Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 5

Installing a Water Pump, Part I

For the most part, a water pump will last the lifetime of the motor itself; however, if you do hear whirring or grinding noises, it may be time to replace the water pump. Replacing a busted water pump is not too difficult for the average handy-man or woman. You will need a set of wrenches, a socket wrench set, new water pump, a water pump gasket, gasket sealer, and possibly new hose clamps. While you’re gathering supplies, you may also want to pick up some Yamalube 2-M oil.

Begin by locating the petcock valves on either side of the engine block. Open up a valve or two to drain out the water. Locate and loosen the bolts on the belt pulleys and then remove the belt. The hose clamps should also be visible; remove any water that may still be lingering in the hose connecting to the damaged water pump.

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The River of No Return

“River of No Return” – has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? In truth, the river is formally known as the Salmon River and it is located in Idaho. It got its ominous sounding nickname because the river’s current was so strong that boats could travel down river, but not back up.

The River of No Return also happens to be one of the best places for salmon fishing in the northwestern United States. Historically, 45 percent of steelhead, spring and summer Chinook salmon found in the originate in the Salmon River. I’ve fished there a few times myself with great success. While ordering your Yamalube 2 cycle oil online, you may also want to browse for information on fishing the River of No Return.

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Winterizing Yamaha Jet Boat, Part I

Knowing how to winterize watercraft is part of being a responsible boat owner. Today and tomorrow we’re going to focus on how to winterize a Yamaha jet boat. To complete the winterization process, you will need: stabilizer fuel treatment, fogging oil, water hose, flush hose, antifreeze, desiccant plugs, and ArmorAll.

Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank of the jet boat prior to its last run of the season. After the outing is over, add another bottle of fuel stabilizer and fill the tank with fuel. Using the water hose, flush the engine for about 30 minutes. Make sure the engine is running when you flush the system, so as not to damage any cylinders. We’ll pick up here tomorrow. You can use the time between posts to make sure you have all the necessary materials, including plenty of Yamaha outboard oil.

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Repairing a 2-Stroke Float Valve

The float valve is an essential component of any outboard engine because it controls the level of fuel present in a carburetor’s float bowl. If the levels are incorrect, the engine may flood out or starve for fuel. Repairing and adjusting a  is fairly simple.

Start by turning the carburetor float bowl upside down, so the float hangs free. Using a six-inch machinist’s ruler, check to see if the float is correctly set. If not, bend the small metal tab between the hinge and body of the float, so that is lies at the correct level. Don’t forget to check the levels of Yamaha oil when you’re done tinkering with the float bowl!

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Pre-Thanksgiving Activities

I hope all you readers had a great Thanksgiving! It’s a tradition in many families to play football before the big meal. It’s a time of family bonding, but more importantly (according to my wife) it keeps the kids and men-folk out of the kitchen while the women finish preparing the meal.

Since we’re a boating family, we usually forgo football and head for the water. This year we took out two outboard motors. The teenagers earned the right to drive the boats by demonstrating to us “old timers” that they knew how to prep the boat by checking the Yamaha 2S oil levels and whatnot.

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Fishing in Arkansas, Part II

Another fish my uncle is partial to fishing is catfish. Generally I’m not a fan of catfish – their ugly faces are so off-putting – but they do taste excellent when fried just right. Arkansas offers many lakes for catching catfish, including Lake Atalanta, White Oak Lake, and Lake Hinkle.

Of course, the biggest catfish can be found in the might Mississippi river. World-record big channel, blue, and flathead catfish are bountiful in the river that runs the length of Arkansas’ eastern border. I’d love to fill a boat up with Yamaha 2M oil, head out on the Mississippi River, and catch some big catfish!

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Fishing in Arkansas, Part I

My favorite uncle was an Army brat who grew up on base in Arkansas. Though he now lives on the East Coast, he often travels back to Arkansas to visit family and childhood friends. When he’s out there, he likes to take advantage of the excellent fishing.

His favorite places to fish for walleye include Bull Shoals, Norfork lakes, Eleven Point, and Lake Greeson. To date, the world-record walleye weighed in at 22 pounds, 11 ounces, and was caught in Greers Ferry Lake in March 1982. Perhaps I’ll get to join my uncle on his next trip. I may not be an expert fisherman, but at least I know how to check to make sure the level of XD1 Evinrude ETec outboard motor oil.

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East Coast Trout Spots

As anyone who has ever caught a trout can tell you, it is an exhilarating feeling. For our East Coast readers, here are two spots that you should definitely check out. First, is Roscoe, NY, aka Trout Town USA. Beaverkill River and the Willowemoc River flow through town and provide stunning wild brown and rainbow trout.

State College, PA, home of Pennsylvania State University, is also a prime trout fishing location. Creeks and rivers fed by cool streams surround the area, making it a prime location for trout to live, breed, and be caught year round. Wherever your destination, make sure your boat engine has plenty of two cycle outboard oil.

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Best Bass Fishing Spots in U.S.

Americans are blessed with plentiful bass fishing holes (with the exception of Alaska, but, hey, 49 out of 50 isn’t bad). I recently stumbled upon an article listing the top 25 bass fishing spots in the Union. From my own experience, I would say there are some more deserving areas that could be on the list, but overall, the author did a good job.

He listed Falcon Lake, TX, Lake Okeechobee, FL, and even Georgia’s Lake Lanier. California had quite a few spots on the list, including Lake Amidor, Castaic Lake, and The San Joaquin Delta. With a little bit of know-how, a good lure, and two cycle oil in your engine, whatever watering hole is closes to you can become the best bass catching spot.

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Blending Synthetic and Regular Oil

I’ll admit that I used to be part of the crowd that believed that synthetic and regular oil could not be mixed. I falsely believed that mixing the two would cause congealing, foaming, and leaks. All of that turned out to be false.

In fact, some major manufacturers produce blended oils known as semi-synthetics. These combination oils work because synthetic oil is based off of regular crude oil and then hydrocracked to eliminate impurities. If you already have synthetic oil outboard motor and regular motor oil on hand, then you can mix your own semi-synthetic. Just be sure to read up on proper procedures before attempting the combination.

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Beneficial Properties of Synthetic Oil

There are boaters who believe that using synthetic oil instead of regular oil is akin to using margarine instead of butter. It may look the same, but does it really do the trick? As a former doubter, I can attest to the beneficial properties of synthetic oil.

Several years ago I made the switch to synthetic 2 stroke outboard oil. I learned that many synthetic oils are made with ash-less components to prevent fouling. The anti-gel properties also proved better than the regular oil I was using. Plus, the synthetic oil came dyed blue which made detecting the oil in fuel a lot easier.

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Friendly Family Competition

My brothers and I grew up boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Though most of us live in urban areas now, we still go home for all the major holidays. Our dad still owns a small fleet of boats that he needs help winterizing each year.

To make it less of a chore, my brothers and I have made winterizing the boats into a competition. The first brother to finish winterizing their boat properly wins. Dad, of course, gets to be the judge. He is a particular stickler for making sure that we haven’t shortchanged any areas that need outboard oil.

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