Soft Bottom Roll-Up Inflatable Boat

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.

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Additional Serial Number Information

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.

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Kneeboarding

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.

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Transporting an Outboard Motor

Today we’re going to touch on proper transportation. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised by the number of boat owners who cause damage to their outboard motors by not transporting them correctly. Driving with the outboard motor loaded to the transom is fine, but if the outboard is in the “up” position with an unsupported lower unit, every bump in the road is concentrated on the bolts of the fiberglass transom.

Now you may be thinking to yourself, “I always transport my motorboat the way you described. If I don’t, the motor will scrape the lake bottom when landing.” True, a tilt may be necessary, but there is no good reason to not right the motor once the boat has been loaded onto the trailer. Once the boat has been loaded, the motor lowered, and the hull cleaned, take the opportunity to check to see if the motor needs to be topped off with the best outboard motor oil.

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E-TEC Engine: Saving the Two-Stroke Industry

Just a decade ago, the face of the small boating industry was dramatically different. Environmentally conscious boaters were disenchanted with the two-stroke engines of the era – inefficiency and a propensity to pollute had placed them firmly behind their four-stroke counterparts. If that weren’t already enough to signal the two-stroke’s demise, the Environmental Protection Agency set rigorous pollution standards for snowmobiles, personal water craft and other recreational vehicles that utilized two-stroke motors.

The two-stroke renaissance came just in the nick of time – when Evinrude introduced the revolutionary line of E-TEC engines. For years two-stroke engineers had been caught in a serious dilemma – how could they increase the engine’s power while simultaneously cutting emissions? They found their answer in a device known as the Lorentz coil, which had previously been used exclusively for audio technology. The E-TEC fuel injection system also helps keep pollution to a minimum.

Even if the EPA were to place further restrictions on two-stroke engines, the E-TEC could stand pat as a leader in its field. According to one Evinrude executive, the engine only burns 1 percent of the total intake, and the oil doesn’t mix with gasoline. The engine requires very little maintenance, but regular oil checks are recommended. As with any outboard motor, it’s important to keep things well lubricated with Evinrude outboard oil.

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The Future of Outboards: Ethanol Blended Fuel

The EPA has mandated that the use of increased renewable resources must be used in motor oils. Throughout the U.S., ethanol is the most widely available renewable fuel that can be added to conventional gasoline without significant changes. But unfortunately, in a marine environment, ethanol-blended fuels can cause potential damage to outboard engines. Throughout the marine industry, many companies are working towards ways to mitigate the negative effects of ethanol-blended fuel. The EPA wants to increase the ethanol blend wall in gasoline from 10% to 15%, but most older outboard motors cannot function with a ratio higher than 10%. Building compatible outboards for fuel containing 15% ethanol is possible, but there are a lot of older outboards that won’t be able to accommodate the new fuel blend without ill effects. The EPA hasn’t put a formal law in place that would require an E15 fuel blend, but it seems to be on the horizon.

One possible solution is for companies to create outboard oil that would counter the effects of using an E15 fuel on older engines. This outboard oil could prevent damage caused to the engine, and allow older boat engines to continue functioning.

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Mark Earth Day with Proper Boat Care

Happy Earth Day everybody! In light of this eco-conscious day, it’s a good time to assess our own lives and determine what kind of a footprint and impact we’re leaving on our Earth. After all, if we want this planet to still be beautiful for our children, we all need to make changes in our everyday lives. These changes don’t have to extreme, though. They can be something as small as taking shorter showers or walking to the grocery store rather than driving. All of these small changes add up to a big difference.

Another imperative step in the green movement is education. After all, many people simply aren’t aware of how much damage they are inflicting with everyday activities. So make sure you know how to avoid environmental damage whenever possible. This includes when you’re filling or changing your marine engine oil. Learn the proper techniques and steps for changing the oil, and perform regular maintenance checks on your boat or marine vehicle. This will help ensure no excess oil is lost in the water where it can harm animals or water vegetation.

