Being Safe on PWC

My wife was nervous the first time my kids expressed an interest in personal watercraft. We know some kids who have seriously injured themselves going too fast on the water and losing control. Others have hurt themselves attempting stupid tricks.

We did finally consent to letting the kids’ use our PWC, but they had to prove they were responsible first. They had to demonstrate their knowledge of the machine and its maintenance, including demonstrating how to replace the Yamalube 2W oil. They also had to take a safety course at the marina and pass with a 100 percent. Finally, they had to sign contracts with me and their mother stating that any violations of our rules would result in a lifetime ban from using the PWC. No warnings, no strikes, one mistake and they’re cut off. Thus far my kids have obeyed the rules and stayed safe.

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Good Weather & Good Food

This weekend we had unseasonably warm weather. With a little urging from my wife and kids, I got the boat ready with some Yamalube 2M oil, trailered it and headed out to the lake for an afternoon of fun. While my wife and kids took the boat for a spin, I stayed on shore and rustled up some food.

I set up my charcoal grill, got a nice burn going, and went about making my famous hamburgers. I loathe frozen patties and refuse to eat them. My burgers are made with fresh ground beef, chopped onions, eggs, and spices. I shape the patties and then char them to perfection before serving them on a sesame bun. Good weather deserves good food!

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Yamalube Types

The Yamaha Motor Corp. produces a line of regular and synthetic oils under the Yamalube label. In recent years, the Yamalube 2 cycle oil types available include 2R, 2W, 2S and 2M. The Yamalube 2R oil is intended for use with motocross engines, while the 2W is intended for WaveRunners and other sporting boats.

ATVs, golf carts, snowmobiles, and motorcycles can all benefit from the use of Yamalube 2S oil. Yamalube 2M is particularly useful for two-stroke outboard boat motors. If you do not have a two-stroke engine, then I would still advise looking into other Yamaha engine oil for your needs as the brand is incredibly trustworthy.

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Trout Town USA

Ok, so the next place on my list of top trout fishing locations isn’t actually named Trout Town USA. Given all the attention it gets for its trout fishing, Roscoe, NY might as well be renamed. The rivers that run down through the Catskill Mountains are teeming with trout.

The Beaverkill and Willowemoc flow through town and are storied throughout angling history. Nearby East and West branches of the Delaware River also offer incredible brown and rainbow trout fishing. I typically go for dry fly-fishing in these areas, but I know a few people who like to take their outboards out lubed up with 2 stroke oil.

 

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Top Trout Fishing Towns: West Yellowstone, Montana

This week I’d like to focus on where to catch the most delicious trout. Number one on my list is West Yellowstone, Montana. The town is a unique hodge-podge of locals and thousands of tourists who come to see the famed Yellowstone National Park. As far as fishing goes, Firehole River, Gibbon River, and Slough Creek are simply incredible.

Though I can’t vouch for it firsthand, I’ve heard great things about Gallatin. (A fun piece of trivia: the film ‘A River Runs Through It’ was filmed in Gallatin). A half hour away is the spectacular Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. I’m licking my chops just thinking about the great trout that is caught there. Hopefully I can get there this summer with my boat and some Yamalube oil, and catch a few trout for myself.

 

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Lake St. Clair

It should come as no surprise that Michigan is a renowned fishing destination. After all, the state borders the great Lakes. Nestled between Lake Erie and Lake Huron is Lake St. Clair. In my opinion, Lake St. Clair is one of Michigan’s best kept secrets.

St. Clair boasts a fishery stock full of muskie, walleye, perch, crappie, and smallmouth bass. What is most incredible about the lake is that it’s only 11 feet deep on average. Muskies in this lake are frequently over 15 pounds – a rarity – and have been known to weigh over 30 pounds and measure 50 inches in length. If that doesn’t make you want to take your outboard motor with Yamalube 2W oil on an adventure to Lake St. Clair, then I don’t know what will.

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Channel Bass

Channel bass, also known as red drum, is a delectable fish that can weigh between 30 and 60 pounds. There have even been channel bass caught that have weighed in at over 80 pounds. Reeling one in is quite a feat, especially when you factor in how much of a fight they put up.

When I was living on the east coast, I got to experience red drum fishing firsthand in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. Nowadays, red drum fishing is primarily catch-and-release due to coastal restrictions along the North Carolina coast. Still, I would rate taking my outboard motor boat with Yamalube 2W oil and catching a red drum as one of my proudest fishing moments.

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Castaic Lake

Is there anything tastier than a fried up recently caught largemouth bass? Fortunately for me, I live just a few hours drive from Castaic Lake, California. The pristine lake is known for its excellent largemouth bass population.

I’m sure that all you readers are thinking ‘I know a much better lake for largemouth bass,’ but since it’s my blog, I’m going with Castaic Lake. Plus, I chose Castaic Lake based on the fact that no other lake in the country has boasted as many 20-plus pounders caught. I plan on taking my family down to the lake this spring; they can go swimming while I take the boat out, properly outfitted with Yamalube 2M oil, and try to catch a beauty.

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Tarpon of the North

Yesterday I wrote about tarpon fishing in Florida. Today I want to tell you about the tarpon of the North, also known as sheefish. Sheefish is a freshwater whitefish that as an adult can weigh as much as 55 pounds. It lives off of plankton and smaller fish.

The prime location to catch sheefish is Selawik Valley, Alaska. Like many places in the Alaskan wild, you will absolutely need a guide through the wilderness. Sheefish can be caught year round, although summer is the best season while the sheefish go through their feeding. I haven’t been that far up north myself, but I hope to someday take my Yamalube 2M taking outboard motor boat up there for a few days of fishing.

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Essential Yamaha Outboard Tools

To keep your Yamaha outboard running smoothly, there are several essential tools you should have in your shed. Take, for instance, a multimeter. The small, handheld tool is used to check electrical connections. It will help identify where problems stem from.

Stabilizer, conditioner, and battery protector are also important items to have in your possession, particularly if you use your outboard in extreme climates. Stabilizer and conditioner protect against ethanol damage, as well as fuel degradation. The battery protector does exactly what its name implies. Though not strictly a tool, responsible boat owners should always have extra lubricant, like Yamalube 2M oil, on their shelves.

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Installing a Water Pump, Part II

Once you’ve drained any remaining water from the hoses, you will want to remove all the bolts that hold the water pump to the block, and then carefully remove the pump. Scrape the old gasket off the engine block.

Find your new gasket and gasket sealer. Apply the gasket sealer to one side of the new gasket, then align the holes of the gasket with the water pump, and finally press the new gasket against the pump. Seal the exposed side with more gasket sealer. Put the new water pump into place, replace and hand-tighten the bolts. You can re-use and re-install the old drive belt pulleys and old hoses on the new water pump (provided neither is damaged). Don’t forget to check to see if the Yamalube 2M needs topping off!

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The River of No Return

“River of No Return” – has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? In truth, the river is formally known as the Salmon River and it is located in Idaho. It got its ominous sounding nickname because the river’s current was so strong that boats could travel down river, but not back up.

The River of No Return also happens to be one of the best places for salmon fishing in the northwestern United States. Historically, 45 percent of steelhead, spring and summer Chinook salmon found in the originate in the Salmon River. I’ve fished there a few times myself with great success. While ordering your Yamalube 2 cycle oil online, you may also want to browse for information on fishing the River of No Return.

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