Scout Boats 350 LXF, Owner'S Manual

Page: 117 / 166

117
Routine Maintenance
overlooked when the boat is washed and will not
be rinsed by the rain. Consequently, the powder
coating near fasteners and hardware mounted
just below the top is more likely to be attacked by
the salt and become corroded than the exposed
areas on the structure. Make sure the aluminum
in this area is washed frequently with soap and
water and rinsed thoroughly. Pay particular atten-
tion to places where the top material and lacing
contact the frame.
Once a month check the entire frame for damaged
powder coating and corrosion around fasteners
and hardware. Nicked or badly scratched powder
coating can be sanded and touched up with enamel
paint. Corrosion around fasteners will have to be
sanded, then touched up with paint. The fasteners
will require fiber washers and sealing with caulk
or Tef Gel to isolate the fastener from the alumi-
num and prevent damage to the paint or powder
coating when the fastener is installed. Periodically
applying automotive or boat wax to the powder
coating with will provide additional protection from
the harsh effects of saltwater.
Always repair scratches, nicks and corroded areas
in powder coating as soon as possible. Corrosion
left unaddressed will lift the powder coating allow-
ing moisture to travel between the power coating
and the aluminum causing the corrosion to spread
below the coating and damage the aluminum.
If excessive chipping and peeling occurs, it could
be an indication of an electrical fault in the boat
or aluminum fabrication. You should contact
a qualified marine electrician to inspect your
boat immediately and correct the problem if you
suspect that your boat may have a fault in the
aluminum frame. You should also contact Scout
Customer Service.
NOTICE:
Boats that are towed behind larger vessels
require special attention to the aluminum
hardware. The salt spray, salty steam, and
chemicals in exhaust gases are particularly
corrosive and will damage the surface of
anodized or powder coated aluminum. It is
imperative that the boat and the aluminum
are cleaned thoroughly at the completion of
each trip or at the end of each day on long
cruises to reduce accelerated deterioration
of the anodizing or powder coating and pre-
mature corrosion to the aluminum.
NOTICE:
You should contact Scout Customer Service
before making any modifications to alumi -
num fabrications. Unauthorized modifica -
tions can void the warranty.
Chrome Hardware
Use a good chrome cleaner and polish on all
chrome hardware.
Acrylic Plastic Glass
Acrylic glass scratches easily. Never use a dry
cloth or glass cleaning solutions on acrylic. Use
a soft cloth and mild soap and water for routine
cleaning. Solvents and products containing am-
monia can permanently damage acrylic plastic
glass.
Fine scratches can be removed with a fine auto -
motive clear coat polishing compound. A coat of
automotive or boat wax is beneficial to protect
the surface. Do not use the following on acrylic
glass:
Abrasive cleaners Acetone
Solvents Alcohol
Cleaners containing ammonia Glass cleaners
Engines and Fuel
Proper engine maintenance is essential to the
proper performance and reliability of your out-
board engines. Maintenance schedules and proce -
dures are outlined in your engine owner’s manual.
They should be followed exactly.
If the boat is used in saltwater, flush the cooling
system after each daily use. To flush the systems
when the boat is out of the water, follow the pro-
cedure outlined in your engine owner’s manual.
The age of gasoline can affect engine performance.
Chemical changes 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 engines
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, a fuel stabilizer
should be added to the gasoline to protect the
fuel from degradation. Your dealer or the engine
manufacturer can provide additional information
on fuel degradation and fuel stabilizers recom -
mended for your engines.