The Future of Outboards: Ethanol Blended Fuel

The Future of Outboards: Ethanol Blended Fuel

The EPA has mandated that the use of increased renewable resources must be used in motor oils. Throughout the U.S., ethanol is the most widely available renewable fuel that can be added to conventional gasoline without significant changes. But unfortunately, in a marine environment, ethanol-blended fuels can cause potential damage to outboard engines. Throughout the marine industry, many companies are working towards ways to mitigate the negative effects of ethanol-blended fuel. The EPA wants to increase the ethanol blend wall in gasoline from 10% to 15%, but most older outboard motors cannot function with a ratio higher than 10%. Building compatible outboards for fuel containing 15% ethanol is possible, but there are a lot of older outboards that won’t be able to accommodate the new fuel blend without ill effects. The EPA hasn’t put a formal law in place that would require an E15 fuel blend, but it seems to be on the horizon.

One possible solution is for companies to create outboard oil that would counter the effects of using an E15 fuel on older engines. This outboard oil could prevent damage caused to the engine, and allow older boat engines to continue functioning.

Did you like this? Share it:

Benefits of Yamalube 2M Oil

Benefits of Yamalube 2M Oil

There are several popular brands of motor oil for use in sport boats, but Yamalube oil stands out amongst the competition for several reasons. Yamalube 2M oil, Yamaha’s motor oil formulated for sport boats, is well renowned for providing engines with superior performance. Yamalube 2M oil is TCW-3 certified, while other popular motor oils used for sport boats are often not. The 2M oil is formulated to perform under intense conditions of heat, and to provide the engine with better lubrication which results in increased speed, lower exhaust, and less engine wear. Yamalube 2M oil is the choice of numerous professional sport boaters, and is even used in some models of personal watercraft because it is formulated to perform under extreme conditions.

When switching from another brand of motor oil to Yamalube 2M oil, it’s important to remember to drain the engine of the other oil beforehand. It’s not a good idea to mix various brands of motor oil because the engine can suffer damage and decreased performance on the water.

Did you like this? Share it:

Maintenance for Yamaha WaveRunners

Maintenance for Yamaha WaveRunners

It’s important to be aware of the regular maintenance intervals for Yamaha WaveRunners. Because WaveRunners are such powerful machines with sensitive engines, owners who ignore the regular maintenance intervals often find themselves with a busted engine. The current service intervals are as follows:

First Service – 10 hours of use (this will often occur after two to three outings)

Initial Maintenance – 50 hours of use or 6 months (whichever comes first)

Follow Up Maintenance – 100 hours of use or 12 months (whichever comes first)

Extended Maintenance – every 200 hours of use or 25 months (whichever comes first)

It’s important to note that the frequency of maintenance can be altered according to the operating conditions. For example, when operating in salt water or muddy water, the engine needs to be flushed with clean water after use. In addition to the scheduled maintenance, it’s important to use the right fuel and oil to keep the engine in top condition. Yamaha WaverRunners are designed to operate on regular unleaded petrol and to use Yamaha 2W oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Improving Outboard Fuel Economy 3.0

Improving Outboard Fuel Economy 3.0

With costs of fuel and oil liable to rise during the summer months, it’s important to implement practices to improve the fuel economy of your outboard motor. One essential practice that keeps all engines in the best condition is performing regular tune ups. Make sure to replace the spark plugs, use the proper mix ratio of fuel to 2 stroke oil, and check other components that can affect fuel efficiency. Be sure to consult the owner’s manual for the recommended service schedule. The trim angle of the engine can also influence the fuel economy, for example, if the engine is trimmed in too much forcing the bow down, it can be harder on the engine. The proper trim angle can also be found in the owner’s manual.

In addition to the above practices, it’s important to drive the boat in a safe manner. Don’t slam the fuel lever, don’t drive at excessive speeds, and cruise at a safe speed. Reckless drivers tend to have engines that won’t last as long. It’s essential to practice safety when operating a boat.

