Meridian 540 Pilothouse Owners Manual

Date of Purchase __________________________________________________ Port Engine Serial Number: _________________________________________ Starboard Engine Serial Number: ____________________________________ Hull Identification Number: __________________________________________ Hull Identification Number • The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is located on the starboard side of the transom. • Record the HIN (and the engine serial numbers) in the space provided above. • Please refer to the HIN for any correspondence or orders. © 2003 Meridian Technical Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Meridian. Printed in the United States of America. General Notes The material in this document is for information only and is subject to change without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy, Meridian assumes no liability resulting from errors or omissions in this document, or from the use of information contained herein. Due to our commitment to product improvement, Meridian reserves the right to make changes in the product design, specifications, and equipment at any time without notice or obligation. Illustrations and/or photos may show optional equipment. All Meridian products meet or exceed USCG (Unites States Coast Guard) and/or NMMA (National Marine Manufacturer’s Association) construction standards. Manufactured with 1,1,1 Trichloroethane, a substance which harms public health and environment during the manufacturing process by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere. Proprietary Rights This document discloses subject matter in which Meridian has proprietary rights. The information and design disclosed herein were originated by and are the property of Meridian. Neither receipt nor possession thereof confers or transfers any right to reproduce, copy, alter or disclose the document or any part thereof, any information contained therein, or to construct boats or any item from it, except by written permission from or written agreement with Meridian. This document is to be returned upon request to Meridian. HIN LOCATION

CONTENTS 1 Chapter 1: Welcome Aboard! 1 Dimensions and Tank Capacities 1 Layout View 2 Dealer Service 2 Warranty Information 2 Boating Experience 2 Engines & Accessories Guidelines 3 Engine & Accessories Literature 3 Safety Standards 3 Qualified Maintenance 4 Special Care For Moored Boats 4 Sacrificial Anodes (Zincs) 4 Structural Limitations 5 Boat Lifting 6 Carbon Monoxide (CO) 6 Facts about CO 7 Where and How CO Can Accumulate 7 How to Protect Yourself and Others From CO 8 Trip Checklist 8 Monthly Checklist 8 Annual Checklist 8 Carbon Monoxide Alarm System 9 More Information 10 Chapter 2: Locations 10 Exterior Views 10 Hull Views 11 Forward & Starboard Side Deck View 12 Aft & Port Side Deck View 13 Helm Stations 14 Component Locations 26 Chapter 3: Propulsion & Related Systems 26 Engine 26 Engine Cooling System 27 Exhaust System 28 Fuel System 29 Fuel Fills & Vents 29 Fuel Filters 29 Fuel Transfer Pump (If Equipped) 30 Engine Room Ventilation System 31 Oil Change System (If Equipped) 31 Fire Suppression System (If Equipped) 32 Shaft-Transmission Alignment 32 Shaft Log Packless Sealing System 33 Chapter 4: Controls 33 Steering 34 Autopilot (If Equipped) 34 Rudder Stuffing Gland 35 Shift/Throttle Controls 35 Engine Synchronization (If Equipped) 35 Trim Tabs 36 Docking On Command (D.O.C.) System (If Equipped) 37 Gauges 37 Cleaning Gauges 37 Gauge Fogging 37 Radio Transmission Interference 37 Twin Engine Readings 37 Fuel Gauge 38 Chapter 5: Navigation & Communication Equipment 38 VHF Radio (If Equipped) 38 Compass 38 Radar (If Equipped) 39 Depth Finder 39 Global Positioning System (GPS) (If Equipped) 40 Chapter 6: Plumbing 40 Bilge Pumps 41 Bilge Pump Testing 41 Autofloat Switches 42 Freshwater System 43 Freshwater System Winterization 44 Water Heating Systems 44 Winterizing the Water Heater 45 Transom Shower (If Equipped) 45 City Water Inlet 46 Marine Head with Holding Tank 47 VacuFlush (If Equipped) 48 Seawater Systems 48 Seacocks 48 Seawater Strainers 49 Drain Systems 49 Deck Drains 49 Sink Drains 49 Shower Drain 49 Sump Box Cleaning 49 Sump System Winterization 50 Seawater Washdown (If Equipped)

