October, 2009 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

Why Does Propeller Pitch Matter?

propllars1Yesterday we discussed the virtues of purchasing the proper propeller for one’s small boat. I received some correspondence from some longtime readers requesting specifics. The most common questions had to do with the “pitch” of the propeller and what that might mean for engine efficiency. So, thanks to popular demand, let’s take a closer look at that undervalued part that cuts through the water with authority.

Pitch refers to the distance a propeller moves forward with each rotation. This measurement is extremely important for boaters who want to achieve maximum RPM at full throttle with a normal load inside the boat. If a boat is overpropped, or has too much pitch, it will be slow to get on plane and it won’t respond immediately to the throttle. In other words, such a boat will act as a sluggard until a more suitable propeller is attached.

If the boat is underpropped, or doesn’t have enough pitch, it will effortlessly exceed the manufacturer’s recommended RPM, and it will hop along in the water. Find a happy medium where the given pitch of a propeller corresponds to recommended RPM, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving engine efficiency and saving a pretty penny. Try asking a boat dealer if you can water-test a few different props before buying. Don’t let your latest fixation on propellers distract you from mandatory maintenance duties, however. Some fresh 2 cycle oil always does a motor good.

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Pick the Propeller That’s Right for You

propIf fuel efficiency and thrift are important to you – and let’s face it, most small boat owners are a bit hard up for cash these days – consider thinking outside the box. We’ve sung the virtues of fuel flow meters, marine GPS units and routine maintenance habits, all of which will help you save on fuel and maximize your fishing or cruising experience. Still, these are far from the only serious steps a money-savvy boat owner can take to cut down on costs. For instance, make sure you choose a two cycle oil that meets all EPA environmental regulations. Then focus your attention on picking a propeller.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no one propeller that’s guaranteed to be right for every situation. Boaters should tailor their prop choice according to their habits and needs. The blade shape, diameter and pitch are all common variables. It’s not unusual for boaters to overload their crafts with passengers, fuel and gear – and the weight of the boat can make all the difference in terms of fuel efficiency.

Make a list of the amount of passengers, gear, coolers and other essentials you might take onboard your boat. Present this list to your boat dealer and ask him or her to find a suitable prop. You can then test your propeller by installing it and testing it out under loaded conditions. Bring the boat up to full throttle and watch to see if it reaches maximum RPM. If not, you may need a different prop.

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For Beginners, Keep it Simple

yamalube-2w-oilWith a vast array of products available for your boat and WaveRunner, it can be difficult to decide what products are right for you. If you are unfamiliar with purchasing oil and other products, stick with manufacturer and name brands until you are more familiar with product specifications. Products, such as Yamalube 2w oil, are specifically designed by the manufacturer for use in their machines.

These name brand products will ensure that you are getting the proper features in oil and other products to meet your needs. Once you become more familiar with the specific needs of your vehicle, you can try out other product lines. The manufacturer’s version, however, is a good starting point for the novice.

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Save Big with Routine Maintenance

outboard-oilYesterday’s post about fuel flow meters got me thinking about other simple ways for boaters to save money in this uncertain economic client. If you can’t afford upgrade your boat’s meter and instrument panel at this time, there’s no need to despair. With a bit of discipline and ingenuity, you can help ensure that your marine vessel will never let you down in a pinch.

All boat manufacturers provide a recommended schedule of maintenance. This schedule is intended to give boaters all the information they need to keep the craft running at peak performance. Not surprisingly, the better you do at keeping up with routine maintenance, the less money you’ll have to pay for repairs down the line. Maintaining the engine should be made a top priority; if you neglect a marine motor you’ll end up spending more for outboard oil.

As is the case with automotive engines, a marine engine becomes practically useless if it’s allowed to overheat. Since outboards pull in water from the lake or river through an impeller pump, you’ll need to check this system and replace its components at regular intervals. Don’t skimp on crank case lubricants either as they keep the internal parts of the system running smoothly.

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Can a Fuel Flow Meter Save You Money?

fuel-flowEarlier this week, we provided a few simple suggestions to aid boat owners in a financial pickle. It’s amazing to consider how much money the average boater could save by just cutting down slightly on fuel costs. Recognizing that not everyone has the resources or the patience to conduct thorough tests to find a boat’s “sweet spot,” it’s time to highlight a technological innovation that does the job for you.

Just as most modern cars are equipped with a meter that tells the driver how many miles’ worth of fuel is left in the tank, a fuel flow meter can prove helpful in boats. As its name suggests, the meter measures the flow of fuel from the tank to the marine engine itself. That measurement shows up on the instrument panel in terms of gallons per hour. From there, the meter can extrapolate miles per gallon.

More than anything, a fuel flow meter works as an indicator of what improvements could be made to the boat. If your gallons per hour begins to increase, you can infer that something is wrong with the load on the boat, the throttle position, or that you’re going too fast. Stock up on plenty of Yamaha 2m oil, but take note when that supply begins to dwindle at an abnormally quick rate. Even with the help of a fuel flow meter, you’ll need to do some tinkering to truly streamline efficiency.

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Attaching an Outboard to Your Boat

installingboat

For the better part of the last week, we’ve been focusing on ways boaters can save money without reducing the precious time they get to spend cruising inland lakes, rivers and larger bodies of water. One of the best ways to cut costs is to find a solid, reliable outboard engine on the used market. After you’ve evaluated its structural integrity – and ensured that it’s suitable for use with TC-W3 2 stroke oil – it’s time to install the motor.

