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Archive for July, 2009
WaveRunners and other personal water craft promise hours of enjoyment on the open water – whether you’re taking a weekend trip to the lake or visiting friends at their seaside getaway. Just like all waterborne vessels, WaveRunners should be operated in a safe, responsible manner. As long as you keep a few basic safety tips in mind, you’re virtually guaranteed a carefree marine experience.
First and foremost, wear a life preserver. People who forgo life jackets out of pride are only doing themselves a disservice. Most states mandate life preservers, and the choice is a no-brainer anyway. Keep your vision from becoming obscured by donning a pair of goggles. You may also prefer to wear gloves, thereby ensuring a solid grip on your craft’s movements.
When other watercraft or swimmers are nearby, you should maintain at least 100 feet of distance. The worst WaveRunner accidents are undoubtedly head-on collisions.
Be sure to keep your personal water craft topped off with oil – that way the engine won’t overheat while you’re out tearing up the waves. High-quality 2-cycle bulk oil can keep your engine running smoothly all summer long.
To continue our discussion about 2-cycle engine maintenance, let’s investigate other potential problem areas. Boaters know that 2-stroke outboard motors hold a distinct advantage over 4-strokes because of their simple design. The piston only travels through the cylinder twice: up once and down once. Two-strokes feature only three moving parts – piston, crankshaft, connecting rod – which drastically limits the number of things that could go wrong during a pleasant day on the water.
If you’re having trouble getting your engine started – or keeping it running for any period of time – check that the motor is well-lubricated with a quality 2-stroke oil such as Yamaha 2m oil. When the motor receives the proper mixture of oil and fuel, it emits tell-tale gray exhaust. Watch out for strange-colored emissions; black smoke implies that the fuel mixture needs to be adjusted.
Since the carburetor controls the leanness of your engine’s fuel intake, it’s worth checking out. If the incoming fuel is too lean, your engine will be under-lubricated and its life will be cut short. Check the air filter, as well, because you always want a steady flow of air to reach the engine components.
As is the case with any machinery, outboard motors require occasional basic maintenance to run properly. Rather than waiting for something to go irreparably wrong, take a proactive approach to motor maintenance by making simple engine observations. Get to know the sound of your well-oiled outboard motor, and learn to recognize any deviations from that norm.
A functioning water pump is particularly important, as it draws water out of the engine and acts as a cooling agent. Without a water pump most 2-cycle engines would overheat in no time. To replace an ailing water pump, begin by removing the bolts from the bottom portion of the motor. Use an engine vice to securely mount the lower engine housing, making sure that any electrical wiring between the housings is disconnected.
Remove the water pump housing, and then replace the impeller. Beneath the impeller you’ll find three gasket seals; remove them. Use some of your supply of bulk outboard motor oil to lube the gaskets before slipping them back into place. Put the housing back into place, and then reconnect the wiring. You’ve just increased the lifespan of your outboard motor.
Yesterday, we took a look at a wide range of outboard motors and provided tips on how to select the proper amount of horsepower for your boat. Once this process is complete, many DIY-type boat owners will want to perform the installation. Before installing the motor and leaving for your first test run, make sure you’re stocked up on bulk motor oil.
Double-check with your boat manufacturer to be sure that you have the right size of outboard motor. Don’t forget to factor in your towing needs: Will you be tubing or water skiing anytime soon? If so, you’ll require some extra horsepower.
Next, choose motor accessories to match the specifications of your boat. If you have cable steering or hydraulic lift, the burden of motor installation is much lighter to bear. Begin the physical part of the installation by measuring your craft’s transom (basically the height of the stern). Fit the motor so that the propeller reaches below the water line, but not low enough to cause drag.
Once the motor is positioned correctly, affix it to the top of the transom by tightening the clamps. Finally, attach a safety cable to the motor. This will keep your motor from sinking if it’s detached by a submerged rock or other debris. Now you’re ready to take your boat out on the open water and enjoy the warm summer breeze.
Summer is in full swing, and there’s a frenzy of watercraft activity in lakes and rivers nationwide. If you want to add your craft to the mix, it’s important to choose an outboard motor that’s powerful enough to keep you in control but also environmentally friendly. First consider your boating needs, and then select an engine accordingly.
Small sailboat owners will want to stick to a light-weight, compact motor in the 2-3.5 hp range. Larger engines tend to hold these smaller vessels back. For small fiberglass boats and aluminum jon boats, an 8-10 hp outboard motor should pack plenty of power. Larger sailboats and longer fiberglass boats require more horsepower – something closer to the 15-20 hp range.
When selecting the proper outboard motor for your boat, bear in mind that 2-stroke engines are now much more environmentally safe than they were only a few years ago. Rigid EPA standards have helped clean up the waterways and improved outboard efficiency. As such, most standard 2-cycle oil makers have stepped up their game as well. Mercury oil is just one of several types that surpass safety standards with ease.
