December, 2009 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

How to Winterize Your Boat

snowsceneEven the if you think that your baby is indestructible, all boats need primo care. With winter upon us, it is time to start winterizing your boat and reading up on the precautions you need to take to ensure a long life for your craft. Below is a step-by-step guide to winterizing your boat, but before you begin, drain the gear case and check for excessive moisture in the motor.

Then, flush engine with fresh water using flush muffs or similar device attached to the raw water pickup. Let all water drain from the engine. Wash engine down with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Disconnect fuel hose and run engine until it stops. It is important to follow a step-by-step process to make sure that all fuel is drained from the carburetor to prevent build-up of deposits from evaporated fuel. Use fogging oil in the cylinders to lubricate the cylinder walls and pistons. Apply water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads. Change the Yamalube 2W oil in the lower unit. Lastly, lightly lubricate the exterior of the engine or polish with a good wax.

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Be Safe On Your ATV

We often hear about accidents involving ATVs and children. In fact, hundreds of people die each year as a result of unsafe ATV riding practices. Many of these deaths could be prevented if more ATV owners were educated about safety. Here are some tips you should be aware of if you own or plan to ride an ATV:atv

~Only take your ATV into ATV-designated areas.

~Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail.

~Comply with all barriers and warning signs.

~Use the buddy system. Never ride without a friend in case of an accident or breakdown.

~Never forget to wear ATV helmets.

~Perform routine maintenance on your vehicle, like replacing the Evinrude XD100 oil.

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Want an ATV?

atvIt has been about 30 years since the first ATV was introduced to the market, and since then they have become more and more popular every year. Just what is the appeal of these three and four wheel machines, could it be just the excitement that riding them creates? Nowadays you will find entire families enjoying the excitement and riding as a family activity. But there is always down sides to things, and riding ATVs is no different. Many accidents happen each year to people riding ATVs, keeping a few things in mind and following some simple safety procedures could keep you in the safe zone at all times.

One of the first rules that you will want to follow is as a new rider, always head out to the trails with an experienced rider, in fact even an experienced rider should always have a partner with them. If at all possible before you buy your own ATV rent one or use a friends to see if this is something that you are really going to like. Once you determine that you enjoy the hobby, then start recording what type of riding you like to do and what trails you will be frequenting the most.

It is usually recommended that beginners not go off and buy a new ATV, rather become familiar with the sport first, try out some different style machines such as utility ATV’s or Sport ATV’s and determine what feels most comfortable to you. After you get your first machine it is always advisable to take a safety course. You can find ATV safety courses that will meet once a week for a couple of hours that is spread out three or four weeks. Not only will they review basic safety precautions, but you will also learn fundamental maintenance for your vehicle, like how to change the Yamalube 2S oil. This is not mandatory, but I believe is well worth your time and money.

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Winterizing Your Boat Trailer

5starr

Just as we take precautions to winterize our boat by changing the mercury oil, using a gasoline treatment to clean the tank, and greasing the propeller, it’s also important to winterize your boat trailer. The first step you should take is to prevent the buildup of rust, especially if your trailer and boat are stored outside. For rust protection, you’ll want to coat your trailer at least once every few years with rust prevention paint. It’s also important to re-grease the wheels on your trailer to avoid them from freezing and becoming immovable over the winter. If possible, drape your boat cover over the boat trailer as well, as preventing water runoff will help to maintain its condition.

With the proper precautions, you’ll be ready and rearing to go once the weather grows warmer; you’ll be out on the lake or the ocean before everyone else!

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Introduction to ATVs

atvWhile ATVs have become commonplace now, they have only been in the market for a relatively short amount of time. Introduced in the 1970s, all terrain vehicles (better known as ATVs) were at first met with a high incidence of injury. But this was largely attributed to improper use by the riders. To increase the level of safety, the norm was changed from three wheels to four wheels. Regardless of the number of wheels, an ATV can be described as any vehicle with low pressure tires, handlebars for steering, and a seat that must be straddled by the rider.

