Scout Boats 350 LXF, Owner'S Manual

Page: 26 / 166

26
Helm Control Systems
WARNING
2.9 Control Systems Maintenance
Control Maintenance
Periodic inspection of the control systems and all
connections should be made. Signs of rust, cor-
rosion, wear, or other deterioration should imme-
diately be serviced. Generally, periodic lubrication
of all moving parts and connections with a light
waterproof grease is in order.
Lubrication should be performed as often as nec -
essary to keep the system operating smoothly.
Control system adjustments may become neces-
sary. If adjustments become necessary, see your
Scout dealer.
DO NOT ATTEMPT CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS UNLESS YOU ARE
FAMILIAR WITH SERVICING CONTROL SYSTEM PROCEDURES.
CONTROL MISADJUSTMENT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL
AND SEVERE ENGINE OR LOWER UNIT DAMAGE.
Steering System Maintenance
A periodic inspection of all steering hoses, link-
age and helm assemblies should be made. Signs
of corrosion, cracking, loosening of fastenings,
excessive wear, or deterioration should be im -
mediately corrected. Failure to do so could lead
to steering system failure that would result in loss
of control.
When new, or after repairs, hydraulic steering
systems may need to have all air purged from
the system. Check the steering fluid level in the
helm, it should be maintained at no less than 1/2”
below the bottom of the filler cap threads.
When new, or after repairs, hydraulic steering
systems may need to have all air purged from
the system. If your boat is equipped with a tower
and two helms, the bottom helm fill plug is sealed
and the steering fluid is checked and filled at the
top helm.
Remove, clean and grease the engine support tube
and rod annually with quality marine grease. Refer
to the hydraulic steering manufacturer owner’s
manual for proper specifications and details on
system service and maintenance.
Trim Tab Maintenance
The trim tab actuators are electric and require no
routine maintenance except to periodically inspect
the tab actuators for corrosion or marine growth
and test the system to ensure that it is operating
properly.
Marine growth can interfere with the proper op -
eration of the trim tab planes and actuators. To
reduce problems due to marine growth, always
return the trim tabs to the full “UP” position af -
ter operating the boat and periodically inspect
and clean marine growth from the actuators and
planes.
If the boat is kept in the water, the trim tabs
must be equipped with a zinc anode to prevent
galvanic corrosion. Galvanic corrosion is the cor-
rosion process occurring when different metals
are submerged in an electrolyte. Seawater is an
electrolyte and submerged metal components
must be properly protected. The anodes will need
to be changed when they are 75% of their original
size. Refer to the Routine Maintenance chapter of
this manual for information on maintaining zinc
anodes.
To discourage any marine growth on the tabs or
actuators, antifouling paint can be applied. When
applying paint to the actuator, make sure it is fully
retracted. Do not paint the stainless ram above
the area that is exposed when retracted. The
bottom paint will damage the O-ring seals when
the ram is retracted and allow seawater to enter
the actuator motor. Contact your dealer or the
trim tab manufacturer for information regarding
the correct bottom paint for the trim tabs.
Refer to the trim tab owner’s manual for additional
maintenance information, specifications, trouble -
shooting and operating instructions.