Did you like this? Share it:

Improving Outboard Fuel Economy 2.0

Improving Outboard Fuel Economy 2.0

Improving outboard motor fuel economy involves more than using the right propeller and the highest quality gasoline and oil, there are numerous more rudimentary practices that can have a dramatic effect. For example, it’s important to make sure the hull of the boat is as clean as possible. Plant growth like algae and barnacles can increase drag and reduce fuel efficiency. For people who keep their boat in the water all the time, it’s best to clean the hull at least twice throughout the year. It’s also a good idea to eliminate extra weight when possible. Having a lot of unnecessary items and equipment inside the boat will weight it down and cause a reduction in performance. While it’s a good idea to keep a bit of extra motor oil and fuel inside the boat, bulk oil and fuel isn’t needed unless the boat is being used for extended travel. In addition, it’s important to check the bilge for water that may have accumulated, as this can also weigh the boat down.

These reasons for decreased performance might sound insignificant, but all the various factors add up over time. With these simple steps a marine engine will perform better and the owner will save on oil and fuel.

Did you like this? Share it:

Improving Outboard Fuel Economy

Improving Outboard Fuel Economy

It’s important to conserve fuel to save on cost and to help the environment, and no matter what the outboard model, there are a number of simple practices that can have a dramatic effect improving fuel economy. For example, using the propeller that best suits the boat and the owner’s style of boating will increase the overall performance of the outboard motor. Propeller size and pitch varies quite a lot; too little pitch can result in over revving and engine damage, while too much pitch can overload the motor. This is the reason there are different sizes of propellers available. It’s also a good idea to use the highest quality gasoline and outboard motor oil available. Low octane gasoline can hurt fuel economy; it just doesn’t burn as efficiently as high grade gasoline. The same is true with outboard motor oil; low quality oil can foul spark plugs and create deposits in the engine. Purchasing high quality bulk outboard motor oil can help to save a lot on cost and improve fuel economy.

These simple practices will do much to increase the performance of your boat and allow you to reap the benefits of owning a high performance watercraft.

Did you like this? Share it:

The Best All Around Oil

The Best All Around Oil

Yamaha provides an entire line of motor oil for various different engines including two stroke and four stroke engines, and those designed for specific conditions on land, in the water, and in colder temperatures. When it comes to two stroke engines, the Yamaha 2S oil is the superior choice for a number of different purposes. Whether it’s a chainsaw, an outboard motor, or a snowmobile, Yamaha 2S oil is dependable motor oil that is formulated to accommodate the lubrication demands of a wide range of engines. While Yamaha 2S oil doesn’t contain a lot of the specific additives that some other motor oils contain, it works well in most two stroke engines.

There are several other brands of two stroke motor oil that bear the Yamaha label including Yamaha 2M oil and Yamaha 2W oil. These oils are formulated for the specific engine conditions in sport boats and WaveRunners, but Yamaha 2S oil is also usable for both these engines though the performance will not be as great.

Did you like this? Share it:

Two Stroke Engines Alive and Well

Two Stroke Engines Alive and Well

While two stroke engines have received a lot of criticism due to their excessive pollution, the two stroke engine is still alive and well and newer models designed to have lower emissions are in development. The two leading manufacturers of two stroke engines are Mercury and Yamaha. Mercury quit building traditional two stroke engines for a short period after 2005, but then brought back its models over time. Yamaha offers more than a dozen different two stroke engines that boast the latest in low emissions innovation.

While two stroke engines are still available at large, not all people swoon over the older engines. Two stroke engines burn about 30% more fuel than a low emissions four stroke engine, and can also be harder to start, won’t troll or idle at a smooth rate, and make more noise. Most two stroke engines also require pre-mixed fuel, and there’s always the chance of needing to replace a fouled spark plug. For two stroke owners, it’s a good idea to purchase bulk motor oil for these engines that can be guzzlers.

