History of Evinrude Outboard Motors Part 4

Bessie Evinrude never fully got over her ailments. She retired from the business in 1928 and died in 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The following year, 1934, Ole Evinrude died. The couple’s son, Ralph, took over the company, which merged with Johnson Motor Company in 1936. The new merger created the Outboard Marine Corporation.

The company produced marine motors for the military during World War II. Throughout the 1930s and 40s the company produced engines for midgets racers, a type of small but speedy race cars. These engines were typically water-cooled engines that ran on special racing fuel. The name lives on through many outboard motor designs, and also through the Ole Evinrude Award that is given annually at the New York Boat Show. If you’ve been inspired by Ole Evinrude’s story, then make sure to stock up on Yamalube 2W oil to keep your outboard motor running properly.

Did you like this? Share it:

History of Evinrude Outboard Motors Part 3

Let’s pick up our story from yesterday. It’s 1909 and Evinrude Motors is doing quite well. Unfortunately, Bessie Evinrude’s health began deteriorating. The Evinrudes, as a result, sold their company in 1913. Ole Evinrude promised to take a five year hiatus from the outboard motor business to focus on his personal life.

During his time off, Evinrude dreamed up a new, improved two-cylinder outboard engine. Thus, in 1921 Ole and Bessie opened the ELTO Outdoor Motor Company (Evinrude’s Light Twin Outboard). Like the one-cylinder that debuted in 1909, the two-cylinder engine was a success. Just eight years later, ELTO Outdoor Motor Company merged with Lockwood Motor Company and the original Evinrude Motors (which had since been renamed the Outboard Marine Corporation). Evinrude was named the president of the new company. Tomorrow we’ll highlight the legacy of Evinrude, but in the meantime, keep your engines humming along with Yamalube 2M oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Swamp Boat Tours ~ Everglades Holiday Park

Tucked away in the swamplands of Western Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is an all around adventure destination – Everglades Holiday Park. Locals and tourists from across the globe are invited to explore the camping and fishing of the area, however, their two most notable attractions are the live gator shows and the airboat tours.

You haven’t really lived until you’ve seen a trained professional of the swampland get up-close and personal with the swamp creatures. I bet you never thought you could see someone kiss and alligator and live to tell the tale, well at Everglades Holiday Park, not only will you witness such a frightful feat, but you’ll be able to explore the swamplands firsthand on one of their amazing airboat tours. What are you waiting for? Sign up today!

Cruising into treacherous waters, it’s likely that airboat captains rely on the clean power of Yamalube 2W oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Boat Engine Basics ~ Compression

Compression within the boat engine is yet another essential part of maintaining a steady operating vessel. The compression is more of an action that a specific part of the engine. Here are the basic steps that need to occur to ensure the proper compression within the boat engine takes place:

• The cylinder must not leak any power when the spark ignites the fuel
• The rings around the piston must press against the cylinder wall exactly
• The valve seats must fit exactly in their guides

The timing must be exact in all areas and the parts may not be worn down or damaged, otherwise the engine will not run at full power. However, you can help things along with the clean power of Yamalube 2W oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Environmentally Friendly Boating Tip 3

Topping off has long been a no-no at filling stations nationwide. By trying to get that last little bit of fuel into your vehicle you can end up creating dangerous spills as well as excess and unnecessary fumes and emissions. When you decide not to take the easy route and top off you save the environment and other motorists from unsafe conditions and exposure to fuel gasses ans fumes.

The same is true when it comes to our boats. When filling the engine we must take care not to top off since excess fuel may end up in our waterways. The last thing we want to do is exxpose marine life and marine environments to gasoline and oil. Learn the proper techniques for fueling your boat’s motor and prevent spillage, excess filling and overflow. Fuel slowly and responsibly to help prevent long term damage to the environment created by careless fueling practices. Using the proper 2 stroke oil will also help increase your fuel efficiency this season.

Did you like this? Share it:

Greener Living – Even on the Water

This week’s group of tips & tricks for boaters centers around a growing trend in our society. These days, people are becoming more and more concerned with keeping the environment healthy, clean and safe. And they’re trying to do it not just for us but for our children and grandchildren as well. This new trend is showing itself in all aspects of our lives, and boating is no exception.

So this week and next we’ll be looking at things you can do, and small changes you can make, to enjoy greener boating. Everyone should be doing more to reduce the carbon footprint, and that means avid boaters and boating enthusiasts. Many people don’t realize that boaters and fishermen were the original conservationists. We enjoy the water directly, and often. As a result we’ve have worked closely with government agencies in order to develop more ways to help the environment. Check out our list and you’ll see how you can too. And try Yamaha 2S oil in your two cycle engine for maximum Yamaha motor efficiency.

