2 Cycle Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 18

Snowmobiles Explained: Staying on Track

2-cycle-oilIn yesterday’s installment, we took a look at the four main components of a snowmobile’s drive system: the engine, clutch, track and skis. We’ll shift gears slightly today to focus on the track in particular and the steering system in general. The track is designed to maximize traction as the sled moves along the snow. It could be likened to that of a tank, with one major difference: tank tracks are stiff and durable above all other considerations because of the role they play in warfare. Snowmobile tracks, on the other hand, are meant for optimal swiftness and maneuverability.

It goes without saying that snowmobile tracks are more effective on snow than wheels would be, but why is this so? The answer comes down to a question of physics. By spreading out the point of contact with the snow to a larger surface area, tracks create plenty of traction. The treads on the track are rough enough to create friction and grab onto the snow at regular intervals.

Snowmobiles steer in much the same way as other vehicles with handlebars. However, the steering system brings up another major difference between tank tracks and sled tracks. Tanks are often given outfitted with double tracks, which are charged with steering. Snowmobiles come equipped with twin skis at the front of the sled. The width and spacing of the skis make a significant difference when steering. Narrow skis allow a snowmobile to take sharp turns. Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the improvements that have been made to 2 cycle oil formulations.

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When Buying an Outboard, Think Long-Term

bulk-motor-oilBuying an outboard motor is a process that should not be taken lightly. As perhaps the most critical purchase you’ll ever make in regards to your boat, it deserves significant preparation and forethought. Take some time to explore the market – both online and at nearby dealerships. Scan the classified ads in your local newspaper for used outboards, but remember that most marine engines manufactured since 1990 should receive TC-W3 certified bulk motor oil.

Our logical tendency as consumers is to seek out the best deal, and to some that might mean the lowest price. Unfortunately, the cheapest goods don’t always equate to the best value. There’s a lot of truth in the old saying that “you get what you pay for.” Still, it’s possible to find a lot of value on the used market. You’ll just need to be discerning when making your selection.

When making your purchase, try to look beyond the price-tag and the immediate costs. All outboards require basic maintenance, and in the case of a high-quality model, that maintenance should be enough to make the engine last for years at a time. Before latching onto a bargain-basement-priced off-brand outboard, ask yourself if it’s really worth it in the long run.

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Why Does Propeller Pitch Matter?

propllars1Yesterday we discussed the virtues of purchasing the proper propeller for one’s small boat. I received some correspondence from some longtime readers requesting specifics. The most common questions had to do with the “pitch” of the propeller and what that might mean for engine efficiency. So, thanks to popular demand, let’s take a closer look at that undervalued part that cuts through the water with authority.

Pitch refers to the distance a propeller moves forward with each rotation. This measurement is extremely important for boaters who want to achieve maximum RPM at full throttle with a normal load inside the boat. If a boat is overpropped, or has too much pitch, it will be slow to get on plane and it won’t respond immediately to the throttle. In other words, such a boat will act as a sluggard until a more suitable propeller is attached.

If the boat is underpropped, or doesn’t have enough pitch, it will effortlessly exceed the manufacturer’s recommended RPM, and it will hop along in the water. Find a happy medium where the given pitch of a propeller corresponds to recommended RPM, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving engine efficiency and saving a pretty penny. Try asking a boat dealer if you can water-test a few different props before buying. Don’t let your latest fixation on propellers distract you from mandatory maintenance duties, however. Some fresh 2 cycle oil always does a motor good.

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Pick the Propeller That’s Right for You

propIf fuel efficiency and thrift are important to you – and let’s face it, most small boat owners are a bit hard up for cash these days – consider thinking outside the box. We’ve sung the virtues of fuel flow meters, marine GPS units and routine maintenance habits, all of which will help you save on fuel and maximize your fishing or cruising experience. Still, these are far from the only serious steps a money-savvy boat owner can take to cut down on costs. For instance, make sure you choose a two cycle oil that meets all EPA environmental regulations. Then focus your attention on picking a propeller.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no one propeller that’s guaranteed to be right for every situation. Boaters should tailor their prop choice according to their habits and needs. The blade shape, diameter and pitch are all common variables. It’s not unusual for boaters to overload their crafts with passengers, fuel and gear – and the weight of the boat can make all the difference in terms of fuel efficiency.

Make a list of the amount of passengers, gear, coolers and other essentials you might take onboard your boat. Present this list to your boat dealer and ask him or her to find a suitable prop. You can then test your propeller by installing it and testing it out under loaded conditions. Bring the boat up to full throttle and watch to see if it reaches maximum RPM. If not, you may need a different prop.

