Outboard Motor Oil

In the last couple of blogs, we’ve covered some basic fuel and oil questions in regard to boating.  One frequently asked question that was not previously addressed was, “I have some outboard motor oil that has been sitting on the shelf for a few years.  Is it any good?  Can I still use it?”

The answer is:  shake it up a bit and it should be fine.  It may need to be room temperature to perform at its best, so avoid extreme heat or cold.

What is oxygenated fuel?   Oxygenated fuel contains oxygen as part of its chemical makeup.  The purpose of fuel oxygenation is often to reduce carbon monoxide levels created while the fuel burns.  Usually oxygenates come in the form of gasoline additives, such as alcohol.

Some boaters are concerned with the possibility than an oxygenated fuel can harm their motor and interfere with the performance of their outboard motor oil.  Outboard motors can generally tolerate up to 10% alcohol content in fuels, which is the maximum amount allowed by the United States.

If it is a new motor, and it is attached to a new Evinrude boat (or a new-to-you boat), congratulations! You may have a question or two about the best care and feeding for this fine machine.  For instance, if you are dealing with a two-stroke Evinrude motor, you may be wondering what kind of oil to use. Their suggestions are XD30, XD50 and XD100 oil for two-stroke motors that are 1993 and newer.   When it comes to the grade of Evinrude outboard oil to use, 87 octane is the current minimum, but 89 octane is actually preferred.  Use of higher-octane fuels have not proven to provide any additional benefit, and may actually exacerbate hard starting conditions in hot weather.

If you are wondering about the proper ratio of fuel to oil for optimal performance in your Evinrude motor, a breakdown given on the company website is as follows: 1958 and prior used 20 parts fuel to 1 part oil; 1959-1963 used 24 parts fuel to 1 part oil; 1964 and newer use 50 parts fuel to 1 part oil.  High performance racing usage requires a ratio of 25 parts fuel to 1 part oil.  Finally, when it comes to gearcase oil type and capacity, refer to your owner’s manual for specifications. 

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), the private company that owns the Evinrude brand, kicked off a year-long celebration of Evinrude’s 100th anniversary on February 14, 2008 at the Miami Boat Show.  Always on the cutting edge of boating innovation, Evinrude moves into the future with its line of E-Tec outboard motors, the most environmentally friendly outboard motor in the world.  Evinrude also has a popular line of boat motor oil.

“By letting people throw away the oars, Evinrude outboard engines have introduced scores of people to the joys of boating and turned these people into lifelong boating enthusiasts,” Roch Lambert, vice president and general manager of the outboard motor division at BRP, said at the time.  “Indeed, in its proud history, Evinrude has sold more engines worldwide than any other outboard manufacturer. People know that buying an Evinrude means buying a trusted brand name that delivers everything they want in an outboard engine,” Mr. Lambert continued.
 

One of the possible benefits of joining a fishing club is that members can get together and buy boat motor oil in bulk.  Many people join a club initially to try tournament fishing without putting out a lot of money—some clubs even have openings for no-boat fishermen, so you don’t have to get a boat right away.

Different clubs have different formats.  Some encourage fishing in teams, while others have individuals fishing alone in tournaments.   Many clubs have a theme, such as bass or smallmouth fishing. It is common for fishing clubs to be active in conservation efforts.  Some of them promote youth fishing by holding an event for children occasionally.  Military bases and colleges often have nearby fishing clubs; there are also women’s fishing clubs, co-ed fishing clubs, and one national association for hearing-impaired bass fishermen with chapters in several states.  Many fishing club websites include educational articles and archived newsletters for your information.

Two cycle oil for high-performance racing motors needs to contain a heavier synthetic base than most to protect the pistons and bearing that are under more strain from the rigors of racing.  High performance two cycle motors can include stock or modified motors, including snowmobiles, personal watercraft, Moto X motorcycles, ATVs, go-carts and certain outboard motors. 

