MasterCraft 2009 MariStar X-Series owner manual Cleaning the boat, Hull, Upholstery

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cleaning the boat

Periodic cleaning is the best way to keep your boat looking like new. Regular washing and waxing keep dirt and build-up from deteriorating the finish. Keeping your boat in a showroom-new condition results in personal satisfaction and higher resale value.

The boat is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic resin material that is easy to clean and care for. Several layers of resin material are chemically bonded together to form the hull. The smooth outside surface of the hull is a layer of gel coat resin. While the gel coat is solid color, the thickness of the layer is only a few millimeters thick—like paint on a car but much tougher, and chemically bonded.

Beneath the gel coat surface is a series of layers of chemical resin, fiberglass mat and woven roving. It is these layers that give the boat its strength and maintain the hull shape. The boat bottom also uses special core-mat material for its strength-to- weight and superior marine performance.

Even though MasterCraft has carefully crafted boats from resilient materials, it is still the responsibility of the boat owner to perform regular and routine cleaning maintenance to ensure that the boat exterior, interior and components retain both ap- pearance and strength of materials.

Hull

When washing the boat, use a mild detergent, such as Dawn or Ivory dish soap, or similar commercially-produced deter- gent, and warm water solution. DO NOT use abrasive cleaners, solvents, ammonia or chlorine, as these will damage the gel coat surface. Under extreme conditions, special cleaners may be used to remove marine growth from the hull. (See an authorized Mas- terCraft service department for further instructions.)

Upholstery

While the vinyl is made to withstand the elements, it is important to care for vinyl by keeping it clean at all times. Many substances may stain the vinyl if left untreated over a period of time. Remem- ber to remove any contaminant and clean vinyl immediately.

Regular washing with mild detergent (see attached information) and warm water or vinyl cleaners is sufficient to keep the cushion and vinyl coverings in good condition. Do not soak the cushion, and dry thoroughly after washing to prevent mildew accumulations when the boat is covered. Spray the cushions with a mil- dew repellent and prop them up in the boat when it is covered to take advantage of air circulation.

MasterCraft vinyl is made to withstand the effects of sun, heat, acid rain and soiling, under normal conditions, but this does not preclude the cleaning requirements. Please consult the following cleaning recommendations before cleaning your upholstery.

Certain household cleaners, powdered abrasives, steel wool, and industrial cleaners may cause damage and discoloration, and are not recommended for use. Dry cleaning fluids and lacquer solvents should not be used as they will remove the printed pattern and gloss. Waxes are not recommended, as many contain dyes and solvents that can permanently damage the vinyl’s protective coating.

In some instances, consumers have reported the appearance of a pink stain on vinyl that is resistant to various cleaning methods. Although there can be other causes for pink staining in vinyls, most pink stains are caused by dyes produced by micro-organ- isms. These dyes are metabolic products of the micro-organisms, otherwise known as a form of fungi.

It is virtually impossible for consumers to avoid these micro- organisms as they exist in the atmosphere, which are more prevalent in high-humidity areas. Rain cleanses the air, with the result being that the micro-organisms are deposited on items such as marine vinyl.

While the vinyl is treated to resist the growth of micro-organ- isms (meaning the vinyl is not a food source), the stain results from failure to properly clean and maintain the vinyl. This means that after use, the upholstery must be cleaned with a soft brush and warm soapy water, followed by a thorough rinse with clean water.

This situation is worsened if the boat is stored without proper ventilation or if the boat cover is put on while the vinyl is still wet, creating a situation in which all forms of fungi (mold and mildew) thrive.