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Fishing on a Budget: Saving Fuel

fishingonaboat

Although the national economic recession has shown a few signs of slowing down, many consumers are still wary about spending money on luxury items. Yesterday we discussed strategies for finding a solid, reliable boat on the used market. Now we’ll turn our attention to cost-cutting measures you can implement once a fishing trip has begun. All of the following tips will help you save money on two cycle outboard oil.

Try running the boat at different cruising speeds; make note of your fuel consumption at each time. Divide your speed in miles per hour by the gallons per hour of fuel that were consumed to derive fuel efficiency in miles per gallon. Since every fishing boat has what’s known as a “sweet spot” – the speed at which fuel efficiency is maximized – it’s just a matter of experimenting until you find the right speed.

If you have a marine GPS unit, use its fish-finder features to make educated guesses about the location of nearby schools of fish. You might be surprised at how much fuel is wasted just circling around a lake aimlessly in search of a bite. If your boat lacks a GPS unit, talk to some friends who have already fished that particular lake or other body of water. See if they have any tips about where the action might be.

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Looking Back at the EPA Phase-In

outboard1Today’s boaters could be forgiven for putting the past out of mind. As recently as the 1990s, federal rules for outboard engine efficiency were much less stringent – to the point that pollution became a problem and the small boating industry became something of a scapegoat for environmental groups. Around 1996, the marine industry and the Environmental Protection Agency teamed up to create and enforce fuel standards.

That standard might seemed especially ambitious at the time – outboard engine hydrocarbon emissions were to be reduced by 75 percent from 1996 levels in just 10 years – but it was necessary to move forward. The phase-in started in 1998, and traditional carbureted 2-stroke engines were immediately targeted for a revamp. In the past, 2-strokes accounted for more than 12 times as much pollution as their 4-stroke counterparts.

Today, most of us would be hard-pressed to remember the days when 2-strokes lagged behind in terms of fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness. Direct fuel injection represented a tremendous boon by cutting down the ozone-forming exhaust coughed up by engines as much as 95 percent. The increased fuel efficiency of today’s outboards has allowed boaters to save serious cash on bulk oil. It’s important to note, however, that these regulations apply only to newer boats. The clean technology developed by manufacturers with the help of the EPA cannot be retrofitted to an old boat.

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Pros and Cons of Each Drive System

drive-system

A boat’s drive system consists of components that work together to transfer engine power to the water, directing the thrust of the vessel. A problem with the drive system can spell disaster for a boat’s mobility and bring what should have been a peaceful day out on the lake to a screeching halt. Today we’ll take a closer look at the three main types of drive systems as well as their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Drive systems are identified by their positioning in the boat. The three types include inboard, outboard and inboard/outboard. Among the three, outboard motors are highly touted for their portability and the fact that they don’t take up any interior space. It’s crucial that the weight of an outboard is chosen according to the size of a boat, as a heavy motor can cause the craft to sit low in the water. Before taking an extended trip with this type of engine, it’s crucial to pack a supply of bulk outboard motor oil.

Inboard engines often get credit for providing more stability as they can be balanced inside the boat near the center of the hull. Unfortunately, these engines are less than ideal when families or large groups of friends want to take a ride; they simply take up so much interior room. An inboard/outboard system solves the space problem by keeping most of its components outside the boat, but the engine itself is more complex and prone to breakdowns.

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Ethanol: How Much Is Too Much for Boaters?

ethanol-insetOver the last few months, we’ve visited and revisited the threat posed by ethanol additives to the small boat industry. Specifically, ethanol lobbyists are seeking a waiver to sell E15 – that’s gas with a 15 percent concentration of ethanol – or even E20 as a standard fuel mixture for marine engines. As many boaters are aware, most small vessels on the market and in the water today are ill-equipped to deal with such high concentrations of the additive.

The question, then, for most boaters is “how much is too much?” The answer depends on the make, model and year of each individual boat. While most outboards are made to handle standard two cycle oil made by the likes of Yamaha, Evinrude and Mercury, marine engines can generally tolerate E10. The fuel system of the boat is a whole other story, as even a 10 percent concentration of ethanol can do irreparable damage.

E10 has a shelf life of two weeks, after which time it undergoes phase separation. If a boat sits idle for any extended stretch of time, the ethanol additive will evaporate, leaving behind only low-octane fuel. This fuel is much more likely to create blockages in the fuel system, and the ethanol that separates will sink to the bottom of the tank. After phase separation occurs, the fuel system is rendered inoperable until it’s drained.

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Increasing Power and Efficiency

speed-boat_thb

Over the years, 2 stroke engine manufacturers competed not only to build the most powerful engines, but also the most efficient ones. Efficiency becomes even more crucial when discussing engines in the 115 to 150 hp range. These outboards are best suited for boat owners who don’t mess around – they want to get from point A to point B quickly, and reliability is key. Still, it would be a shame to waste a perfectly good fuel/oil mixture.

Loop charging, also known as Schneurle porting, is a method by which transfer ports force the fresh fuel/air mixture into the combustion chamber as soon as it enters the cylinder. This discourages fuel from being lost through the exhaust port, improving efficiency as well as engine power. The method got its moniker from Anton Schneurle, a German scientist who invented a form of it in the 1920s.

Prior to the widespread of loop charging, 2 stroke engines trailed behind their 4 stroke counterparts in terms of power and efficiency. Today, Yamaha and other purveyors of 2 cycle oil feature a line of high-end, loop-charged engines that run the gamut from 115 hp to 150 hp. Without these innovations, boat owners wouldn’t be able to enjoy the speed and efficiency of modern outboard engines.

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Seeking Thrills and Making Plans

waverunner

Earlier this summer, my family bought some beachfront property on the western shore of Lake Huron. I took my wife for a number of sailing excursions on our catamaran, and sometimes we’d even strap a life jacket onto the dog and let him join in the fun. But now that fall is here, I’m beginning to think about buying a new toy for next year. The sailboat provides a relaxing experience, but I’m looking for some adventure.

One of my friends recommended that I look into the personal water craft market. I’ve ridden waverunners in the past, but only at parties. Come to think of it, I’ve never really had a bad time zipping through the surf on a personal water craft. I’m going to wait until spring to make the purchase – that way I can save on storage costs – but in the meantime I’ve already started preparing myself mentally.

For instance, I found some information online about proper safety procedures onboard a waverunner in addition to some maintenance tips. It seems that keeping the craft well lubricated with Yamaha 2w oil is among the top priorities. Beyond that, I’ve also let the kids know that they’re in for a real surprise when spring comes. I can’t wait to see their faces when I suddenly appear, bursting through the waves on a personal water craft.

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Exploring the Used Outboard Market

used-outboard-market

While some boat owners are beginning to think about winterizing their crafts, others are plotting well ahead for next spring. If your outboard engine has recently gone kaput, you might be tempted to look for a brand new motor. In fact, it may be a better plan to scan the market for used engines from such quality names as Yamaha, Evinrude and Mercury. These motors have proven dependable over the years, but of course they should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Magazines like Consumer Reports are especially helpful guides to evaluating an engine’s dependability, and you might also get some insight from online product reviews. Age and use are perhaps the two most important factors to consider, but they should not be confused. The age of the engine is only relevant insofar as you’ll need to know the proper formulation of oil to use. Most quality motors manufactured in the 1990s or later will use a TC-W3 formulation of two cycle outboard oil.

For obvious reasons, an engine will decrease in value as its use increases. Pay special attention to the number of hours run rather than miles. Although a well-worn motor might work out fine for a while, it will no doubt require frequent maintenance and there’s little guarantee it will run without incident.

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TC-W3: Setting the Standard

Yamalube oilIf you’ve been shopping around for outboard oil lately, you’ve probably noticed a small indicator on the label, proclaiming that the oil meets “TC-W3” standards. But what does this designation really mean? As one might expect, TC stands for two-cycle. The W is merely standing in for water-cooled. And the 3 simply means that it’s the third formulation of oil for two-cycle, water-cooled engines.

Now that you’ve learned to crack this cryptic motor oil code, it’s time to look in depth at how the TC-W3 standard is determined and which outboard oils make the grade. Two-stroke marine engines are characterized by the way they blend oil and fuel, thus providing lubrication for the engine even as it’s functioning. For many years, people mistakenly believed that this oil-fuel mixture would become archaic due to its environmental impact.

Luckily, the big-time competitors in the two-cycle market – Yamaha, Evinrude and Mercury – took the issue to heart and worked to create an oil formulation that would reduce mixture ratio to fuel and keep an engine running strong. That new formulation is known as TC-W3, and today’s Yamaha oil easily makes the grade. Bear in mind that the old motor oil lying around in your garage or shed might not be appropriate for outboards made after 1992. Consult the outboard manual for more information on the topic of oil compatibility.

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