51 Chapter 7: Deck Equipment 51 Cleats 51 Windlass (If Equipped) 52 Davit (If Equipped) 53 Chapter 8: Appliances & Entertainment Systems 53 Refrigerator 53 Electric Stove (If Equipped) 53 Audio & Visual Equipment 53 Dockside Television & Telephone Inlet 54 Chapter 9: Heating & Air Conditioning 54 Air Conditioning System (If Equipped) 56 Diesel Heat (If Equipped) 57 Electric Heaters (If Equipped) 58 Chapter 10: Lights 58 Care and Maintenance 58 Interior & Exterior Lights 58 Spotlight (If Equipped) 59 Chapter 11: Electrical System 60 12-Volt DC System 60 Batteries 60 Battery Switches 60 Fuses and Circuit Breakers 61 12-Volt Accessory Outlet(s) 61 Alternators 61 Battery Charger or Inverter/Charger 62 Alternating Current (AC) System 63 Shore Power 64 Connecting To Shore Power 64 Shore Power Cable Hoist (If Equipped) 64 Inverter (If Equipped) 65 Generator (If Equipped) 67 Generator Starting & Stopping 68 Electrical Routings 68 Deck Electrical Harness 69 Command Bridge Electrical Harness 69 Radar Wing Electrical Harness 70 Direct Current Electrical System 71 Alternating Current Electrical System 72 Battery Cable Routing 73 Battery System 74 Bonding Harness 75 Wiring Diagrams 75 Electrical Symbol Key 75 Wire Color Key 76 Smartcraft Electrical System 77 Hull Harness 78 Pilothouse Harness 79 Pilothouse Connector 79 Salon Harness 79 Arch Harness 80 V-Berth Harness 80 Diesel Heater (Option) 81 Command Bridge Harness 81 Generator Harness 82 DC Panel 83 AC Panel 84 Receptacle Circuits 84 Battery & Charging System 85 Important Records 86 Float Plan

Hazard Boxes & Symbols The hazard boxes and symbols shown below are used throughout this manual to call attention to potentially danger- ous situations which could lead to either personal injury or product damage. Read ALL warnings carefully and follow ALL safety instructions. This box alerts you to immediate hazards which WILL cause severe personal injury or death if the warning is ignored. DANGER! ! This box alerts you to hazards or unsafe practices which COULD result in severe personal injury or death if the warning is ignored. WARNING! ! This box alerts you to hazards or unsafe practices which COULD result in minor personal injury or cause product or property damage if the warning is ignored. CAUTION ! This box calls attention to installation, operation or maintenance information, which is important to proper operation but is not hazard related. NOTICE EXPLOSION HAZARD! NO OPEN FLAME! HOT HAZARD! ROTATING PROPELLER HAZARD! FALLING HAZARD! ELECTRICAL HAZARD! CO POISONING HAZARD! FIRE HAZARD! RUN BILGE BLOWERS FOR 4 MINUTES!

1 540 Pilothouse • Owner’s Manual Chapter 1: Welcome Aboard! • This Owner’s Manual provides information about your yacht that is not covered in the Cruiser & Yacht Owner’s Manual Supplement. • Before using your yacht, study this Owner’s Manual , the Cruiser & Yacht Owner’s Manual Supplement, and all engine and accessory literature carefully. • Keep this Owner’s Manual and the Cruiser & Yacht Owner’s Manual Supplement on your yacht in a secure, yet readily available place. Dimensions and Tank Capacities Layout View Overall Length Bridge Clearance Beam Draft (Hull) Draft (Maximum) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Freshwater Capacity (gal.) Waste Holding Tank Capacity (gal.) 56' 19' 3" 16' 2" 3' 3" 4' 10" 700 200 73

Chapter 1: Welcome Aboard! 540 Pilothouse • Owner’s Manual 2 Dealer Service • Ask your dealer to explain all systems before taking delivery of your yacht. • Your dealer is your key to service. • Contact your dealer if you have any questions or problems with your new yacht. • If your dealer cannot help, call our customer service hotline: 360-403-2198 or send us a FAX: 360-403-1158. • Buy replacement parts from any authorized Meridian dealer. Warranty Information • Meridian offers an Express Limited Transferable Warranty on each new Meridian purchased through an authorized Meridian dealer. • A copy of the Express Limited Transferable Warranty was included in your owner’s packet. • If you did not receive a copy of the Express Limited Transferable Warranty, please contact your dealer or call 360-403-2198 for a copy. Boating Experience If this is your first yacht or if you are changing to a type of yacht you are not familiar with, obtain handling and operating experience before assuming command of the yacht. Take one of the boating safety classes offered by the U.S. Power Squadrons or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. For more course information, including dates and locations of upcoming classes, contact the organizations directly: • U.S. Power Squadrons: 1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777) or on the Internet at: http://www.usps.org • In Canada, for the CPS courses call 1-888-CPS-BOAT. • U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: 1-800-368-5647 or on the Internet at: http://www.cgaux.org Outside the United States, your selling dealer, national sailing federation or local boat club can advise you of local sea schools or competent instructors. Engines & Accessories Guidelines • Your yacht’s engines and accessories were selected to provide optimum performance and service. • Installing different engines or other accessories may cause unwanted handling characteristics. • Should you choose to install different engines or to add accessories that will affect the yacht’s running trim, have an experienced marine technician perform a safety inspection and handling test before operating your yacht again. • Certain modifications to your yacht will result in the cancellation of your warranty protection. Always check with your dealer before making any modifications to your yacht. CONTROL HAZARD! A qualified operator must be in control of the yacht at all times. DO NOT operate your yacht while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. WARNING! ! NOTICE When storing your yacht please refer to your engine’s operation and maintenance manuals.

