Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 26

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

For Beginners, Keep it Simple

yamalube-2w-oilWith a vast array of products available for your boat and WaveRunner, it can be difficult to decide what products are right for you. If you are unfamiliar with purchasing oil and other products, stick with manufacturer and name brands until you are more familiar with product specifications. Products, such as Yamalube 2w oil, are specifically designed by the manufacturer for use in their machines.

These name brand products will ensure that you are getting the proper features in oil and other products to meet your needs. Once you become more familiar with the specific needs of your vehicle, you can try out other product lines. The manufacturer’s version, however, is a good starting point for the novice.

Did you like this? Share it:

Save Big with Routine Maintenance

outboard-oilYesterday’s post about fuel flow meters got me thinking about other simple ways for boaters to save money in this uncertain economic client. If you can’t afford upgrade your boat’s meter and instrument panel at this time, there’s no need to despair. With a bit of discipline and ingenuity, you can help ensure that your marine vessel will never let you down in a pinch.

All boat manufacturers provide a recommended schedule of maintenance. This schedule is intended to give boaters all the information they need to keep the craft running at peak performance. Not surprisingly, the better you do at keeping up with routine maintenance, the less money you’ll have to pay for repairs down the line. Maintaining the engine should be made a top priority; if you neglect a marine motor you’ll end up spending more for outboard oil.

As is the case with automotive engines, a marine engine becomes practically useless if it’s allowed to overheat. Since outboards pull in water from the lake or river through an impeller pump, you’ll need to check this system and replace its components at regular intervals. Don’t skimp on crank case lubricants either as they keep the internal parts of the system running smoothly.

Did you like this? Share it:

Can a Fuel Flow Meter Save You Money?

fuel-flowEarlier this week, we provided a few simple suggestions to aid boat owners in a financial pickle. It’s amazing to consider how much money the average boater could save by just cutting down slightly on fuel costs. Recognizing that not everyone has the resources or the patience to conduct thorough tests to find a boat’s “sweet spot,” it’s time to highlight a technological innovation that does the job for you.

Just as most modern cars are equipped with a meter that tells the driver how many miles’ worth of fuel is left in the tank, a fuel flow meter can prove helpful in boats. As its name suggests, the meter measures the flow of fuel from the tank to the marine engine itself. That measurement shows up on the instrument panel in terms of gallons per hour. From there, the meter can extrapolate miles per gallon.

More than anything, a fuel flow meter works as an indicator of what improvements could be made to the boat. If your gallons per hour begins to increase, you can infer that something is wrong with the load on the boat, the throttle position, or that you’re going too fast. Stock up on plenty of Yamaha 2m oil, but take note when that supply begins to dwindle at an abnormally quick rate. Even with the help of a fuel flow meter, you’ll need to do some tinkering to truly streamline efficiency.

Did you like this? Share it:

Attaching an Outboard to Your Boat

installingboat

For the better part of the last week, we’ve been focusing on ways boaters can save money without reducing the precious time they get to spend cruising inland lakes, rivers and larger bodies of water. One of the best ways to cut costs is to find a solid, reliable outboard engine on the used market. After you’ve evaluated its structural integrity – and ensured that it’s suitable for use with TC-W3 2 stroke oil – it’s time to install the motor.

Consult the capacity plate on your boat to find out how much engine power the craft can handle. The shaft length of the engine should also match up with the boat’s transom height. Now it’s time to mount the outboard on the center of the transom; if it’s off-balance, you’ll encounter significant steering problems. Position the propeller so that it’s neither too low nor too high. If the propeller shaft juts too far out of the water, it will start to ventilate and wobble.

Beyond simply attaching an outboard motor to the transom, you’ll have to deal with wiring and instrumentation issues. Every marine engine features unique wiring quirks, and you may want to hire a professional for this part of the job. As far as instrumentation goes, you’ll need to choose between analog and digital. Analog relies on many independent wires to run each gauge while digital functions through the boat’s computer.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

Navigating the Used Boat Market

boat-for-sale

When it comes to creating the perfect fishing boat setup, I’m never satisfied. Sure, I’ve had my share of fun and caught my share of fish on old, beat-up boats, but it always seems like the grass is greener on the other side. Whenever I’m driving down the street or taking a walk around the neighborhood and I spot a “for sale” sign on a fishing boat, I immediately begin to take stock of my finances.

Still, I’ve learned plenty of lessons over the years about purchasing old boats and installing outboard motors. First, it’s important to realize that if a boat seems like too great of a deal, there’s probably a reason for it. Don’t skimp on your pre-purchase inspection – look things over thoroughly. The structural integrity of the hull is perhaps the single most critical factor. If the boat isn’t seaworthy, you’ll spend many times more for repairs than you did purchasing the vessel in the first place.

The next consideration involves the outboard motor. Will you be installing an old engine that’s sitting around in your garage or going after a brand new motor? There are several elements you’ll be able to reuse from your old outboard, including the gas tank, the battery and the steering system. Remember to check the shaft length of the outboard to make sure it corresponds with the boat’s transom. Top off the outboard with Yamaha oil before taking it for its second “maiden” voyage.

Did you like this? Share it:

Evinrude Announces Fall Deal on E-TECs

etecs

Yesterday we discussed the fuel efficiency standards that were introduced to the outboard motor industry. Prior to that landmark moment, 2-stroke motors were simple and reliable but caused too much pollution to be viable from an economic standpoint. As we alluded to previously, it took a coordinated effort from the Environmental Protection Agency along with motor manufacturers to create any leeway.

Evinrude stepped up in a big way with its E-TEC engine, which was specifically designed to compete with dominant 4-stroke engines of the time. The E-TEC had the advantage of fuel injectors that work to remove water and vapor from the internal parts. The engine was an instant hit, and Evinrude has been touting this flagship model, along with the boat motor oil it uses sparingly, ever since.

In recent days, Evinrude announced its “Best Deal on the Water” fall promotion, offering boaters a five-year, factory-backed warranty on new E-TECs with 40 or more horsepower. The deal lasts through December 22. According to a press release from Evinrude, the E-TEC is the only marine engine on the market with no dealer-scheduled maintenance for the first three years.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

More Battery Tips

boatpush

We recently discussed the importance of packing multiple battery systems for fishing excursions. One system should be devoted to the general operation of the boat – the cranking function that starts it up – and the other should be relegated to smaller tasks like keeping the radio, radar and GPS juiced up. You might be wondering how it’s possible to prevent one battery from being used up by providing power to all of the boat’s electrical needs.

Yamaha’s battery isolator system has the ability to recharge multiple batteries right onboard the boat. This is especially handy because it’s crucial to keep the cranking battery operational for the duration of a trip. There’s nothing worse than finding out that an outboard engine won’t restart during the middle of your journey. The battery isolator system senses which battery has the least energy and supplies it with a charge. If both are equally tapped or equally full, they each receive the same amount of power.

Note that batteries should always be mounted a safe distance away from the boat’s fuel system. Fuel lines, gas tanks and outboard motor oil in general should be kept separate from electronic components. By keeping these and other safety measures in mind, you can ensure a fun, relaxing late-season boat trip.

Did you like this? Share it:

Don’t Let that Fuel System Corrode in the Offseason

boat-at-dock

You’ve done everything right so far. When it came time to winterize your boat, you followed every solid piece of advice, from flushing the outboard engine with fresh water to disconnecting the fuel hose and changing the gear oil. Unfortunately, there’s one minor detail you may have overlooked, and it’s a doozie. It’s just as important to care for your engine and its components during the offseason as it is during the height of summer.

While your boat is still being used regularly, you’re always diligent about replenishing the supply of bulk oil, so don’t skimp on the essentials during winter. You’ll need to implement a fuel additive – a stabilizer specifically – to ensure that the fuel system doesn’t corrode from disuse. During the summer, most of the varnish and other assorted buildup in the fuel system is flushed out as the engine is in regular use.

These additives keep the system well lubricated so that rust and corrosion don’t build up on the bare metal parts in the fuel system. Since it’s nearly impossible as well as unadvisable to drain all of the water out of your fuel system, additives keep excess water at bay, preventing varnish and sludge from depositing inside the injectors, carburetors and other vital parts of the engine.

Did you like this? Share it:

Mercury Marine’s Latest Offer

mercury-engine-oil

September is a bittersweet month for many boaters; when the cool winds begin to blow, we know it won’t be long before it’s time to take those small vessels out of the water and into storage for winterization. Unless you’re lucky enough to live in an area where there’s open water all year long, these same thoughts are probably running through your head. Mercury Marine, manufacturers of the two-cycle OptiMax engines, has timed its latest promotion with the end of the boating season in mind.

With its “Trade Up America” event, Mercury is offering sizable rebates – ranging from $300 to $1,000 – when boat owners upgrade to a fuel-efficient OptiMax outboard. According to one Mercury representative, the event has been timed to coincide with the start of the winterizing process, when boat owners are starting to think ahead about next year. The offer is valid through Halloween.

It wasn’t long ago that outboard motor manufacturers came under fire from the Environmental Protection Agency, inspiring them to up their fuel-efficiency standards. These days, Mercury engine oil is specially formulated to meet rigorous lubricity and viscosity guidelines. The net effect is that engines like the OptiMax can run with tremendous power and efficiency, all without taking a serious toll on the environment.

Did you like this? Share it: