windshield screen will be used frequently. Rather than remove it to
provide ventilation, simply roll it forward and put a loop around it to hold it in place. To
close it up, it can be a tight fit when the canvas is cold. Easiest remedy is UNZIP the top
of the starboard windshield panel and manually pull the bimini frame down to zip the
center panel more easily.

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Cruising

Max RPM’s is 2300

Approximate GPH @ RPM’s

GEARSHIFTS/Throttles

– Ensure the throttles are in the ‘idle’ position before engaging the gearshifts to avoid transmission damage.
– Move gearshift slowly to point of transmission engagement, either FWD or BACK, then engage more

throttle

– Be smooth and purposeful with the shifters and throttle
– Maintain RPM balance between engines

Cruising speed is usually about 1500-1750 RPM and the engine maximum is no more than 2300 RPM’s for short
periods – as in avoiding a ferry bearing down on you.

Your speed will vary depending upon the weight and load and weather conditions. TRIM TABS are adjustable at
the helm if desired. They adjust the BOW, as in BOW UP or BOW DOWN port and starboard. She will ride high
on the starboard side until trimmed out. Perfect trim is when she is riding flat and you maybe pick up a little speed.

Always avoid higher engine speeds as it causes higher engine temperature, possible damage, and higher fuel
consumption. If you run at 2000 RPM’s you will cruise at 10-11 knots and use about 12 gallons of diesel per hour
($35-$40/hour total for both engines) – while maybe only half that fuel consumption at 1500 RPM traveling at 8-9
knots. See below for approximate diesel usage.

Turbo Engines – 5 minute Cool-down required

Before turning off the ignition, allow the engines to ‘idle’ at about 700 RPM for
about 5 minutes to cool them gradually and uniformly. This is very important
since the engines are Turbo charged and the residual oil in the turbocharger needs
time to cool down or it could damage delicate moving parts. The time preparing to
dock the boat is usually sufficient.

Ensure each GEARSHIFT is in the ‘neutral’ position and each THROTTLE is in the
‘idle’ position. Turn off engines; remove the keys and place in the electrical panel cabinet in the main salon.

Turn Blower switches off after 5-10 minutes to conserve battery.

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Docking

During docking, have your crew make ready the lines and fenders and give clear instructions on how you will be
docking. Often times your crew will need to step off from the swim step with the stern line. Another crew member
will need to be at the bow or mid-ship to hand over the next lines. Prima Vista has high walkways. A good trick is
to secure a line from one side cleat to another with a lot of slack drooping down the side toward the water. This
allows a person on the dock to easily grab the side line and pull you in.

NEVER PUT A PIECE OF YOUR BODY BETWEEN THE DOCK AND THE BOAT (HAND, FOOT, ARM,
ETC.) YOU WILL LOSE OR BREAK SOMETHING, AND IT WON’T BE THE 40,000 POUND BOAT.

While moving slowly to the dock or mooring location, center the WHEEL (e.g. rudders straight) and use only the
GEARSHIFTS and THROTTLES to maneuver the boat.

 REMEMBER TO DO EVERTHING IN SLOW MOTION.
 ONLY USE GEARSHIFTS and THROTTLES TO MANEUVER (NOT THE WHEEL)

Source: Google

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Fueling Up with DIESEL

There are two filler locations located just outside the sundeck doors on
each side of the vessel. OPEN FILLER CAP(S) with a DECK
FITTING KEY kept in the salon electrical panel cabinet. Open and fill
ONE SIDE at a time. Be careful to NOT lose the covers overboard!

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT FUEL! DIESEL! DIESEL!

DIESEL! MAKE SURE IT IS GOING INTO THE CORRECT DECK

FILL! Double-check since the waste and diesel fittings are near each
other on the starboard side. DO NOT POUR DIESEL INTO THE WASTE LINE AND DO NOT ALLOW
ANYONE TO PUMP-OUT THE DIESEL FUEL TANK!

Before pumping, have oil/fuel sorbs handy to soak up spilled fuel. You should calculate a rough idea of the
number of gallons you will need – each ¼ tank is about 35 gallons. If needed, periodically have a helper turn the
ignition key (only to the alarm position) to watch the fuel gauge.

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. Top off carefully, and be prepared to catch spilled fuel.
Spillage may result in a nasty fine from law enforcement.

Replace each tank cap immediately. Wash hands with soap and water thoroughly.

You can fill up with DIESEL fuel (and pump out) at many places in the San Juan’s. Cap Sante Marina, just ½ mile
north of Anacortes Marina is great. Cap Sante has lots of space, free pump out and good fuel prices.

The Pumpout station and the Fuel station have large access and reliable services.

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