Outboard Motor Oil

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.

Not unlike the growing popularity of hybrid cars, increasing gas prices are causing boating enthusiasts to think smart.

This year, as boat sales in general seems to have slowed, there has been a 50% growth in electric boat sales.  The boats still utilize outboard motor oil, yet they provide relief at waterside gas stations, which generally charge more for gas than roadside gas stations, as there is little in the way of competition.

Once again, the prices of bulk oil have fallen, trading at $133.64 from nearly $140.  Gas prices, however, remain around $4.11 per gallon.  Though analysts suggest that the sporadic rise and fall of oil means that the previously mentioned breaking price of $150 per barrel will happen, the price jump has been a headache for many Americans, stifling traveling via plane or car; and even affecting the boating industry.

The price of bulk oil dropped today, even at the reports of Hurricane Bertha.  The strengthening of the American dollar and the ease of a storm on the Gulf coast has caused oil to tumble down below $136.

Despite this, gas prices are remaining at $4.10 a gallon.  Because of these prices there have been a lack of demand for gas, as many Americans have opted to stay home or limit their vacations this year.

As we inch closer to the 4th of July weekend, bulk oil prices are still increasing as supply and demand in the U.S. dwindle.  With a weak economy and threat of war in the Middle East, oil and gas prices have been fluctuating for months.

Despite all of these issues, analysts are still claiming that gas and oil prices will slide once a peak (which at press time has been around $143 a barrel) has hit. 

Don’t let the gloom and doom predictions of high gas prices keep you from your boating passion. Even with bulk oil costs soaring, it’s still possible to have some money in your pocket when you leave the fuel pier. By understanding your boat’s design - whether it has a displacement, semi-displacement, or planning hull - and doing some easy calculations, you will know the boat’s most economical cruising speed.

Displacement and Semi-Displacement Boats
Displacement hulls are designed to force their way through the water. A semi-displacement hull achieves a partial plane, which reduces drag and wave making. Both have a top speed that cannot be exceeded without increasing the power significantly. A large power increase also means greater fuel consumption.

To figure the maximum speed, multiply the square root of the waterline in feet times 1.34. Using this calculation for a 38 ft. displacement hull boat, the maximum speed is 9.2 knots. To save money on gas with a displacement or semi-displacement hull, do not try to increase your speed past the calculated maximum speed. In the case of the displacement hull, increasing power to go faster will use more fuel without a resulting speed gain. With a semi-displacement hull, your speed will increase, but there will be a corresponding fuel consumption increase.

Planing Boats
Pull back on the throttles with a true planing hull. Fuel consumption increases with every knot while the boat is on plane. A boat with a planing hull has the greatest fuel economy at the point when it first comes onto plane, or begins to skim the surface of the water.

Limiting the amount of time a planing boat displaces water before coming onto plane will also result in reduced fuel costs. This doesn’t mean slam the throttle downs to get up on plane faster. Instead, bring the boat up to speed at a moderately quick, steady pace.

If you are like me, you like to go fast quickly. But, if you follow these tips for reduced fuel consumption, you will finish at the end of the boating season having won the fuel marathon with a few extra dollars in your pocket.

This weekend, it was announced that Saudi Arabia will increase oil output by an additional 200,000 barrels.  This will make the daily total of bulk oil 9.7 barrels.  The news caused a slight decrease in gas prices, though most analysts are saying that this will not cause a dramatic change in prices.

Despite this output, the White House is still championing an increase in U.S. supplies via off-shore drilling.

The floods in Iowa this week could predicate rising gas prices, yet reports of a decline in gas sales have urged companies to finally keep their prices points low.  In the second day of slippage, gas prices have shown that their prices have increased 36% versus a 94% increase in bulk oil.  The discrepancy is hard to miss, but the demands for gasoline have been decreasing since January, with many people using alternative transportation such as busses, bikes and carpools.

The upcoming financial forecast for fuel suggests different outcomes.  A potential strike in Nigeria, as well as the floods in the Midwest, could drive up the prices of gas, but as crude oil continues to fall, gas prices may as well.

 Bulk oil once again hit a mood swing as it surged towards $140 a barrel, only to fall by day’s end.  However, the average gas price has hit $4 a gallon, though some areas have been paying up to $4.45 a gallon for regular unleaded gas. 

Oil also continues to decline based on the lack of consumption based on the current record break gas prices.