540 Pilothouse • Owner’s Manual Chapter 1: Welcome Aboard! 3 Engine & Accessories Literature • The engines and accessories installed on your boat come with their own operation and maintenance manuals. • Read and understand these manuals before using the engines and accessories. • Unless noted otherwise, all engine and accessory literature referred to in this Owner’s Manual is included in your owner’s packet. Safety Standards Your yacht’s mechanical and electrical systems were designed to meet safety standards in effect at the time it was built. Some of these standards were mandated by law, all of them were designed to insure your safety, and the safety of other people, vessels and property. In addition to this Owner’s Manual, please read the Cruiser & Yacht Owner’s Manual Supplement and all accessory literature for important safety standards and hazard information. Qualified Maintenance Failure to maintain your yacht’s systems (listed in the warning above) as designed could violate the laws in your jurisdiction and could expose you and other people to the danger of bodily injury or accidental death. Follow the instructions provided in this Owner’s Manual, the Cruiser & Yacht Owner’s Manual Supplement, the engine owner’s manual and all accessory instruction sheets and manuals. ROTATING PROPELLER and CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING HAZARD! • NEVER allow anyone to occupy, or hang from, the back deck or swim platform while the engine(s) are running. • Teak surfing, dragging, or water skiing within 20 feet of a moving watercraft can be fatal. DANGER! ! PERSONAL SAFETY HAZARD! ALWAYS secure the anchor and other loose objects before getting underway. The anchor and other items that are not properly secured can come loose when the yacht is moving and cause personal injury or death. DANGER! ! To maintain the integrity and safety of your yacht, allow only qualified personnel to perform maintenance on, or in any way modify: The steering system, propulsion system, engine control system, fuel system, environmental control system, electrical system or navigational system. WARNING! !

Chapter 1: Welcome Aboard! 540 Pilothouse • Owner’s Manual 4 Special Care For Moored Boats • Whether moored in saltwater or freshwater, your yacht will collect marine growth on its hull bottom. • This will detract from the yacht’s beauty, greatly affect its performance and may damage the gelcoat. • There are two methods of slowing marine growth: 1. Periodically haul the yacht out of the water and scrub the hull bottom with a bristle brush and a solution of soap and water. 2. Occasionally re-paint the hull below the waterline with a good grade of anti-fouling paint. Sacrificial Anodes (Zincs) Your yacht features sacrificial anodes (zincs) to protect underwater metal parts from excessive deterioration. Check the zincs regularly and replace them if they have deteriorated more than 70%. There are many factors that affect the rate at which the zincs deteriorate, including: • Water temperature • Salinity • Water pollution Stray electrical current from the yacht or dock may cause complete deterioration in just a few weeks. If there is rapid zinc deterioration, measure the electrolytic corrosion around your yacht with a corrosion test meter. If the zincs are not bonded correctly, they will not provide protection. Structural Limitations The command bridge is designed to be lightweight for proper yacht balance. The load limit for this platform is 30 pounds per square foot, evenly distributed. NOTICE • To help seal the hull bottom and reduce the possibility of gelcoat blistering on moored yachts, apply an epoxy barrier coating. The barrier coating should be covered with several coats of anti-fouling paint. • Many states regulate the chemical content of bottom paints in order to meet environmental standards. Check with your local dealer about recommended bottom paints, and about the laws in effect in your area. Do not paint between the zinc and the metal surface it contacts and do not paint over the zincs. NOTICE NEW SACRIFICIAL ANODE DETERIORATED SACRIFICIAL ANODE

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Meridian 540 Pilothouse Owners Manual

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