Horsepower: Don’t Overdo It

Horsepower: Don't Overdo It The lower-horsepower outboards highlighted yesterday are perfectly suitable for inflatables, canoes and other small craft, but what about those who want to step up their performance? Mid-range engines are tailor-made for fishermen and other boaters who appreciate the capability of traveling several miles at a time. Outboard motors in the 20 to 35 hp range fit the bill, providing crucial mobility for light fiberglass vessels and sailboats.

In general, you should select your ideal horsepower based on a boat’s weight and a boat owner’s desired level of mobility. It might take a 90 hp engine just to get a large pontoon or deck boat to plane. A sailboat won’t require a motor this large, however. Larger engines that generate excess horsepower can actually weigh down and impede the progress of a small boat.

Once you’ve selected an outboard motor with the proper size and power, it’s important to keep the engine well-tuned. By purchasing bulk motor oil, you can ensure that you’ll always have easy access to lubricant when it’s time to perform engine maintenance. This in turn will extend the life of your motor and allow you to enjoy many more summers out on the lake.

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Personal Watercraft Safety

WaveRunners and other personal water craft promise hours of enjoyment on the open water – whether you’re taking a weekend trip to the lake or visiting friends at their seaside getaway. Just like all waterborne vessels, WaveRunners should be operated in a safe, responsible manner. As long as you keep a few basic safety tips in mind, you’re virtually guaranteed a carefree marine experience.

First and foremost, wear a life preserver. People who forgo life jackets out of pride are only doing themselves a disservice. Most states mandate life preservers, and the choice is a no-brainer anyway. Keep your vision from becoming obscured by donning a pair of goggles. You may also prefer to wear gloves, thereby ensuring a solid grip on your craft’s movements.

When other watercraft or swimmers are nearby, you should maintain at least 100 feet of distance. The worst WaveRunner accidents are undoubtedly head-on collisions.
Be sure to keep your personal water craft topped off with oil – that way the engine won’t overheat while you’re out tearing up the waves. High-quality 2-cycle bulk oil can keep your engine running smoothly all summer long.

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Don’t Overlook the Water Pump

Don't Overlook the Water Pump As is the case with any machinery, outboard motors require occasional basic maintenance to run properly. Rather than waiting for something to go irreparably wrong, take a proactive approach to motor maintenance by making simple engine observations. Get to know the sound of your well-oiled outboard motor, and learn to recognize any deviations from that norm.

A functioning water pump is particularly important, as it draws water out of the engine and acts as a cooling agent. Without a water pump most 2-cycle engines would overheat in no time. To replace an ailing water pump, begin by removing the bolts from the bottom portion of the motor. Use an engine vice to securely mount the lower engine housing, making sure that any electrical wiring between the housings is disconnected.

Remove the water pump housing, and then replace the impeller. Beneath the impeller you’ll find three gasket seals; remove them. Use some of your supply of bulk outboard motor oil to lube the gaskets before slipping them back into place. Put the housing back into place, and then reconnect the wiring. You’ve just increased the lifespan of your outboard motor.

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Installing an Outboard Motor

Yesterday, we took a look at a wide range of outboard motors and provided tips on how to select the proper amount of horsepower for your boat. Once this process is complete, many DIY-type boat owners will want to perform the installation. Before installing the motor and leaving for your first test run, make sure you’re stocked up on bulk motor oil.

Double-check with your boat manufacturer to be sure that you have the right size of outboard motor. Don’t forget to factor in your towing needs: Will you be tubing or water skiing anytime soon? If so, you’ll require some extra horsepower.

Next, choose motor accessories to match the specifications of your boat. If you have cable steering or hydraulic lift, the burden of motor installation is much lighter to bear. Begin the physical part of the installation by measuring your craft’s transom (basically the height of the stern). Fit the motor so that the propeller reaches below the water line, but not low enough to cause drag.

Once the motor is positioned correctly, affix it to the top of the transom by tightening the clamps. Finally, attach a safety cable to the motor. This will keep your motor from sinking if it’s detached by a submerged rock or other debris. Now you’re ready to take your boat out on the open water and enjoy the warm summer breeze.

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Ethanol and Two Cycle Outboards Don’t Mix

Because of EPA regulations, all gasoline must now contain 10% ethanol. While automobiles with their larger engines aren’t affected, outboard owners are finding that the new gasoline-ethanol mixture is causing damage to their smaller outboard engines. The fact is, the smaller two cycle outboards aren’t built to run on an ethanol based fuel, and can start to develop problems starting over time. For outboard owners, there are a few preventative steps that can help preserve the condition of their outboards. First, it’s important to install a water/fuel separating filter, and also use 10-micron cartridges. This will filter out the water and impurities better. It’s also a good idea to add the manufacturer recommended amount of fuel stabilizer whenever filling up. Make sure to have the proper fuel to two cycle outboard oil mixture in the tank as well, as an incorrect mixture can serve as a catalyst for more problems.