Performance motor oils need to reduce friction and burn clean, because high performance two cycle motors run hotter than recreational outboard motors.   The properties of appropriate performance motor oil will also provide some protection against wearing of essential engine components.

The nonprofit organization Tread Lightly! offers guidance for outdoor ethics, encompassing all types of outdoor recreation. It goes without saying that they have some valuable insights about responsible motorized boating.  Before beginning your excursion, make certain your trailer is in working order, all signal lights are operable, and that the boat is secure.  When trailering your boat, carefully balance the entire load, including the boat itself and any items that may be stowed inside, including outboard motor oil.

Travel and launch your boat only in designated waterways open to your specific type of boat.  Carry a Coast-Guard approved life vest for each person on board. 
Operate your boat at a safe speed, complying with all signs and barriers, including speed limits, no-wake zones, underwater obstructions, and the like.  Never go boating alone if you can avoid it–assign a designated lookout scoping the water for other boaters, objects, and swimmers.  Cross any wakes at slow speeds, staying aware of skiers and towables—never jump a wake.

When choosing between a two-stroke or four-stroke outboard motor for your boat, the features of each must be considered.  Two-stroke outboard motors are lighter in weight, less expensive, and often faster.   They are generally easier to repair and maintain, having a comparatively simple design that has been available for almost 80 years. Two-stroke outboard motors tend to hold their resale value, remaining in high demand in the used market. On the con side, a two-stroke outboard motor produces more pollution, smoke, are non-two cycle oil injection models, have a rougher idle than their four-stroke counterparts, and are sometimes harder to start.

Four-stroke outboard motors are cleaner, quieter, smoother, provide more fuel economy, and are often more reliable.   They are preferred by some boaters who run in lakes and rivers because they are generally accepted at any body of water. They do not run on an oil and gas mixture or generate as much pollution.  The negatives of four-stroke outboard motors include their high expense for purchase and repair and heavy bulk, which makes it complicated to transport or position in storage without the help of a stand.  Because the design for a four-stroke outboard motor is more complicated than its two-stroke counterpart, there are more parts to malfunction.   However, outboard motor production will be either four-stroke or very similar. The technology for the four-stroke outboard motor is always improving, and as time goes on, there is a higher percentage of qualified mechanics to perform any necessary repairs.  The current used market is very limited for the four-stroke outboard motor, though this is also growing as technology and training improves. 

*Note:  this comparison does not include direct fuel-injected two-stroke models.

With the high prices of gas and boat motor oil, more and more people are staying relatively close to home to use their boats, even in areas with no apparent recreational  boating water near them.   New boats retail from $15,000 to $50,000, which is comparable to other similar leisure pursuits.  Boating enthusiasts are willing to drive a couple of hours to get to the destination, where they can fish, waterski, wakeboard, inner tube, or just work on a tan. 
 A family boating trip allows for more togetherness than the average vacation, where all family members might split up to pursue their own activities, such as golf, shop, or go to a movie.  Some family boating trips can coincide with a trip to see other family members, or incorporate camping into the trip for a new twist.

Just as it is important to maintain your car’s engine for optimum performance, your boat requires a certain amount of care for consistent and smooth operation. Since an outboard motor hangs outside the hull of a boat, it requires special attention to prolong its life.  Caution when transporting your boat to the destination of your planned outing is extremely important.  The motor and boat trailer should be braced securely so that the motion of land travel does not cause permanent damage. 

Each time a boat is returned from a salt water excursion, the outboard motor should be flushed out with fresh water to prevent the pump and lines from corrosion.  Outboard motor oil and gas lines should be drained and disconnected before storing your boat for an extended period of time to keep the carburetor clean.  The area around the propeller and gears of the motor should be checked for cleanliness and excess water accumulation.  The pump inside the motor should also be checked to ensure the impellers do not look worn.  If all of these steps are taken regularly, your outboard motor should provide its best possible performance.