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Developing Green Motor Oil

When it comes to motor oil, there are hundreds of eco-friendly synthetic oils that work just as well as conventional mineral oil. In fact, one company, called Green Earth Technologies, makes synthetic motor oil called G-Oil, which is derived from saturated cow fat. This oil is superior when compared to all conventional mineral oils because it possesses increased lubricity and also is better for the environment. There are several other synthetic oils developed by various companies that serve the same purpose as mineral oils.

For example, the Evinrude XD100 oil, manufactured by Evinrude, is the top synthetic oil for outboard motors and marine engines. This oil trumps conventional mineral oil in all respects, containing the same additives for marine use and providing the additional benefits of synthetic oil. While most automobiles and vehicles are still dependent on gasoline, converting to synthetic motor oil for the engine is of great help to the environment.

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The Best Bass Lures

Let’s face it, when it comes to lures, almost all bass fishermen have a different opinion on what works best. But amongst several bass fishermen, the buzz frog is regarded as one of the best lures for a multitude of circumstances. Buzz frogs are imitation frogs with a solid body and a pair of extending rear legs. Bass just can’t resist the temptation of a buzz frog that creates a lot of noise and commotion in the water with its swimming legs. The bass have an instinct to strike the moving frog, and it’s appealing to that natural instinct that makes this lure one of the best. Buzz frogs are also excellent lures regardless of the weather conditions; whether it’s sunny, overcast, or a downpour, bass love to strike at this lure.

No bass fisherman would be caught without their trusty boat, and all bass fishermen know that Yamaha makes the best outboard motors for smaller craft. The professionals also recommend keeping a supply of outboard oil, gasoline, and repair tools on the boat at all times. No one wants to be caught stranded in the middle of a lake!

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NASA Develops Alloy for Outboard Motors

A new aluminum alloy called MSFC-398 was recently developed by a team of engineers at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Partnering with Evinrude, a leading manufacturer of outboard motors, NASA and Evinrude created the E-TEC outboard motor. The E-TEC has a simple design, but is quite effective. It’s the first outboard motor that does not require regular outboard oil changes, winterization, spring tune-ups, or scheduled maintenance.

The E-TEC two stroke outboard motor represents the latest in outboard motor technology. Because of the new NASA designed alloy, the E-TEC outboard motor is much more durable than its other two stroke counterparts. While four stroke engines have replaced two strokes in several capacities, because of the simple design of the two stroke engine, they’re still great for outboard motors and smaller engines.

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Launching Your Boat

When launching your boat, whether at a conventional boat launch or in a less trafficked location without a boat launch, there are a few precautions to take before you start boating. First you will want to check the boat motor oil and fuel levels to ensure you have enough of both. Second you will want to inspect your propeller whether you use an outboard motor or an internal. In case you have boated recently, also check the hull of your boat for invasive plant species, this is pertinent for lakes and contained bodies of water.

After you have launched your boat, a few handy items to have for boating include a boat hook, a rope to tie off at docks, and a small dingy or inflatable craft should there be an emergency.

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Fuel-saving tips when boating

outboard motor Fuel prices are constantly fluctuating between high and really high these days, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting the best deal you can. Here are some fuel-saving tips when it comes to boating, according to Yamaha-motor.com:
• Perform basic maintenance, such as changing the spark plugs and outboard oil.
• Choose the most efficient propeller for your boat, and make sure there are no nicks or scratches in it. These flaws can cause a loss of grip and will reduce efficiency.
• Don’t carry extra weight if it’s unnecessary – it uses more fuel.
• Avoid wind and waves. Traveling over smooth water uses less fuel.
• Keep the boat clean. Anything stuck to the bottom of the boat increases friction.
• Switch to a four-stroke motor – they’re more fuel efficient than two-strokes.

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Outboard Motor Oil Recycling | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 3