Motor Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 40

Boat Trailers and Launching: Part One

Seasoned boaters will undoubtedly put a considerable amount of time and effort into the upkeep of their craft. From changing the outboard motor oil to flushing the engine and cleaning the hull, most of the maintenance is centered on maximizing performance on the water. Many boat owners, however, store their boat in their driveway or a storage unit, meaning they have to launch the watercraft every time they want to use it. And while this is surely an inconvenience and many people neglect to learn the proper procedures, keeping your boat out of the water does have its advantages.

First, your boat will stay in better condition—especially if you clean it thoroughly on a regular basis. You also don’t have to worry about the myriad threats to your craft, including adverse weather conditions and careless boaters. Of course, constantly transporting your boat can be a headache, particularly if you don’t have the proper trailer or know how to launch the boat properly. Over the next few days, we will be covering some of the basics for purchasing and hauling a trailer and launching your boat.

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Buying a Boat: Part Four

Once you have thoroughly inspected everything—from the outboard motor oil to the hull—it is time to determine a fair price. The BUC and NADA books are reliable resources for pricing information but it is still a good idea to consult some local marine experts for a second or third opinion. Now that you’ve picked out the boat you want to purchase and have determined a target price, it’s up to you to close the deal.

Before we conclude our series on purchasing a watercraft, I want to emphasize the necessity of looking long and hard before you leap. Unlike a car, there are few practical reasons why the average consumer needs a boat—it is simply a source of entertainment. And between finance payments, insurance, registration, repairs, etc, the monthly costs are going to be considerable.

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Buying a Boat: Part One

Before you take the plunge and shell out thousands of dollars on a new seafaring vessel, it is important to do your due diligence to determine what type of boat you want, how much you can afford, and if purchasing a boat is really a step you want to take. If you will only be able to use the boat on the occasional weekend during the summer, the money and time needed may not be warranted.

Just like an automobile, the initial investment you put into a boat is just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to your boat payments, you also have to worry about insurance, registration, a trailer, outboard motor oil and a litany of other peripheral expenses. Of course, a boat is an investment, and if you use your boat regularly, these expenditures will indubitably be put to good use. For those who are steadfast in their conviction to purchase a boat, we will be highlighting some of the factors to consider throughout the week.

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Outboard Motor Maintenance: Part Three

Now that the engine has been flushed, you can turn off the engine and turn your attention to the fuel aspect of engine maintenance. Never use fuel that is over two months old, which means you must refrain from using the same fuel from last season. Start by inspecting the fuel lines and primer bulb for cracks and other signs of wear. Ensure all of the fuel line fittings are secure and there is no rust on the fuel tanks or the clamps.

Open the engine cover and check to see if there is any leakage. Lubricate all of the moving parts in the engine, including the shift and carb valves. And if your have a four-stroke engine, don’t forget to change your Yamalube 2S oil.

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Outboard Motor Maintenance: Part One

Changing your outboard motor oil and coolant is crucial to ensuring the longevity of your motor, but it isn’t enough. Without routine maintenance, your outboard motor will begin to corrode. While taking the cover off the motor may be intimidating, basic maintenance of an outboard motor is simple for virtually anyone with a set of tools. However, if you aren’t a mechanic, it is wise to bring the boat in periodically to have the compression, pressure, water pump and other esoteric systems tested.

Once you have taken the boat in for inspection, most of the maintenance will only take a few minutes. First, flush the engine after every outing, especially if you are in salt water. You only need to flush the engine for 10-15 minutes, but this will successfully rid the system of any sand, dirt or debris that may have been sucked up.

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What is Your Boat’s Fuel Economy?

Fuel economy is a determining factor in virtually every automobile purchase, but many people fail to consider this when purchasing a boat. Since the water obviously provides more resistance than the air, boats are less efficient at using fuel than other conveyances; only 13-14 percent of the energy the engine generates is used to power the prop—the rest is lost through heat, vibrations and friction. Most diesel engines will use about 1 gallon of fuel per hour for every 18hp used. Four-stroke inboard engines our slightly less fuel efficient, using 1 gallon per hour for every 10hp used.

Most of our readers won’t like to hear this, but two-stroke outboard motors tend to get the worst fuel economy. There are several variables for two-stroke engines—such as the ratio of fuel to outboard motor oil—so there isn’t a standardized calculation to determine economy.

