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Archive for the ‘Outboard Motor Oil Recycling’ Category
Have you taken a look at the 2011 Evinrude 115 ETEC outboard motor? It can reach a top speeds between 37.3 mph and 46.7 mph, depending on the boat it’s paired with. Plane speed, which is measured in seconds, ranges from 3.5 seconds to 5.5 seconds.
What I like best about this particular motor is its fuel efficiency. On one tank of gas, the Evinrude 115 can squeeze out 170 miles (when driven at approximately 22.3 mph, of course). The engine takes XD1 Evinrude ETEC outboard motor oil to keep all its parts operating smoothly.
I’ve been asked to give a brief refresher course as to how a two cycle engine works. There are three main components of a two cycle engine: spark plugs, compression, and power valve system. The spark plugs ignite the combustion mixture, thus generating power in the combustion stroke. The igniting spark plugs move the pistons up and down, compressing the crankcase mixture, and opening the exhaust port so a fresh supply of fuel can be taken in.
As the piston moves down toward the spark plug, the combustion mixture is compressed, thus creating a vacuum in the crankcase. The vacuum in turn causes the reed valve to open, the combustion mixture to be drawn out, and the cycle is then started over. The power valve system closes the exhaust port during piston cycles for better low-speed engine power. Now that you have a better understanding of how a two cycle engine works, you’ll know better than to supply the engine with anything other than premium two cycle outboard oil.
I read another pithy tagline for inflatable boats, this time for the Sport 340 soft bottom inflatable boat. The tagline read, “Capable. Very Capable.” It’s not quite as catchy as the tagline I mentioned in Monday’s post, but it still made me snicker.
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.
According to Mercury Marine, their synthetic blend Verado outboard motor oil is far superior to a popular 15W 50 full synthetic oil. Verado, they claim, has better shear stability and volatility. It also has a higher viscosity and HTHS after shear.
Improved bearing protection is a result of the superior HTHS after shear. In difficult situations, the Mercury synthetic outboard motor oil blend holds its viscosity better. Mercury Marine’s synthetic Verado blend consumes less oil than the popular brand. I’m inclined to believe the claims made about Verado given Mercury Marine’s reputation and staying power in the industry.
I read another pithy tagline for inflatable boats, this time for the Sport 340 soft bottom inflatable boat. The tagline read, “Capable. Very Capable.” It’s not quite as catchy as the tagline I mentioned in Monday’s post, but it still made me snicker.
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 motor oil, and some gasoline and you’ll be good to go.
Boat rentals are a big business during the summertime. The more I learn about inflatable boats the more I’m intrigued by the idea of starting my own rental company. Eventually I could work my way up to an entire fleet of inflatable boats that can be used for fishing or simply cruising.
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.
Sometimes when ad men try to be clever it actually works out. I was reading a review for the Ocean Runner inflatable boat and the tagline read, “Nothing dinghy about it!” Sure it’s a pretty bad pun, but it’s not inaccurate.
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.
I’ve recently been researching inflatable boats to use as ship-to-shore tenders. A top priority for me is ease of transport rather than speed. For that reason, a soft bottom roll-up inflatable boat was recommended to me.
It is supposedly compact and lightweight. No special equipment or trailers are needed; in fact, the whole boat rolls up into a bag that holds everything needed. The particular boat I’m looking at, by Mercury Marine, seats three people, has slat floorboards for stability, and an ABS-coated transom. A two stroke engine that takes Marine engine oil can be attached to the rear of the boat to easily take me out to where my larger boat is docked.
There was some clamoring about the post from yesterday that I didn’t give enough cipher information. Let me back track and explain a bit more about the driveshaft length letters in an Evinrude motor’s serial number. The letter L corresponds to a 17-inch driveshaft, Y to a 19-inch driveshaft, X to a 20-inch driveshaft, and Z to a 22-inch driveshaft.
To know what year your motor was produced, remember the word “introduces.” The letter I=1, N=2, T=3, R=4, O=5, D=6, U=7, C=8, E=9, and S=0. Therefore if that part of the motor’s serial number says CE, which means the motor was made in 1989. Maybe you can use this information to enlighten your mechanic next time you pick up Johnson outboard oil.
I’ve gotten a few questions from people about kneeboarding, which I mentioned in yesterday’s post. The most frequently asked question is: “What the heck is kneeboarding?” Simply put, kneeboarding is an aquatic sport where the rider is towed along behind a boat, much like in wakeboarding and water skiing.
The board is shaped similarly to an oversized kickboard with Velcro straps. You start lying down on your stomach on the board with your hands holding onto the handle of the tow rope. As the boat picks up speed you hoist yourself onto your knees and pull the Velcro straps over your thighs. This keeps the board attached to you as you attempt to catch air. I remember it being a ton of fun as a little kid. You should definitely check out some kneeboards next time you pick up Evinrude outboard oil.