Pig War

Did you know that the U.S. once had a stand-off with Great Britain over a pig? That’s stretching the truth a little bit, but the only casualty of the Pig War was a pig. Essentially, there was a longstanding border dispute between the U.S. and British Canada regarding the San Juan Islands. Obviously each side sought control over the archipelago.

The U.S. favored the western border of the Haro Strait while the British favored the eastern Rosario Strait. The conflict was not resolved until a pig wandered over to the American side of the island and ate the potatoes of a farmer. The farmer retaliated and killed the pig. The British authorities tried to get involved and arrest the American, but the American settlers called in for back up. Eventually, an international arbiter was called in and ultimately sided with the U.S. Think about that next time you’re loading you boat up with amalie oil to go boating around the San Juan Islands!

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Spring Checklist Item 4

Our last tip of the week is a doozy, and something no one should ever forget to do whenever heading out on the water. Safety is of primary importance, both for you and your friends and loved ones but also for other boaters. It goes without saying that you should be sure to have functional life jackets for all potential passengers. Make sure they’re in good condition and functioning properly.

You also need to make sure everyone has the correct size, as this can be critical to the proper functioning of a life jacket. And don’t forget to make sure all onboard fire extinguishers have been properly checked and serviced and stored in the proper places. You can also take advantage of free safety inspections offered by the US Coast Guard.

And don’t forget to try Evinrude XD100 oil for your 2-cycle engine.

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Fuel Economy Tip 5

The fifth installment of our fuel economy tips is something a lot of people simply don’t think about enough. Proper trimming ensures that water resistance is minimized in all circumstances. Although maintaining proper trim can sometimes be complicated, especially under certain water or weather conditions, it remains a critical aspect of maximizing your motor’s fuel efficiency.

Needlessly moving water through your props is a sure-fire way to cut down on fuel efficiency. When you’re moving water for no apparent reason, you’re also burning excess fuel for no apparent reason. Getting up on plane quickly and maintaining your optimum cruising speed is critical to proper trimming. In addition , you can maximize your efforts by ensuring that the weight on your boat is evenly distributed. You can also try Evinrude XD50 oil in your two-cycle outboard motor to increase fuel efficiency.

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Fuel Economy Tip 3

Our third fuel efficiency tip is something many avid boaters forget about. Propeller choice, maintenance and care are as critical to fuel efficiency as anything else and therefore shouldn’t be ignored when preparing for your upcoming boating season. Choose a propeller that allows your boat to perform at the higher end of the manufacturer’s specifications for wide-open throttle rpm. Of course, you’ll want to make sure this is when you’re carrying your standard amount of gear for an outing in the boat.

Also, be sure to check for nicked and dinged blades before heading out on the water. These cut down on the propeller’s efficiency and will have very negative effects on your overall fuel economy. Being careful while out on the water and regularly inspecting your props will help you save money by ensuring your props are operating at optimum efficiency. A little Evinrude outboard oil also couldn’t hurt and is proven to help maintain prop efficiency. Don’t skimp out on this, it’s as important as anything else and could make a world of difference next time you fork over a wad of cash for a little gas.

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Basic Outboard Maintenance: Part Two

Immediately following every outing you should run through a short checklist to ensure your motor wasn’t damaged and will be ready for your next outing. The first line of business is to flush the engine. For this you’ll need a set of rabbit ears, which is a pair of rubber hoses connected by a metal clamp. The apparatus slips on to the lower unit where you can attach the garden hose.

When you’re flushing the engine, ensure that the water flowing through the system isn’t hot. If the water is hot or the flow is weak, it’s an indication that some debris is blocking the system. You can easily remove the blockage by inserting a small piece of wire into the flow tube. Once the engine has been flushed, spray down everything with some lubricant. Finish by topping off your tank with a mixture of fuel and Evinrude XD100.

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