Did you like this? Share it:

Brief History of the Yamaha WaveRunner

Brief History of the Yamaha WaveRunner

Yamaha’s first personal watercraft, the WaveRunner, started to appear in retail stores in 1986, with the invention of the Yamaha WaveRunner 500. Yamaha broke into the personal watercraft market after Kawasaki’s Jet Ski and Bombardier’s Sea-Doo had started to see a spike in sales. Despite the names Jet Ski and Sea-Doo being brand specific names for personal watercraft, the names have now become synonymous with all stand-up (Jet Ski) and sit-down (Sea-Doo) personal watercraft. The WaveRunner marked Yamaha’s entry into the lucrative personal watercraft market, and soon the WaveRunner personal watercraft was considered top of the line.

Before 2000, Yamaha had cycled through several different names for their personal watercraft including the WaveJammer, WaveBlaster, and WaveRaider. These names represented specific models of personal watercraft, but as of 2000, all of Yamaha’s personal watercraft are named WaveRunner, with a different designation of model attached to the end, for example, the WaveRunner XLT 1200. Yamaha also formulated their Yamalube 2W oil for specific use with their WaveRunner personal watercraft.

Did you like this? Share it:

Mark Earth Day with Proper Boat Care

Mark Earth Day with Proper Boat Care

Happy Earth Day everybody! In light of this eco-conscious day, it’s a good time to assess our own lives and determine what kind of a footprint and impact we’re leaving on our Earth. After all, if we want this planet to still be beautiful for our children, we all need to make changes in our everyday lives. These changes don’t have to extreme, though. They can be something as small as taking shorter showers or walking to the grocery store rather than driving. All of these small changes add up to a big difference.

Another imperative step in the green movement is education. After all, many people simply aren’t aware of how much damage they are inflicting with everyday activities. So make sure you know how to avoid environmental damage whenever possible. This includes when you’re filling or changing your marine engine oil. Learn the proper techniques and steps for changing the oil, and perform regular maintenance checks on your boat or marine vehicle. This will help ensure no excess oil is lost in the water where it can harm animals or water vegetation.

Did you like this? Share it:

Developing Green Motor Oil

Developing Green Motor Oil

When it comes to motor oil, there are hundreds of eco-friendly synthetic oils that work just as well as conventional mineral oil. In fact, one company, called Green Earth Technologies, makes synthetic motor oil called G-Oil, which is derived from saturated cow fat. This oil is superior when compared to all conventional mineral oils because it possesses increased lubricity and also is better for the environment. There are several other synthetic oils developed by various companies that serve the same purpose as mineral oils.

For example, the Evinrude XD100 oil, manufactured by Evinrude, is the top synthetic oil for outboard motors and marine engines. This oil trumps conventional mineral oil in all respects, containing the same additives for marine use and providing the additional benefits of synthetic oil. While most automobiles and vehicles are still dependent on gasoline, converting to synthetic motor oil for the engine is of great help to the environment.

Did you like this? Share it:

Why Use Hybrid Synthetic Outboard Oil?

Why Use Hybrid Synthetic Outboard Oil?

When it comes to outboard oil, there are three major categories: mineral oil, synthetic oil, and hybrid synthetic oil (a combination of mineral oil and synthetic oil). Mineral oil is the traditional motor oil that has been used for centuries in all kinds of engines as a lubricant. Synthetic oil became available in the late 20th century, and is overall superior to mineral oil, except in cost. Synthetic motor can cost double or even triple what the standard mineral oil costs. Hybrid synthetic oil is a happy medium between mineral oil and synthetic oil. Hybrid synthetic oil, like Evinrude XD50 oil, takes the benefits from synthetic oil (cleaner burning, increased lubricity, longer lasting), and also has the added benefit of costing much less than the standard synthetic oil.

While hybrid synthetic oil doesn’t have the same benefits as a full synthetic, it is still much better for the environment than mineral oil, and won’t break the bank either. Until synthetic oil is perfected, hybrid synthetic oil is the best option.

Did you like this? Share it: