Being a Cranky, Old Dad

I can always tell when my kids want something because they’ll offer to help on the boat – a task they’re usually loathe to do. This time around it was my daughter offering to help me change out the Evinrude oil on the boat. I knew what was coming, but I agreed to let her lend a hand.

Sure enough, when we were half-way done she tried to casually ask me if she could host a Halloween boat party with some of her friends. Now, I’m not anti-Halloween, but a bunch of teenagers out on a boat at night is a bad idea in general, but with the potential for Halloween mischief could make it a downright dangerous idea. She was disappointed when I firmly told her “no,” but was somewhat appeased when I told her she could have a small get together at our house on Halloween – with her mother and I supervising, of course.

Did you like this? Share it:

Evinrude’s Answer to Four Stroke Engines

Four stroke engines are known for their easy start, smooth operation, and fuel economy. Two stroke engines, on the other hand, have in the past been scolded for inconsistencies, bad idling, and too much gas consumption. Evinrude decided to tackle the two stroke flaws and created the Evinrude ETEC engine.

The Evinrude ETEC engine is a direct injection two stroke outboard motor. It is able to idle at lower revolutions per minute and is far quieter than its predecessors. Plus, for the first 300 hours of use, the ETEC does not require maintenance. Once you do hit those 300 hours, be sure to change out the oil with XD1 Evinrude ETEC outboard motor oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Starting a Flooded Johnson Outboard

What do you do when your two or four stroke engine is flooded? First off, don’t panic. A flooded outboard motor is relatively easy to fix. It just takes a little patience and know-how to get your to turn over.

Begin by pushing the choke to on and then turn the ignition switch. Next, bring the throttle to neutral then gradually to full and open. Pull the choke off, turn the ignition, and then crank the engine. Pull the throttle back to neutral and repeat the cycle until the engine is drained. When you get the chance, take a look at your engine on dry land, and add Johnson outboard oil if necessary.

Did you like this? Share it:

Hampton Vacation

When people think of “The Hamptons” they think of wealthy New Yorkers with massive beach front mansions. While there are a number of wealthy New Yorkers who reside in the Hamptons during the summer, there are plenty of folks who call the Hamptons home year round. There are even more Americans who simply like to vacation there in the summer.

Personally, I like to spend a week with my family in Montauk in East Hampton. We get to enjoy the beach, Montauk sound, and great local flavor. If we can swing it, we’ll rent a boat for a day or two for cruising about and fishing. I’ve noticed that the rental shop uses Evinrude XD50 oil, which is what I would use, too, if I spent a lot of time out on the water.

Did you like this? Share it:

The Environment and Evinrude

At the turn of the 21st century the Outboard Motor Corporation was not doing too well. As a result, the company was taken over by BRP. As part of the rebuilding effort, there was a re-focusing on making Evinrude motors more environmentally friendly, in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the .

The company did so well, in fact, that in 2005 the EPA awarded them the Clean Air Excellence Award for the advancements in Evinrude E-Tec technology. Evinrude has continued on the path of excellence. To maintain your Evinrude motor, be sure to use Evinrude XD100 oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Changing a Johnson Lower Unit Seal

The lower level of a Johnson outboard houses the water pump and propeller, among other important parts. Two seals keep the water out of the gears and keeps packed grease in, so if the seals become damaged in any way this can cause lots of problems. Therefore, when a seal is damaged it must be replaced.

Start by removing the cotter pin and then the propeller nut. Place the steering wheel puller over the propeller shaft, then lock the arms of the steering wheel puller and depress the bearing carrier off the gear case. Remove the damaged seal and pull out the old O-ring. Place the new seal into the bearing carrier and tap it into place with a mallet. Finally, spread grease on the seal. Don’t forget to replace the motor oil with Evinrude XD 50 oil!

Did you like this? Share it:

1999 115 Evinrude Boat Specifications

In the early 1990s, Evinrude introduced the 115 horsepower engine. The Ficht-Ram model, introduced in 1999, featured an outboard design. The new design had better fuel efficiency, and therefore increased performance, when compared to other four-stroke engines.

The Ficht-Ram model uses 87 octane gasoline and is lubricated with Evinrude XD 100 oil. The recommended ration between the two is 60:1 or 300:1 depending on desired performance level. Once a year, the engine needs to be serviced to ensure continued high quality performance.

Did you like this? Share it:

Winterizing a 9.9 Evinrude Outboard Motor, Part I

Winterizing an Evinrude 9.9 outboard motor may seem expensive, but failing to do so will cost more in the long run. Begin by washing the motor. Next, add one ounce of fuel stabilizer to the tank for each gallon of fuel the tank can hold. Run the mixture through the engine.

Flushing attachments, sometimes referred to as “earmuffs,” should be attached to a garden hose. Cover the motor’s cooling water intake with the earmuffs. Run the motor at 1500 rpm for five minutes. Stay tuned tomorrow for Part II of winterizing a 9.9 Evinrude outboard. Keep in mind that as it’s still summer, so continue using Evinrude oil to keep your boat humming along for the rest of the season.

Did you like this? Share it:

Troubleshooting an Evinrude E-Tec Motor

The Evinrude E-Tec outboard motor enjoys popularity because of its low maintenance. The fact that it can run for 300 hours without inspections or adjustments doesn’t hurt its reputation either. Still, even the best outboard motors can run into problems, so it’s important to know how to trouble shoot.

If a problem does arise, look first for blown fuses. A spare 10 amp fuse is provided by the manufacturer so you shouldn’t have to spend a lot to replace a blown fuse. Next, check the water intake screens and also check for kinked fuel hoses. Finally, check for debris in the Evinrude E-Tec. Gunk won’t allow the propeller to turn properly.

Did you like this? Share it:

Reduce Outboard Smoke

At some point, every outboard motor smokes. To reduce the amount of smoke and the frequency in which it appears there are a few steps responsible boat owners can take. The first step is to add fresh fuel to the fuel tank.

The next step, and perhaps the most effective, is to change the motor’s oil. Replace old mineral oil with synthetic oil, like the Evinrude 2 cycle oil XD100. Synthetic oil runs cleaner, thus immediately reducing smoke. De-carbonizing the outboard motor also reduces the carbon build-up that causes smoking and poor performance.

Did you like this? Share it:

Paella, Part 2

If you’re following along from yesterday’s post, then you’re probably chomping at the bit to get cooking. Start by heating 1 tablespoon of oil in a sauté pan on medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp in the sauté pan until they are pink on both sides. Set the cooked shrimp aside. Next you need to add more oil to the pan so you can cook the sausage until it begins to brown, and then add in onions, garlic, and rice.

Stir in the paprika, turmeric, diced tomatoes, broth, salt and pepper. Bring the whole dish to a boil, and then reduce the heat to simmer. Place a lid on the pan and let the dish cook for 25 minutes. During the last minute stir in the peas. Voila! You may not have enough room to eat the whole pan, so save some for your next boat outing on your outboard motorboat that’s engine has been properly lubricated with Evinrude XD 50 oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Paella, Part 1

Two years ago I had the good fortune to spend a few days in Barcelona, Spain. While visiting I of course had to try some world famous fish paella. Authentic paella is cooked in a special, large paella pan over an open fire. It is still possible to recreate the flavors in a smaller pan on your stovetop at home.

To complete this recipe you will need: 2 tablespoons olive oil, ¾ pound medium shrimp (peeled and de-veined), 12 ounces chicken sausage (sliced into half inch rounds), 1 finely chopped onion, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 ½ cups long grain rice, ¼ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric, 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 cans chicken broth, coarse salt, ground pepper, and 1 cup peas. If you can get your hands on fresh shrimp, that is ideal. In fact, if you want to add freshly caught shrimp to the recipe that works, too. Just make sure you use Evinrude XD 100 oil in your motorboat.

Did you like this? Share it: