Scout Boats 262 Abaco, Owner'S Manual, Page: 87 / 120

Chapter 14:
SEASONAL MAINTENANCE
14.1 Storage and Lay-up
Before Hauling:
• Pump out the head holding tank. Flush the holding tank
using clean soap, water and a deodorizer. Pump out the
cleaning solution.
• The fuel tank should be left nearly full to reduce
condensation that can accumulate in the tank. Allow
enough room in the tank for the fuel to expand without
leaking out the vents. Moisture from condensation in the
fuel tank can reach such concentrations that it becomes
heavy enough to settle out of the gasoline to the bottom
of the tank. Since fuel pickup tubes are located near the
bottom of the tank, this accumulated moisture can cause the
engines to run poorly or not at all after extended storage.
Chemical changes also occur as the gasoline ages that can
cause deposits and varnish in the fuel system as well as
reduce the octane rating of the fuel. Severely degraded
fuel can damage the engine and boat fuel tank and lines.
Therefore, if your boat is not being run enough to require
at least one full tank of fresh fuel a month or during winter
storage, a fuel stabilizer should be added to the gasoline
to help protect the fuel system from these problems.
Operate the boat for at least 15 minutes after adding the
stabilizer to allow the treated fuel to reach the engine.
Yamaha recommends using Yamaha Fuel Conditioner and
Stabilizer for their engines.
Your dealer or the engine manufacturer can provide
additional information on fuel degradation and fuel
stabilizers recommended for your engine. For more
recommendations for your specific area, check with your
local Scout dealer.
• Drain water from the freshwater system.
• Consult the engine owner’s manual for detailed information
on preparing the engines for storage.
Lifting
It is essential that care be used when lifting your boat. Make
sure the spreader bar at each sling is at least as long as the
distance across the widest point of the boat that the sling will
surround. Put the slings in position. Refer to the sling loca-
tions drawing for the correct position of the lifting slings. The
fore and aft slings should be tied together to prevent the slings
from sliding on the hull.
B OAT S C A N B E DA MAG E D F R O M I M P R O P E R
LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING WITH FORK LIFTS.
CARE AND CAUTION MUST BE EXERCISED WHEN
T R A N S P O R T I N G A B OAT W I T H A F O R K L I F T.
NEVER HOIST THE BOAT WITH A SUBSTANTIAL
AMOUNT OF WATER IN THE BILGE.
S E V E R E G E L C O AT C R A C K I N G O R M O R E
SERIOUS HULL DAMAGE CAN OCCUR DURING
H AU L I N G A N D L AU N C H I N G I F P R E S S U R E I S
CREATED ON THE GUNWALES (SHEER) BY THE
S L I N G S . F L AT, W I D E B E LT I N G S L I N G S A N D
SPREADERS LONG ENOUGH TO KEEP PRESSURE
FROM THE GUNWALES ARE ESSENTIAL. DO NOT
ALLOW ANYONE TO HAUL YOUR BOAT WHEN
THE SPREADERS ON THE LIFT ARE NOT WIDE
E N O U G H TO TA K E T H E P R E S S U R E O F F T H E
GUNWALES.
Supporting The Boat For Storage
A trailer, elevating lift, or a well-made cradle is the best support
for your boat during storage.
When storing the boat on a trailer for a long period:
• Make sure the trailer is on a level surface and the bow is
high enough so that water will drain from the bilge and
cockpit.
• Make sure the engines are in the down position.
• The trailer must properly support the hull. The bunks and
rollers should match the bottom of the hull and should not
be putting pressure on the lifting strakes.
• Make sure the hitch is properly supported.
• Check the tires once each season. Add enough air for the
correct amount of inflation for the tires.
Note: Read the owner’s manual for the trailer for the
correct amount of inflation for the tires.