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Marine Spring Cleaning: Part One

Last week we covered some of the most crucial talking points of boating safety on the water, and this week we’ll be going over some of the most important system checks before leaving the dock this season. We’ll cover the basics like changing your outboard motor oil as well as tips for basic maintenance procedures that can extend the life of your craft.

Begin by inspecting the hull and applying a coat of wax, which will protect the exterior throughout the season. When going over the hull, don’t neglect to check the rub rails, swim platform and the rudder. Also be sure to clean the windows and the metal and wood furnishings. The ground tackle, winches and other miscellaneous fittings and safety equipment should all be examined as well. Now that the exterior is done, tomorrow we will begin to examine the engine and electrical systems.

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Boating Safety: Part Four

You’re sitting at the dock, refilling your outboard motor oil, when another vessel hits you from the rear, warping your propeller and breaking off a piece of the dock: Do you know what to do? The law has specific guidelines regarding the proper protocol for reporting a boating accident, but less than 10 percent of all non-fatal accidents are ever reported to the authorities. Just as with car accidents, it is important to contact a local authority if you are ever in a boating accident. Laws vary by state, but most require you to report an accident if there is a death, serious injury or damage in excess of $2,000.

When required, you must submit a formal written report of the accident within 48 hours if someone is killed or injured or 10 days if there is only property damage. In some states, the requirements for reporting are more stringent. Contact the Coast Guard or your local boating authority to learn more about the specific laws in your state and find out how to file a formal accident report.

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Boating Safety: Part Three

As most people know, a life jacket is the most crucial piece of safety equipment on your boat. Before you leave the dock, be sure that you have a life jacket for every person on board and that it fits correctly. Although many states don’t require adults to wear a life jacket, it’s always smart to err on the side of safety.

In addition to a life jacket, every boater should have a supply of spare parts and tools. This cache should include a basic tools kit and miscellaneous parts for performing routine maintenance on the water, if need be. Always keep an extra supply of gasoline and two cycle outboard oil on hand as well. Even if you never have a need for it, chances are you will eventually encounter an unprepared boater who will appreciate your foresight.

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Boating Safety: Part One

Before being issued a driver’s license, every teen undergoes comprehensive classroom training and is required to spend hours behind the wheel. And while boats are just as dangerous as cars—if not more so—many states have lenient laws for boating licenses, or don’t require them at all. When you are on the water, it is crucial to constantly be aware of other boaters and ensure you are doing your utmost to stay out of harm’s way.

Many boat owners can change their outboard motor oil and launch their boat with ease but are unaware of the basic rules and principles of proper boating. Knowing basics such as who has the right away and what emergency equipment to have on board can help you avoid catastrophe on the water. Over the next few days we will be covering some of the main points of safety on the water, touching on specific subjects as well, including driving while pulling skiers and wakeboarders.

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Boat Engine Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Part Four

Many people assume that as long as they add coolant to their system they are doing something beneficial for their boat, which is certainly not the case. Before adding coolant to your system, you must premix it and ensure that it has the proper ratio of water to fluid. Adding too much coolant to your engine can cause a sticky mess in the cooling system, while too little coolant has obvious ramifications.

The other main fluid to change regularly is the outboard motor oil, which will begin to develop carbon buildups. When this happens, the carbon that is suspended in the oil is transferred throughout the entire engine. A good rule of thumb is to change your oil every 100 hours, although some boaters opt to do so more frequently. Tomorrow we will continue outlining the oil changing process and conclude our series on engine maintenance.

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Boat Engine Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Part One

Whether you take your boat out everyday or just on the occasional three-day weekend, all watercrafts require a substantial commitment of time and money. Since any boat is going to be a sizeable investment, it makes sense to put in the effort to keep your boat in peak condition. Of course, you will want to change the outboard motor oil regularly and keep the hull clean, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. Over the next several days, we will be going over a variety of engine maintenance procedures to help your ensure that your boat stays afloat and you make the most of your time on the open water.

Obviously, boats are constantly exposed to water, and this is one of the main culprits when it comes to engine damage. The risks associated with water are two-fold. First, water is a solvent, which means that it will dissolve many materials and facilitates corrosion. Water also naturally harbors growth, which is a serious concern for the wood, plastic and metal that is constantly in contact with the water. Now that we know what the enemy is, tomorrow we will formulate the plan of attack.

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