Consult the capacity plate on your boat to find out how much engine power the craft can handle. The shaft length of the engine should also match up with the boat’s transom height. Now it’s time to mount the outboard on the center of the transom; if it’s off-balance, you’ll encounter significant steering problems. Position the propeller so that it’s neither too low nor too high. If the propeller shaft juts too far out of the water, it will start to ventilate and wobble.

Beyond simply attaching an outboard motor to the transom, you’ll have to deal with wiring and instrumentation issues. Every marine engine features unique wiring quirks, and you may want to hire a professional for this part of the job. As far as instrumentation goes, you’ll need to choose between analog and digital. Analog relies on many independent wires to run each gauge while digital functions through the boat’s computer.

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Fishing on a Budget: Saving Fuel

fishingonaboat

Although the national economic recession has shown a few signs of slowing down, many consumers are still wary about spending money on luxury items. Yesterday we discussed strategies for finding a solid, reliable boat on the used market. Now we’ll turn our attention to cost-cutting measures you can implement once a fishing trip has begun. All of the following tips will help you save money on two cycle outboard oil.

Try running the boat at different cruising speeds; make note of your fuel consumption at each time. Divide your speed in miles per hour by the gallons per hour of fuel that were consumed to derive fuel efficiency in miles per gallon. Since every fishing boat has what’s known as a “sweet spot” – the speed at which fuel efficiency is maximized – it’s just a matter of experimenting until you find the right speed.

If you have a marine GPS unit, use its fish-finder features to make educated guesses about the location of nearby schools of fish. You might be surprised at how much fuel is wasted just circling around a lake aimlessly in search of a bite. If your boat lacks a GPS unit, talk to some friends who have already fished that particular lake or other body of water. See if they have any tips about where the action might be.

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Navigating the Used Boat Market

boat-for-sale

When it comes to creating the perfect fishing boat setup, I’m never satisfied. Sure, I’ve had my share of fun and caught my share of fish on old, beat-up boats, but it always seems like the grass is greener on the other side. Whenever I’m driving down the street or taking a walk around the neighborhood and I spot a “for sale” sign on a fishing boat, I immediately begin to take stock of my finances.

Still, I’ve learned plenty of lessons over the years about purchasing old boats and installing outboard motors. First, it’s important to realize that if a boat seems like too great of a deal, there’s probably a reason for it. Don’t skimp on your pre-purchase inspection – look things over thoroughly. The structural integrity of the hull is perhaps the single most critical factor. If the boat isn’t seaworthy, you’ll spend many times more for repairs than you did purchasing the vessel in the first place.

The next consideration involves the outboard motor. Will you be installing an old engine that’s sitting around in your garage or going after a brand new motor? There are several elements you’ll be able to reuse from your old outboard, including the gas tank, the battery and the steering system. Remember to check the shaft length of the outboard to make sure it corresponds with the boat’s transom. Top off the outboard with Yamaha oil before taking it for its second “maiden” voyage.

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Phase Separation in Ethanol

marine-engine-oil

By now most small boat owners will be familiar with the debate raging in boardrooms and congressional halls over the merits of ethanol fuel. We’ve posted before about ethanol lobbyists whose primary goal is to force all boaters to use E15 fuel. And while most of their reasons for doing so are altruistic and pro-environment, the drawbacks of using high-ethanol blends in marine engines are myriad.

It’s not that boat owners are stubborn or set in their ways; to the contrary, they are often willing to embrace the latest technology if it promises to make their hobbies more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly. Unfortunately in the case of ethanol the detriments appear to outweigh the benefits. A process known as phase separation occurs when the ethanol present in blended fuel absorbs water and separates. This leaves multiple layers inside the fuel tank with the majority of ethanol and water – which won’t burn – settling down at the bottom. The marine engine oil remaining on top will have a lower octane rating.

Critics might argue that boat manufacturers need to overhaul their current fuel tank designs, but that problem would do nothing to assuage vintage boat owners or other 2-cycle motor users. Snowmobiles, go karts and chainsaws all feature engines that would be put at great risk if high-ethanol blended fuel entered into the equation. For now it’s up to individuals to make wise choices when selecting their boat oil.

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Save on Fuel with These Basic Tips

fueling

As most small boat owners would quickly admit, a large portion of their recreational budget goes toward fuel prices. After spending enough time on the lake, one begins to figure out a few veteran maneuvers that help cut down on gas and oil costs. First, a point we’ve tried to drive home many times in the past on this blog: Perform basic maintenance on your outboard engine after every trip. That way you’ll catch any developing problems in their infancy and nip them in the bud before they become expensive.

Don’t simply take it for granted that your boat’s propeller is in perfect working order. Inspect the prop before putting your vessel in the water. If it has visible scrapes or nicks along the blades’ leading edges, you could be losing efficiency moving through the water. The laws of physics dictate that a heavier boat will require more energy just to get around. Ditch any excess gear before leaving the dock and you could end up saving significantly on outboard motor oil.

Pay attention to the weather report as water conditions often dictate how much energy your motor expends. Rough, choppy water is a pain to plow through, and a calm, placid lake makes for smooth sailing. Finally, take notes over the course of a few fishing trips. Each time, run the motor at a different speed and calculate your efficiency. Every boat has a target speed where the engine performs at the most efficient level possible.

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