Did you like this? Share it:

The Two-Stroke Engine Cycle: Part Two

Now that the first of the two strokes is complete, it’s time for the compression stroke. After the first stroke, the momentum created in the crankshaft propels the piston back to the spark plug. When the piston compresses the combination of air, gas and Yamalube 2S oil, it creates a vacuum which opens the reed valve and allow the mixture to be extricated from the carburetor.

Once the piston makes it through the combustion stroke, the cycle simply starts again. This combination of compression and combustion strokes explains the “two-stroke” portion of the engine’s name. Four-stroke engines have separate intake and exhaust cycles in addition to the combustion and compression strokes.

Did you like this? Share it:

The Two-Stroke Engine Cycle: Part One

Each cycle of any engine begins at the spark plug. Two-stroke engines derive their power from the fact that the spark plug fires once every rotation, as opposed to every other. When the spark plug fires, the mixture of fuel and air in the cylinder ignites to drive down the piston. As the piston moves downward, it compresses the mixture of air and fuel into the crankcase. The the piston creates pressure in the cylinder, pushing the gases out of the exhaust port.
 
The intake port is then covered as the piston reaches the bottom of the stroke. Because the mixture is pressurized in the crankcasae, it rushes into the cylinder. This displaces the excess gas and fills the cylinder with a new supply of fuel and Yamaha 2M oil. Now that this phase of the cycle is complete, tomorrow we’ll have the riveting conclusion: the compression stroke!

Did you like this? Share it:

Disadvantages of Two-Stroke Engines

After reading yesterday’s post, you may be wondering why two-stroke engines aren’t used in more applications; after all, they’re lighter, simpler, cheaper and more powerful than four-strokes. For starters, because two-stroke engines are light and powerful, the system takes more abuse and tends to wear out quickly, which isn’t good for machines like automobiles. In addition, the lubrication system in the two-stroke has been simplified so the gasoline and 2 stroke oil are held together. While this is convenient, it doesn’t provide dedicated lubrication to the engine.

The immense power output from two-stroke motors does come at the expense of efficiency. Not only do two-stroke engines burn through oil rapidly, the oil is also expensive in itself. To compound the issue, two-stroke engines also have poor fuel economy. And the burning of all that gasoline and oil means that two-stroke engines emit a surfeit of pollution. During the cycle, fuel and air leak out the combustion chamber as well, posing a particular threat for marine applications.

Did you like this? Share it:

Winterizing Your ATV: Part Three

Before exposing your ATV to the perils of winter weather, it’s necessary to take a few steps to ensure the machine operates properly. We’ll go over the basic procedures for all vehicles, but the exact process will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. To that end, it’s always advisable to consult your owner’s manual to ensure there aren’t any discrepancies.

The first thing to do is to install a carburetor heater. This will ensure that the mixture of gas, air and 2 stroke oil is always at an adequate temperature when it’s in the system. When you know the weather is going to be extremely cold, it’s crucial to switch to premium synthetic oil that is rated for the conditions. While you can get by with subpar oil in ideal conditions, it’s necessary to invest the extra money when the weather is bad.

Did you like this? Share it:

Winterizing Your Boat: Part Three

After you’ve flushed the system, use a pickup hose to pump some antifreeze through the manifold. This will require you to gain access to the engine room, and while you’re there you’ll want to change the transmission fluid as well. Take out each of the spark plugs and spray some fogging oil into each cylinder. Finally, wipe down the entire engine with some fogging oil, WD-40 or other lubricant.

Stern drives have a tendency to pick up barnacles and aquatic flora during the season, so you’ll want to remove any of these growths from the lower unit. Drain all of the fluid from the gear case and be sure there isn’t any excess moisture in the two cycle oil, which is an indication that your seals are leaking. Thoroughly clean the lower unit with soap and water, apply grease to the system and check all of the necessary fuel levels.

Did you like this? Share it:

Boat Ownership: Part Four

Every boat—at least the ones manufactured after 1972—comes with a distinct Hull Identification Number (HIN) which is etched onto the transom. The HIN, which is a series of 12 letters and numbers, gives your boat a unique identity that can be used in the event of theft or a manufacturer recall. Many states require a registration number, which is not the same the State Registration number.

The HIN format changed in 1984, so we’ll cover the most up-to-date criteria. The first three characters specify the manufacturer; the next five are the hull serial number; followed by the date of certification; and the final two numbers are the model year. It’s important to keep your HIN in a safe location so you have it in the event of an emergency. You should always have emergency products and information like life jackets and extra outboard motor oil.

Did you like this? Share it: