Scout Boats 300 LXF, Owner'S Manual

Page: 132 / 173

132
Seasonal Maintenance
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 wid-
est point of the boat that the sling will surround.
Refer to the sling locations 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.
CAUTION
BOATS CAN BE DAMAGED FROM IMPROPER LIFTING AND
TRANSPORTING WITH FORK LIFTS. CARE AND CAUTION MUST
BE EXERCISED WHEN TRANSPORTING A BOAT WITH A FORK
LIFT. NEVER HOIST THE BOAT WITH A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT
OF WATER IN THE BILGE.
SEVERE GEL COAT CRACKING OR MORE SERIOUS HULL
DAMAGE CAN OCCUR DURING HAULING AND LAUNCHING IF
PRESSURE IS CREATED ON THE GUNWALES (SHEER) BY THE
SLINGS. FLAT, WIDE BELTING SLINGS AND 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 ENOUGH
TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF THE GUNWALES.
Supporting The Boat For Storage
A trailer, elevating lift, well-made cradle or proper
blocking 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 large enough to
properly support your boat and that it is rated
to support the weight.
• 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 as necessary.
Notice:
Read the owner’s manual for the trailer for
the correct amount of inflation for the tires.
When storing the boat on a lift or cradle:
• The cradle must be specifically for boat
storage.
• Make sure the cradle or lift is well supported
with the bow high enough to provide proper
drainage of the bilge and cockpit.
• Make sure the engines are in the down
position.
• The cradle or lift must be in the proper fore
and aft position to properly support the hull.
When the cradle or lift is in the correct location,
the bunks should match the bottom of hull and
should not be putting pressure on the lifting
strakes.
CAUTION
BOATS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY TRAILERS, LIFTS, AND
CRADLES THAT DON’T PROPERLY SUPPORT THE HULL.
ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE BUNKS AND ROLLERS ARE
ADJUSTED SO THEY ARE NOT PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE
LIFTING STRAKES AND ARE PROVIDING ENOUGH SUPPORT
FOR THE HULL. HULL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM IMPROPER
CRADLE OR TRAILER SUPPORT IS NOT COVERED BY THE
SCOUT WARRANTY.
When supporting the boat with blocking:
• Make sure the boat is blocked on a level
surface and the bow is high enough so that
water will drain from the bilge and cockpit.
• Make sure the keel is supported with large,
solid wood blocks in at least three points.
• Use at least three heavy duty jacks on each
side of the hull and make sure the boat is
level from side to side. The jacks must be on
a solid surface like packed gravel, concrete
or pavement. All of the supports must be set
up properly to prevent the boat from shifting
while it is in storage.
Preparing The Boat For Storage:
• Remove the bilge drain plug(s), if installed.
(Some boats do not have bilge drain plugs)
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