MasterCraft 2009 Owner’s Manual - Page 13-1

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Contents 2009 MasterCraft Welcome aboard Page 2-1 Page 16-2, 16-5, Page Table of contents Boating safety General PrecautionsSafety Equipment Safety AfloatRequired Equipment Recommended EquipmentSkiing and Wakeboarding Safety Operator’s License Common sense approach Rules of the open water Overtaking Other Special SituationsSailing Vessel Right-of-Way Fishing Vessel Right-of-WayGuide to individual models Exhaust Bow Light Transom Drain Plug MariStar Fuel Tank Engine Batteries Filler Star CSX Instrument panels Measurements Accessory Switches Aft Light SwitchAll Models-Actual Switch Usage Will Vary Volt ReceptacleAttitude Adjustment or Trim Tab Switch MariStar 230, X-30, MariStar 245 MariStar 280Ballast Empty/Fill Switches Manual and Automatic Bilge Pump Switch ManualBlower Switch Circuit BreakersClock Adjustment Switch Courtesy Lights SwitchDisplay Selector Switch Dual Battery Operation SwitchEngine Hatch Switch Engine Synchronizing SwitchEngine Oil Pressure Gauge MariStar 280/X-80, CSX-220, CSX-265Heater Switch Instrument Panel Gauge Backlighting SwitchLow Voltage Battery Alarm Fuel GaugeNavigation/Anchor Lights Switch Other AlarmsRefrigerator Switch Seat Heat SwitchesShower and/or Slick Boot Switch Sink SwitchTemperature Gauge Shift/Throttle ControlTower Lights Switch Video Display GaugePage Wash Down Switch VoltmeterUsing care when fueling What Type of Gasoline To UseWhen the Boat Is Not Used for a While Using Oxygenated Fuels or Fuels with AlcoholWhen Fuel Runs Out or Too Low for Proper Operation Fuels Outside United States and CanadaPage Safety checks and services Before Each OperationDuring Operation After OperationNew boat break-in First Hours of OperationAfter Break-In Page Before Starting Starting the EngineShifting Gears Underway StoppingOperational hints Page Unusual Operating Conditions Docking and Tie-UpUsing Lifting Eyes Using Lifting SlingsLifting the boat Storage CradleCorrosion prevention Marine GrowthGalvanic Corrosion Stainless Steel and ChromeCleaning the boat HullUpholstery Carpet Teak WoodFiberglass Swim Platform WindshieldSlick Boot Acceptable Upholstery CleanersUnacceptable Upholstery Cleaners Enclosed HeadApco Mastercraft boat care products MasterCraft Cleaning & Detailing Kit MasterCraft Microfiber Detailing ClothsMasterCraft Marine Motor Oil & Filters Frequency and Scheduled Maintenance New Boat Break-InBefore Each Use After Each UseQuarterly Every Fifty 50 Hours Annually Every One Hundred 100 HoursCheck Raw Water Intake Strainer where equipped Inspect the Battery Connections and Hold-DownsBy the warranty Inspect the Propeller Shaft Log for Water EntryInspect the Fuel System for Leaks Inspect the Exhaust System for LeaksCheck That the Battery Is Fully Charged General Cleaning and StorageLubricate the Engine Starter Gear and Shaft Check the Engine MountsCheck the Propeller Shaft Coupling Alignment Inspect the Exhaust Flaps for DamageLubricate the Steering System Lubricate the Shift and Throttle System Check the Ballast Pump ImpellerInspect the Complete Fuel System for Leakage Fire Extinguisher and Suppression Units General Power Package Preparation General PreparationFuel System Treatment Other Winterization Preparations Ballast System Preparations Re-Activating the Boat After StorageChecking/Repairing Propellers Changing PropellersBattery Charger Comfort and convenienceAnchor and Windlass Coolers Fire Suppression and ExtinguishingGPS and Chartplotter HeadHeater Before operationHydraulic Steering System LightingLivewell/Kill Box/Catch Box RefrigerationSeat Heaters Shower or Wash DownSwim/Boarding Platforms Stereo EquipmentTables Folding Down the PlatformTowers Video ScreenWater Heater Guide to troubleshooting Limited warranty statement Page Page Page Warranty registration and transfer Warranty Registration TransferService log Every 100 Hours DateIndex 12-1Gauge, Voltmeter Gauges & Switches, Variations Platforms, Swim/Boarding 19-7 Storage & Winterization 17-1 19-9 Transfer, Warranty Registration 22-1 ProStar MariStar Series Saltwater Series
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