Some countries consider ATVs to be a street legal vehicle, but this is not the case in many provinces and states of Canada, the United States, and Australia. In many ways, an ATV mirrors a motorcycle, except the extra wheels offer additional stability and the accessories and products are far different. To that end, all terrain vehicle products are a specific range of products used to maintain, clean, or repair an ATV. These differ widely from both car products and motorcycle products, but they still need some basic outboard oil.

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Fishing Memories

yamalube 2m oilI can’t think of anything that reminds me more of summer than cruising around the lake on a fishing boat with my dad. He owned a beautiful Eagle 190, one of many G-3 boats in the Yamaha line. Before hitting the lake every year, we would set aside a day to do some basic tune-ups and maintenance, like flushing the engine and replacing the Yamalube 2M oil.

He would take as many people as could fit on the boat (and sometimes more), and we’d fish until it was pitch dark outside. Most days, we didn’t catch a single thing. I’d usually be so excited by the smallest nibble that I’d yank my pole too quickly and lose the fish altogether, which never ceased to make him laugh. He would swear up and down that he landed huge fish in the lake before, but I certainly never saw one!

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Buying a Boat? Here’s a Simple How-To Guide

boat

1. Consider warranties. Investigate the warranties for every boat you are considering. Warranties are valuable, and should be an influencer in your decision. Some warranties are transferable, which may become a selling point if you decide to sell your boat. Find out what the warranty includes (engine, hull, components, accessories, service, etc.) and find out about the service that you will receive if something fails. A good way to do this is to ask for references. If you are considering buying a pre-owned boat, be sure to get a marine survey – hire this person yourself to ensure that the survey is done with your interests in mind.

2. Keep a log. At the boat show and as you visit local dealerships, document everything: Take pictures of the dashboard, the galley, the head. Take notes, or record your reactions on a recording device. Involve your family with the decision and listen to their likes and dislikes about each boat. No two boats are exactly the same – but there exists a perfect boat for you and yours. Use your short list of features and brands to quantify your observations… Make a chart, and use it to rank your top choices.

3. When are you ready? Reminder: There is no correct amount of time that it should take to shop for a boat. For some, one afternoon is all that they need. It takes others several years. The right time for you to buy a boat is when you are ready. Boat shows often offer “show specials” to entice you to purchase at the show. Ask the dealer if he/she would honor that price in a few weeks after doing some more shopping… Chances are the answer will be yes.

4. The Test Drive. Did you realize that you can test drive a boat? The way a boat handles, and the way it feels on the water is a very important consideration. Bring the family along for your test drives, and try to test the boat in the types of conditions where you will be using it.

5. The cost of ownership. For most, the cost of owning a boat is nothing compared to the benefits derived from owning and using your own boat. Nonetheless, be sure you understand that the cost of owning a boat includes more than just the fiberglass. You’ll have to spend money on maintenance essentials like outboard motor oil as well.

6. Learning to use your new boat. Boating is not difficult, but driving a boat, like anything else, is a skill. If you have not already, sign up for boaters education courses where you can learn the rules of the road. For on-the-water training, some dealers provide captains to train you on how to use your boats. Others leave it up to you to learn. Most marinas and dealerships have a network of captains or experienced boaters that you can hire to show you the ropes on your own boat. Most likely the only parts that will require practice will be docking, launching and retrieving your boat. The best tip here is just to take it slow and practice.

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What to Consider When Buying a Boat

bayliner

Many people are unhappy boat owners because they buy the wrong boat. Before you dive head first into the world of boat ownership, ask yourself a few questions that will help you focus on the kind of boat you will need:

~ Who will use the boat? Just family or will you invite friends? This may have a bearing on the size.
~ How will you use the boat? Will you be fishing, water skiing, cruising, taking day trips, weekend trips or week long excursions?
~ When, and how often, will the boat be used? Do you boat year-round or only seasonally?
~ Where will you operate the boat: in lakes, rivers or on the ocean?
~ How much can you afford to spend? Don’t forget the initial cost of purchase is just the beginning. There will be insurance, registration fees, and instruction and safety course fees, as well as maintenance essentials, like Evinrude oil.
~ What type of boat suits your personality and temperament? Do you imagine getting from place to place with great speed or leisurely sailing to your destination?

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