The Sport 340 is described as a boat that can go the distance. It can be used as a fishing, cruising, family fun, or ship-to-shore tender boat. The trick is in the design of the boat: It has a lower center of gravity and high-strength floors with seating for up to five people. Throw an outboard on the back, some Mercury outboard oil, and some gasoline and you’ll be good to go.

I’ve already found some sites that offer good deals on inflatable boats, particularly if they are bought in bulk. I imagine I could likewise strike a deal for engines. As far as oil, I already know that I can easily get my hands on Mercury oil 55 gallon drum for not too much money. I think I’ll mull the idea over this winter and decide one way or the other in time for the summer boating season.

The Ocean Runner is an affordable Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB). The sandwich-laminated fiberglass hull has incredible maneuverability and performance. The deck is non-skid, the bow locker is integrated and securable, and it has a spacious interior for seating the whole family. It can also handle a four-stroke engine, lubricated, of course, by Mercury oil.

After some nagging from my spouse, I finally got back on track researching inflatable boats we may actually purchase and use. The Amanzi rigid bottom inflatable boat by Mercury looks very promising. It can be used both as a tender and also as a daytime pleasure boat.

It comes with deck fuel filler, bow/stern cleats, a mooring eye, and tube reinforcements. Electric bilge pump, integral fuel tank, and tray storage are among the standard accessories. It will even take an outboard marine motor we already own (as well as Mercury engine oil) which makes my spouse happy because it means we won’t have to shell out more money for a new engine.

I like the Mercury 2 stroke premium outboard motor oil for a variety of reasons. First off, the formula exceeds TC-W3 standards. Secondly, I’ve found that its promise of reducing rust and corrosion of internal components is accurate. Finally, using Mercury 2 stroke premium oil provides warranty protection for a number of Mercury manufactured engines.

Mercury’s heavy duty inflatable boat series is another “toy” I’d like to check out, but personally have no real use for. Though it can be used for pleasure, the heavy duty inflatable boat is intended to be used by professionals. it can hold up to eight people and plenty of cargo (for which there are straps).

In addition to the cargo straps, the heavy duty inflatable boat comes with aluminum and fiber reinforce polymer floorboards, external carry handles, and an inflatable keel. Grab ropes and bold red fabric improve safety, too. As with other Mercury inflatable boats, the heavy duty models are compatible with engines that take Mercury 2 stroke oil.

Even though I’m supposed to be looking for an inflatable tender, I couldn’t help but check out some of the top of the line inflatable crafts made by Mercury Marine. The V750 Cruiser, for example, is a real beauty. The inflatable boat can be used for fishing, diving, or as a snorkeling platform.

The Cruiser comes with bow stern and anchor lockers, integral fuel tank, electric bilge pump, and a diving platform with ladder and deck shower kit. Rear bench seating, 12-volt ice chest, and switch panel with 12-volt accessory plug makes it quite the luxury boat. Best of all, the Cruiser is compatible with several engines which all take Mercury 2 cycle oil.

An incorrect storage drum can cause damage to the oil itself. The wrong storage drum can also become corroded and leak oil everywhere, thus hurting the environment and your wallet. The moral of this story is, give your mercury oil 55 gallon drum guy a call when you place your order to make sure everything is kosher.

Take care of the engine, mercury oil, and other necessities on the boat and position the vehicle where you want it to stay for the season. Pad sharp corners that could potentially puncture the shrink wrap. Put up support poles for the shrink wrap to adhere to, and then unroll the shrink wrap over the boat. Use the heat gun to tighten and seal the shrink wrap. Check your work for any holes, patch up those holes you find, and finally install self adhesive vents to keep mold from forming under the wrap.

In one of the Department of Energy approved tests, a 200-horsepower outboard engine’s bearings on a piston disintegrated after 300 hours of operation. Meanwhile, the outboard engine using mercury engine oil and fuel mixture did not experience any damage. Supporters of the new blend counter that the tests are statistically irrelevant because so few engines were used. Supporters also claim that the engines tested were not calibrated properly for the new 15 percent ethanol blend.