June, 2012 | Outboard Motor Oil

Checklist for Trip

Before I leave for any trip, I always make an extensive packing list. My standard packing list covers clothing, toiletries, and accessories for an extended weekend trip. Then, I have my packing list for outdoor trips, specifically fishing trips.

The detailed list includes: tackle box, tackle, lures, rods, reels, and fishing line, among other items. Then I have another list to cover items I need for my boat. Number one on that list is Mercury outboard oil. Yes, I’m sure I can get engine oil at a tackle shop, but I really don’t want to risk them not carrying my brand. I’m particular in that way.

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Mildew Remover

Last weekend I gave my friend Roy a hand in getting his WaveRunner ready for the summer season. To my dismay, when we went to pull his WaveRunner out of the shed, we found the cover was full of mildew. This means that the WaveRunner was not stored properly out of a dark damp area.

Roy looked aghast when he saw the amount of mildew. I told him not to worry, that I had a surefire remedy to fix it up. I mixed up a white vinegar and water and sprayed it onto the worst areas. I let the mixture set for a bit and then wiped it and the mildew off with a damp rag. Once we’d cleaned up the cover we were able to start getting the WaveRunner ready, starting by adding WaveRunner oil.

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Government Cut

Government Cut – what an odd name for a fishing spot. I’ve read that during the winter fishing season Government Cut is tarpon central. Since I’ll be visiting in July I’m wondering if I want to expend my Mercury OptiMax oil there or move on to another hole.

What’s keeping me from making a decision one way or the other is that the Cut is in a great location. The north side of the north jetty extends to 18th Street on Miami Beach, while the south side extends to Fisher Island. The deep channel attracts mangrove snapper, grouper, barracuda, and cobia. Not sure if I’d want to catch a barracuda, but mangrove snapper sounds delectable.

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Oil and Gas Mixture for Small Engines

In small engines, such as those found on a weed whacker, gasoline is mixed with two cycle oil at a particular ratio. Typically the ratio is 40 parts gasoline to one part oil or 50 parts gasoline to one part oil. The ratio depends on the thickness of the fuel.

Inside the engine, the two-cycle oil lubricates the engine while fuel pumps through. Two cycle engines are ideal in weed whackers and other small appliances because they do not require very many chambers. The concept is similar on a larger outboard motor that requires two cycle outboard oil.

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Haulover Inlet to Government Cut

I nearly started drooling on my keyboard when I read the description for the ocean off Haulover Inlet to Government Cut. Apparently, it’s one of Miami’s best kept fishing secrets. Not just fish, but live shrimp can be caught drifting just 100 yards from the beach.

Along the coast hundreds of tarpon ranging 20 to 180 pounds are caught every winter. I’ll be missing out on the tarpon, but there should be plenty of action with jacks, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel. I just hope my son appreciates this trip as much as I do. Maybe I’ll talk to him about it while we’re dipping into our stock of Mercury oil 55 gallon drum.

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Lawn Maintenance

One of the chores I was responsible for growing up was taking care of the lawn. Each week I was responsible for mowing the front and back yards. Sometimes I’d take care of the neighbor’s lawns too if the neighbor was unwell or out of town.

By the sidewalk, along the garden beds, and down by the street curb, I had to use a weed whacker. It is from maintaining the weed whacker that I learned about two stroke engines and two cycle oil. That knowledge came in handy when I moved up to working on two stroke outboard motor boat engines.

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History of the Snowmobile

In 1910 Russian inventor Igor Sikorsky invented the precursor to the modern snowmobile, known as the Aerosan. Six years later, Ray H. Muscott invented the first U.S. snowmobile that used rear tracks and front skis. Canadian Joseph-Armand Bombardier produced the seven-passenger snowmobile in 1937. During World War II he introduced the B-12, which, not surprisingly, could hold 12 passengers.

Polaris Industries, created by Edgar and Allen Hetteen and David Johnson, produced the first personal snowmobiles in 1956. The modern snowmobile, known as Ski-doo, was manufactured by Bombardier in 1959. By the 1970s the sport had really taken off and there were more than 100 snowmobile manufacturers. I learned all this while researching the best snowmobile oil.

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Seven Mile Bridge Rubble

While perusing the local Miami CBS affiliate, I came a cross a list of top places to fish in Florida. At the top of their list was Seven Mile Bridge Rubble. The location is west of Sombrero Light in 105 feet of water. (I’ve been assured that any local tackle shop owner can give me exact coordinates).

Yellowtail, mutton snapper, and amberjack can be caught year round. In July, I’ve been told that permit abound. I cannot wait to change out my Mercury oil, add some fuel, and hit the open water. I can almost taste the yellowtail already.

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Fishing in Florida

I cannot wait for next weekend to roll around. I’m packing up the car and heading to Florida with the family for a July 4th vacation. While my wife and daughter enjoy lounging on the beach, my son and I plan to hit up as many fishing holes as possible.

In preparing for the trip, I have looked at all sorts of top ten lists to find the best fishing holes in Florida. Yellowtail, mutton snapper, grouper, and king mackerel – the list of fish just waiting to be caught is quite tantalizing. Now all I need to do is make sure I have plenty of Mercury engine oil!

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Critical Information

When it comes to the maintenance of my outboard motor, I am meticulous. Every service manual, parts manual, and warranty is carefully stored in a plastic sleeve and then in a filing cabinet. It’s better than keeping the manuals stacked in the shed where they could be easily lost or damaged.

The filing system has worked wonders for me. Whenever I have a maintenance issue or a question about when I should change out the Mercury 2 stroke premium outboard motor oil, I know exactly where to look. Actually, several of my friends who have the same outboard motors have asked to borrow my manuals because they know that mine are intact and fully legible.

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Mercury or Bust

Have you ever played the why game? If you have kids then you know what I’m referring to. It’s when someone repeatedly asks you “why” in response to every explanation you offer up. It frequently ends in exasperation.

I recently got into another version of the why game called the “what if” game. A buddy of mine was trying to get me to budge on my favorite Mercury 2 stroke oil. “What if the local store was out?” “I’d go to another.” “What if they didn’t have it? What would you use?” “I’d go to another store or order it online.” This went on for a while until I eventually blew my top. Not the most mature reaction, but then neither was the game in the first place.

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Improve Outboard Performance

Do you have an older model Mercury two stroke motor? You’ve probably noticed that it doesn’t run as efficiently as it used to. This happens to every outboard, but there are steps you can take to return the engine to near-peak performance.

I recommend giving Rejuvenate a shot. It’s a Mercury 2 cycle oil that’s purpose is to clean up older two stroke engines. Originally, the oil was used by the U.S. military, so you know that it can withstand all sorts of gunk, fuel and oil variances.

 

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