July, 2012 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

High End Semi-Synthetic Oil

This past week, I’ve dedicated quite a bit of blog space to synthetic oils. I’d like to close out the work week by telling you a bit more about my high end semi-synthetic oil of choice, Yamalube 2W. This marine oil is specifically approved for use in Yamaha sport boats and WaveRunners.

Though it is available in smaller sizes, I personally stock up on Yamalube 2W oil and buy it in 55-gallon drums. I would estimate that using the high end semi-synthetic oil has saved me thousands of dollars in engine parts. Yamalube 2W keeps the internal workings of the motor well lubricated, clean and cool.

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Exceeding Expectations

Yamaha boasts on its Website that Yamalube 2M oil exceeds industry standards when it comes to carbon build up and preventing ring stick. The secret is the refined natural oil combined with exclusive performance enhancing additives. Yamalube 2M oil also has the coveted NMMA approval.

I’ve been using Yamalube 2M oil for years. I find that the company’s claims are true; the oil really does offer the best anti-wear and anti-corrosion protection. Though suitable for most outboards, the oil is not recommended for land based products or WaveRunners.

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Synthetic Oils and Sports Cars

For the best protection, many high-end sports cars come filled with synthetic oil. “For most applications, stick with the manufacturer’s recommended oil. But if you want to better protect your engine over the long term, especially against extreme abuse like towing or constant stop-and-go-traffic, synthetic might be for you,” said Ron Sullivan, Penzoil’s technology manager, to “Popular Mechanics.”

What Sullivan said rings true for outboard motors, as well. Synthetic oils flow regardless of temperature, which helps with cranking in cold temperatures and flow in exceedingly hot temperatures. Synthetics might be right for you, but first start with what your manufacturer recommends, which is frequently Yamalube 2M.

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Synthetic Oil Myth Busted

It is surprising the number of boat owners who don’t understand what goes into synthetic oil. Do a quick poll of your boating buddies and I’ll bet that they think synthetic oil never came from nature. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Synthetic oil derives from natural oil. The natural oil is simply refined to a higher degree and improved upon with complex additives for both everyday use and use in extreme conditions. If you’re still in doubt; don’t worry because you can stick with Yamalube 2-M.

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Boating Maryland

I spent several years living in Maryland, and I have to say, there’s nothing quite like boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Though there has been a decline in the fishing industry, there are plenty of seasoned watermen who give great tips on places to fish and harvest oysters and crabs. Over the past decade or so, the state has really committed to cleaning up the Bay and restoring the Bay’s unique ecosystem.

Another Maryland/DC boating destination is the Potomac River. Not only does it have fantastic views, but there is a lot of historical relevance to the boat. Many forts and buildings of significance were built upon the river. It’s on my bucket list of places to go back to when I next get an opportunity. I’d love to see if some of my old buddies are around and swap stories and tips with them, like making sure they’re using ringfree plus in their outboard engines.

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Heavy Weight Oil

“Popular Mechanics” is a publication I often peruse online and in print. I recently came across an article that asked the question, “Is there really any benefit or downside to using heavier-weight oils in summer months and lighter-weight oils in winter?” This is an old wives tale, so to speak, that refers to car maintenance.

Before recent improvements to motor oil, there was only one viscosity. Oil would thin out in the summer heat, so it was necessary to use heavier weighted oils. Nowadays we have multi-viscosity oils, so there isn’t a need to use weighted oils with the changing seasons. The same technology is used in outboard motor oil, like my preference, Yamalube 2 cycle oil.

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Boating in Tennessee

I can personally testify to the quality of boating in Tennessee. My brother-in-law and his family live in Lexington, Kentucky, and we often trailer his boat and go down to Tennessee. He goes there so often that he has a good relationship with a local shop owner who gives him a deal on outboard oil.

On our frequent trips to Tennessee we’ve spent time exploring the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers. Those rivers run through the four biggest cities in the state, so you get a pretty good lay of the land and culture. Plus, with 32 major reservoirs and 300 marine events each year, you get to meet up with a lot of other boating enthusiasts and trade stories.

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ATV

This past weekend I got quite a shock. My teenage son, who just finished his first year of college, rode up to our lake house on an ATV. He’s an adult and he earns his own money working part time during the school year, so I can’t exactly tell him what to do with his own money.

He showed the ATV off to me, my wife, and his little sister. It looked all right at first glance, but I told him I wanted to take a closer look at its guts. He grinned and said, “No problem, dad. I already have some Yamalube in there to keep it greased.”

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East Coast Storm

A buddy of mine lives in the Mid-Atlantic region, near Washington D.C. A week or so ago they had a massive freak storm. The storm, according to my friend, came out of nowhere and lasted only an hour. That was long enough to do a lot of damage.

Over a million homes in his area lost power and it didn’t get restored for nearly a week. Trees were down all over the place so it took a while for the electric company to get in there and fix things up. The roof of my friend’s shed blew halfway off, but, he said the strangest thing happened – even though the roof was gone his Yamaha outboard oil was still standing neatly in rows just as he had stored them!

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Boating in Wisconsin

The next best boat to resident ratio is found in Wisconsin. For every Cheesehead there are nine boats. Every county has at least four lakes, with Vilas county having an impressive 1,327 (yes, you read that number correctly).

Even during the cold winters there are boat-able locations. One popular destination is the 600-acre Lake Columbia just north of Madison. Warm water from a power plant flows into the lake so it doesn’t freeze over. You don’t have to winterize your boat if you go there; just top off your outboard motor oil and you’re good to go for year round fishing.

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Golf Carts

About ten miles away from our lake house is a country club. It has a pretty decent back nine. A friend of mine, who happens to be a member, invited me to an early tee time a few days ago.

We had a blast shooting the breeze while we played a leisurely game. We even got to ride around in golf carts. As we were turning in our golf carts, I noticed one of the attendants struggling to get one of the carts going. I offered to take a look at the motor for him. All it needed was a little Yamaha oil and a bit of fuel to get going again.

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Playing Chicken

My daughter is grounded for the rest of the week up here at the lake house. She thought it would be fun to play chicken using our PWC. She and a friend went speeding toward each other until finally one of them peeled off.

A PWC is a powerful machine. She and her friend could have really hurt themselves! My daughter thinks I’m being unreasonable with the grounding, but I wouldn’t be a good parent if I didn’t punish her for such reckless behavior. I’m going to have to add on some more chores, too, now that I think about it. Maybe I’ll have her pay me back for the Yamaha 2W oil she burned while playing her dangerous game.

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