Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 31

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Bassmasters Prefer Mercury Engines

Bassmasters Prefer Mercury Engines

Recently, Mercury Marine congratulated Skeet Reese for winning the 39th annual Bassmaster Classic. Reese was named the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, but believes that winning the Bassmaster Classic was his greatest accomplishment. Reese attributes much of his success to his Mercury OptiMax 250 Pro XS engine, which combined with Mercury engine oil, performed flawlessly throughout the event. In a direct statement, Reese said “My engine is everything-it’s one of the tools we can’t fish without. The abuse my Mercury took this week-like hitting stumps and sucking up mud from the river bottom-proved just how tough it was”. Reese noted that the largest fish come out of the muddy water, and that it’s important to have an engine that can endure those conditions. But with his Mercury OptiMax, Reese had no trouble maneuvering through the water and taking the tournament.

In addition to Reese, two of the other most prominent fisherman in the tournament use the Mercury OptiMax 250 Pro XS engines combined with the finest mercury engine oil. For all serious bass fishermen, Mercury engines are the ones to rely on to perform in poor conditions and through a lot of abuse.

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Dangers of Oil Pollution

Dangers of Oil Pollution

Whether it’s mineral based or synthetic, oil is used as a lubricant in almost all engines. But oil is capable of causing significant damage to the environment. In fact, even a few drops of oil can contaminate enough water to supply the average person for an entire year. It’s most important for boat owners to be extra careful with their outboard motors and marine engines. When even a little bit of oil escapes into the water, it becomes a danger for humans and the environment. Marine creatures are quite sensitive to oil, and should even a small amount of boat motor oil escape into the water, it can be fatal to various organisms that live near the surface.

Boat owners need to check their outboard motors or marine engines on a regular basis for leaks, and also ensure that the proper safety precautions are being observed. In addition to the impact on the environment, an oil leak can result in quite a hefty fine for the boat owner, even if the leak was unbeknownst. Ensuring boat motor oil is secure saves the environment and can save a lot of money.

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The Purpose of Marine Engine Oil

The Purpose of Marine Engine Oil

While most all boat owners recognize that oil serves some purpose and must be changed now and then or pre-mixed into the gasoline, some don’t know what oil does inside the actual marine engine. The oil’s job is to stop all the metal surfaces in the engine from grinding together and becoming damaged from friction. Most people recognize that oil serves as a lubricant, but oil also needs to hold in suspension the byproducts of combustion like silica and acid. Oil cleans the engine of these chemicals, because otherwise build-ups would occur and wear down the engine at a remarkable pace.

Oil needs to lubricate and clean the engine under tremendous conditions of heat and pressure. Several engine oils, like outboard motor oil, contain special additives that help the engine work better under specific conditions. For example, outboard motor oil contains an additive to reduce condensation in the engine. For this reason, it’s important to use premium outboard motor oil in outboard engines.

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The Best Bass Lures

The Best Bass Lures

Let’s face it, when it comes to lures, almost all bass fishermen have a different opinion on what works best. But amongst several bass fishermen, the buzz frog is regarded as one of the best lures for a multitude of circumstances. Buzz frogs are imitation frogs with a solid body and a pair of extending rear legs. Bass just can’t resist the temptation of a buzz frog that creates a lot of noise and commotion in the water with its swimming legs. The bass have an instinct to strike the moving frog, and it’s appealing to that natural instinct that makes this lure one of the best. Buzz frogs are also excellent lures regardless of the weather conditions; whether it’s sunny, overcast, or a downpour, bass love to strike at this lure.

No bass fisherman would be caught without their trusty boat, and all bass fishermen know that Yamaha makes the best outboard motors for smaller craft. The professionals also recommend keeping a supply of outboard oil, gasoline, and repair tools on the boat at all times. No one wants to be caught stranded in the middle of a lake!

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