While it’s unlikely the government will reverse its stance on ethanol based fuel, outboard manufacturers are working on solutions to fix the problems that many owners are having.

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Choosing the Right Brand of Outboard Motor Oil

When it comes to outboard motor oil, not all brands are created equal. Provided the outboard motor oil is TC-W3 certified, the difference between Brand A and Brand B is most often the special additives which are unique to each brand. Most engine manufacturers have their own exclusive brand of outboard motor oil, which contains those additives that work best with their engine. However, a lot of the additives are the same. For example, most if not all outboard motor oil contains an additive that reduces and prevents water condensation in the fuel tank. If a boat owner were to use standard automotive oil in their outboard, it would work fine for a short time, but then the condensation in the fuel tank would start to contaminate the fuel, and the engine would begin to have trouble starting.

It’s important to choose the right outboard motor oil for the engine. For those who want to be safe, just purchase the manufacturer brand, or a brand recommended by the manufacturer. However, using a brand not recommended by the manufacturer won’t affect the manufacturer warranty in most cases, unless that brand is not TC-W3 certified. It’s also a good idea to purchase bulk outboard motor oil from the preferred brand, as this can save a lot on expenses over time.

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Bulk Oil Storage

When it comes to storing oil in drums or in oil tanks, it’s important to be aware of a few precautions. First, ensure that the drum or oil tank is sealed at all times, as the oil can become contaminated. Make sure the bulk oil is stored in a cool place that will be free from moisture and condensation. For those who often purchase bulk oil, it’s better to store the oil in an oil tank than keep it in drums. Oil drums are known to leak, and are more vulnerable to spills. If an oil spill should occur, it’s important to clean it up as soon as possible. If even a small amount of oil washes into the sewer or permeates into the ground, it can have serious effects on the water. Even a few drops of oil can contaminate several gallons of fresh water, and it also makes said water near impossible to filter back into fresh water.For owners of all different kinds of engines, purchasing oil in bulk makes a lot of sense.

For owners who use the same engine for a significant period of time and need to purchase oil often, it’s possible to cut costs when purchasing bulk oil.

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Find the Right Gasoline/Oil Mixture

For all the different 2 cycle engines that require a gasoline/oil mixture as opposed to having direct injection, utilizing the correct ratio of gasoline and oil can improve fuel economy and performance. While some 2 cycle engines recommend the standard gasoline/oil mixture of 32:1, it’s a better idea to check the manual before committing to a specific ratio. Motorcycles, for example, use 32:1, but some models also use 40:1 or 50:1 mixtures. Most 2 cycle engines recommend a gasoline/oil mixture somewhere in the range of 16:1 to 80:1, though this too can differ. Experts who have conducted research on 2 cycle engines and 2 cycle oil tend to agree that it’s better to err on the side of caution, and use too much oil. Too little oil can result in the engine seizing up and cause serious damage to the internal components.

It’s also important to use the manufacturer recommended brand of 2 cycle oil in the engine. It’s possible to use most brands of 2 cycle oil in a 2 cycle engine, but for the best performance and to reduce the wear on the engine, more specific formulations of 2 cycle oil can provide better results.

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Bulk Oil Helps Environment

At the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory, the scientists installed two huge 500 gallon oil storage tanks in order to cut costs and help the environment. The scientists at the Department of Energy conduct tests on automobiles to develop new energy technologies. Having two enormous bulk motor oil tanks instead of keeping the oil in drums helps reduce the potential for oil spills. In addition, the lab will no longer incur the fees associated with disposing of used oil drums, and the scientists also now have the option to purchase re-refined motor oil which costs less and reduces the demand for oil production.

Overall, it’s a win-win situation for the scientists and the environment. The two tanks contain two different formulations of motor oil, one for standard gasoline, and one for diesel motor oil. Purchasing bulk motor oil, whether a lab full of scientists or an average person, can cut costs and also help the environment.

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Finding Bulk Oil

To find a bulk oil supplier you will probably need to check around. Let’s say you are in a rural town, for instance. This could be a good area for suppliers, but that being said, it could also mean that your options are limited. This is why having access to online stores is so imperative.

Indeed it pays to shop around when looking for a jobber of bulk oil and it further makes sense to use a small supplier as they may end up referring business to you, because they know you will be using their products. So think on this, as you supplier is part of your business team, all the way around it. They know it and you should know it too.

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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

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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bulk oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 24