Today, Yamaha is world renowned as a manufacturer of fine engines and accessories, but its origins are very different. As a fledgling company just getting off the ground in the late 19th century, Japan-based Yamaha entered the musical instrument market. Although it’s remained a high-profile proprietor of pianos, guitars and especially electronic keyboards, World War II changed the company’s focus significantly.
During wartime in Japan, musical instruments were seen as an extravagant luxury, whereas the industrial market became lucrative for obvious reasons. The YA-1, an innovative 125cc two-stroke motorcycle, became a best-selling product for Yamaha. Having gotten a taste for a new market, Yamaha Motor Company was born.
Yamaha is now one of the world leaders in marine outboard motor technology. As such, the company began offering its own line of specialized 2-stroke oil. Additionally, Yamaha formulated Yamalube 2s oil for snowmobiles, ATVs and motorcycles. It’s hard to believe that more than a century after its inception Yamaha has diversified into radically different markets and succeeded at every turn.
Viscosity is a measure of friction. Specifically, the term refers to a fluid’s resistance to flow when subjected to external pressures. You can also think of viscosity in reference to a liquid’s thickness at a specified temperature. Molasses is a famously viscous liquid; just try to coax a dollop or two out of the bottle for proof. Pure water sits at the other end of the viscosity spectrum, flowing freely at room temperature.
Viscosity is a particularly important measurement in motor oil. As oil heats up, it thins out; likewise, oil thickens in cold temperatures. Boat owners with outboard motors will want to choose an oil with enough viscosity to lubricate a hot engine, but if the oil is too viscous it won’t be thin enough for cold starts.
To test a fluid’s viscosity in a rather rudimentary way, try stirring it with a spoon. The molecules in viscous liquid are bunched tightly together, so they provide more resistance to stirring. This concept can be carried over to 2 cycle oil in outboard motors. High-viscosity oils prevent metal-on-metal contact inside an engine by providing adequate lubrication. However, too much viscosity can gum up the works, decreasing energy efficiency and making your boat slow as molasses.
By selecting oil with the proper amount of viscosity, you can prolong the life of your outboard motor.
As most boat owners know, 2-stroke marine engines require a mixture of oil and fuel to run smoothly. Emissions from these engines were once a valid environmental concern, but standards for fuel efficiency have gone a long way in combating the problem. The National Marine Manufacturers Association, or NMMA, performs TC-W3 certification tests to determine whether specific 2-stroke oils meet efficiency and lubrication standards. The tests are performed using a variety of outboard motor brands, including Johnson, BRP, and Mercury. They take into account 15-, 40-, and 70 hp engine models.
The benefits of NMMA certification are many: approved oils easily meet EPA environmental standards, they don’t damage engines through excess carbon buildup, and they significantly decrease maintenance costs. Evinrude XD50 oil and other products like it far exceed the minimum criteria for TC-W3 certification. They can be used in pre-mixed and fuel-injection scenarios, which makes them versatile enough for many marine vehicles.
For rapid acceleration and blazing speed, boaters the world over turn to lightweight, compact outboard motors. These motors have progressed by leaps and bounds – especially in the last 40 years – in terms of increased efficiency. By the late 1970s, the world was beginning to gain an environmental conscience. As a result, boaters began scouring the outboard motor landscape for engines that created less pollution.
The Yamaha High Pressure Direct Injection system was borne from these environmental concerns. As its name implies, the system sends gas directly to the combustion chamber. Outboard motors that utilize this system retain their compact appearance and impressive power, but they also gain fuel efficiency. All Yamaha 2-stroke engines require high-quality outboard oil. The VMAX line of motors, available in 150- and 300hp incarnations, continue to meet and exceed EPA emissions standards year in and year out. Where once certain marine engines got a bad rap for polluting lakes, rivers and oceans, the astonishing evolution of outboard technology has made 2-stroke engines more environmentally friendly than ever.
Many people experience the thrill of the open road every day without even pulling out onto a public street. Kart racing is a fun and affordable alternative to pricier motorsports that require an enormous financial investment. Some hobbyists revel in the chance to make physical alterations to their karts’ chassis, and others prefer to take a ready-made kart out for a spin.
Serious kart racers prefer water-cooled 2-stroke engines, which allow them to accelerate quickly and keep a lightning-quick pace around the track. A carefully regimented schedule of maintenance should include liberal dollops of 2 stroke oil. Electric karts are severely limited in their ability to sustain high speeds, so they are largely discounted by kart racers.
Kart racing is often used as a starting point for motorists who plan to take an eventual leap to other motorsports such as stock car racing. Still, kart racing is far from child’s play. It’s a serious sport with legions of followers who would happily leave their detractors in the dust.