Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 11

What to Do with Used Oil

Over 180 million gallons of motor oil are disposed of illegally each year. This number should be zero, but many people do not know the rules of what to do with used oil. Simply put, motor oil should always be recycled and never go into land fills or down the storm drain.

As previously stated, motor oil is 100 percent recyclable. When you go to replace your oil with some from your store of bulk outboard motor oil, make sure to save the old oil. You can either drop it off at an oil change center or auto parts store; they’ll add it to their own collection of used oil and drop it off at the proper recycling center. You can also call your local waste hauler and find out if they offer curbside collection – then you don’t even have to leave your own driveway!

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Storing Bulk Oil

We previously posted about the savings associated with purchasing motor oil in bulk, but what do you do once you have a 50 gallon barrel of oil? Obviously, you’re not going to use the motor oil all at once, so you need to properly store it. A shed or sheltered facility that is cool and free from moisture is an ideal storage spot.

Oil drums can leak, so you may want to store your bulk oil in an oil tank. These tanks tend to be more durable. Still, leaks can occur so check your oil tanks regularly for leaks. Clean up all spills immediately and replace or patch up leaking containers.

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Maintaining a Fleet

Do you own a fleet of small fishing boats? Or perhaps a fleet of boats for day cruises? Then you need to be smart with your money to keep your business afloat in these difficult financial times.

One of the ways you can save money is by purchasing bulk motor oil. Buying in bulk is far cheaper than purchasing oil as you go along. Also, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for a lower cost; you can still by your preferred brand of motor oil.

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Getting the Best Mileage, Part II

Continuing from yesterday’s post, here are a few more handy tips for getting the best mileage on the water. This may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure you use your GPS device. Backtracking or taking the “scenic route” wastes a lot of fuel, particularly if you have a definite destination.

Second, know your trim! Many boaters simply angle their outboard motor all the way down, but you can raise your motor a bit and without touching the throttle. You’ll reach and maintain cruising speed while using less fuel. Finally – and I can’t harp on this enough – use the proper boat motor oil. An improperly lubricated engine is just going to cause major financial headaches further down the road.

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Getting the Best Mileage, Part I

Let’s face it: boating is an expensive hobby and rising fuel costs don’t help. Here are a few tips to keep more cash in your pocket by getting the best mileage. Before you start any new routines, take an accurate gauge of how much fuel you use, specifically gallons per hour. Some boats come with a gauge that will tell you this amount, but if not you can keep track by calculating miles traveled divided by fuel used (this number may not be as accurate, but it gives you a starting point).

Next you will want to inspect all of your plugs. If they’re full of gunk, clean them. If they’re cracked or leaking, replace them. This will save you money in the long run. You also don’t want to skimp on engine oil; go for the best outboard motor oil you can find at a discount, as engine problems tend to be the most expensive boat repairs you can be plagued with.

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Choosing Marine Diesel Engine Oil

Diesel marine engines require special marine grade oil. To avoid low-quality oils, look only at marine diesel engine oils tested and certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). The NMMA currently certifies three types of marine grade engine oil: TC-W3, FC-W, and FC-W(CAT).

TC-W3, like Amalie oil, is typically used for two-stroke engines. FC-W is used for four-stroke engines, and FC-W(CAT) is used for four-stroke engines that have an exhaust treatment catalyst system. Synthetic oils tend to be more expensive than partial synthetic oil, but offer better protection, so look into your budget to see what you can afford.

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Mixing 2 Cycle Oil

Many boat owners, particularly new boat owners, have questions about how to properly mix 2 cycle oil with gasoline. It is important to get the right ratio of gasoline to oil as too much oil can cause a fire, but too little oil won’t provide adequate engine lubrication. Start by dispensing the gasoline you will be adding to the tank into an approved container. Note down the quantity in the container.

Next, determine the ounces of fuel in your tank by multiplying the number of gallons by 64. Take the number of ounces and divide by 50, as the ratio for gasoline to oil is 50:1. The final number of that equation will be the number of ounces of 2 cycle oil you will need to add to the gasoline. Add the oil into the gasoline container, mix, and then add to your boat’s fuel tank.

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Sydney International Boat Show

The 44th Sydney International Boat Show is set to begin on the 28th. If you happen to be down under this is a show you do not want to miss! There will be over 280 exhibitors, including the leading manufacturers in the industry.

In addition to the boats on display there will be various activities and authors on hand. Every day at noon there will be a boating safety class and following at two there will be a workshop on preparing yachts for long journeys. Ian Thomson, who holds the record for solo circumnavigating Australia, will sign copies of his book ‘Dare to Dream.’ If you do sail away with a new boat, be sure to purchase Yamalube 2-M oil.

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Compare/Contrast: Two Cycle Oil and Motor Oil

Not all motor oil is created alike. In fact, different motor oil is required for different engines. Today we will look at the difference between two cycle oil and motor oil.

Two cycle oil, like the Yamalube 2 cycle oil you might currently use, is needed, not surprisingly, for two stroke engines. These particular engines do not have a lubrication system so two cycle oil is mixed with gasoline to lubricate the engine while the fuel is used. Motor oil is used in four stroke engines and is typically kept in a separate reservoir from the gasoline. For lubrication, an oil pump transfers the oil to the engine.

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Changing Oil on a Yamaha 225 hp

What’s great about the Yamaha 225 hp four-stroke is that you only have to change the oil in the gear case. The oil injection system mixes the oil and gasoline precisely, so you don’t have to worry about getting the right ratio. The only drawback to the 225 hp is that you have to tilt the motor to drain the oil from the front rather than the bottom like most motors. Still, the process is not too difficult so long as you know what you’re doing and have Yamaha outboard oil on hand.

Start by tilting the motor up so the oil drain plug is the lowest point. Place a drain pan under the drain plug. Next, you will need to remove the nut and bolt holding the cooling water inlet covers, the magnetized drain plug, and the oil level plug. Let the oil drain out and then tilt the motor down and replace the oil. Place all of the covers and parts back on and you’ll be good to go!

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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.

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Family Style Pasta and Salmon

This pasta and salmon dish is perfect for serving family-style, and only takes 30 minutes to prepare. You will need: 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, ¼ cup minced fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, salt and pepper, 1 pound salmon fillet, 1 pound of corkscrew pasta, 10 ounces of spinach, ½ cup sour cream, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Start by heating your broiler. While that is going on, crush the fennel seeds, place them in a bowl, and then mix in the parsley, brown sugar, ¾ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Take the spice mixture and press it into the flesh side of the salmon.

Take the coated salmon and broil it, skin side down, for 8 minutes. When it’s been cooked through, flake the fish with a fork. Mix together the sour cream, ½ teaspoon salt, lemon juice, and a little bit of pasta water (because you have been cooking your pasta this whole time, right?). Bring all the components together on a plate: pasta on the bottom, then the salmon, and then the sour cream mixture drizzled on top. Whenever I take the boat out to go salmon fishing, I make sure the engine is properly lubricated with Evinrude oil.

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