Fuel Economy Tip 4

The fourth installment of our fuel economy tips involves something we know quite well: stay on top of motor maintenance by regularly changing oil and plugs. For example, if you have a Yamaha motor you’ll want to take a look at Yamalube to help maximize performance and save the most at the gas pump. Each engine will have its own specific requirements and recommendations so be sure to check with the manufacturer to find out exactly what type of oil is best for your motor.

Also, regularly check your plugs to make sure they’re clean and properly seated in the motor. This would also be an excellent opportunity to check to see if one or all of them need to be replaced. Remember, when trying to maximize fuel efficiency in any type of gasoline powered engine there’s nothing that beats regular maintenance. And in order to get the most out of your maintenance, make sure you know what you’re doing and be very thorough in your routine inspections.

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Fuel Economy Tip 3

Our third fuel efficiency tip is something many avid boaters forget about. Propeller choice, maintenance and care are as critical to fuel efficiency as anything else and therefore shouldn’t be ignored when preparing for your upcoming boating season. Choose a propeller that allows your boat to perform at the higher end of the manufacturer’s specifications for wide-open throttle rpm. Of course, you’ll want to make sure this is when you’re carrying your standard amount of gear for an outing in the boat.

Also, be sure to check for nicked and dinged blades before heading out on the water. These cut down on the propeller’s efficiency and will have very negative effects on your overall fuel economy. Being careful while out on the water and regularly inspecting your props will help you save money by ensuring your props are operating at optimum efficiency. A little Evinrude outboard oil also couldn’t hurt and is proven to help maintain prop efficiency. Don’t skimp out on this, it’s as important as anything else and could make a world of difference next time you fork over a wad of cash for a little gas.

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Beat High Fuel Costs Part 2

Tip Number 2: Slim Down on Gear
The second installment of our money saving tips for more affordable boating might be a bit challenging for some. When you’re heading out on the water for several hours you want to be prepared. What’s more, you’ll want to enjoy the comforts of home. The problem is, hauling all that stuff can have catastrophic consequences for fuel efficiency. In order to do this you’ll want to examine what you’re taking with you and what could potentially be left off the boat during your next outing.

A lot of boaters will take out as much fuel and water as their boat can hold and this is a classic mistake. Rather than haul all that unnecessary stuff you can take just what you need for the day and save yourself some serious headaches at the pump. You can also save yourself some serious cash with regular maintenance and a good motor oil. Buying bulk outboard motor oil is a great way to help increase fuel economy no mater how much you’re hauling.

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High Fuel Prices Won’t Keep Everyone Off the Water

With skyrocketing fuel prices that are making us cringe at the gas-pump many people can’t bring themselves to pay the fuel bill for some recreational activities. Fortunately we’ve run across some handy tips over the years for those who don’t want to sacrifice their much needed relaxation and hobbies because fuel prices are too high. Today we’ll share with you the first installment in the fuel-saving tip guide that will keep you sane and out of the poor-house.

Tip Number 1: Smart Navigation
Boats are well-known to perform less than optimally in messy chop or when moving against currents. When having to deal with less than ideal conditions it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to where you’re going and when. The best way to avoid finding yourself in undesirable waters is to get to know your local waterways, current and tide cycles and weather patterns. Pay close attention to the currents and wind patterns and you could even boost your fuel efficiency by riding sympathetic currents. But no matter the conditions, you’ll want to maintain your boats engine with Evinrude XD50 oil. It’s great in several types of weather conditions and certainly won’t hurt fuel economy.

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East Coast Escapes Yearly Storms

Neither of this year’s category-4 hurricanes, Danielle and Earl, made landfall on the Atlantic Coast during the late-summer storm cycle. But that doesn’t mean residents didn’t feel the effects of the two very powerful tropical storms. 70-80 mph winds were reported in both the Outer Banks and in some New England states as the two storms slid up the coastline. If Earl had not weakened and remained 85 miles off shore, it would have torn through the Outer Banks with catastrophic effect.

Danielle, on the other hand, stayed several hundred miles of shore and had less of an effect on coastal communities as the two storms went up the East Coast in August and September. This comes as good news to avid boaters in the Eastern United States who will be able to enjoy this season’s shorelines without having to rebuild from a cataclysmic hurricane season. I know I’ll be taking my boat out as soon as possible, that’s why I’ve already stocked up on boat motor oil for the season to come.

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The Two-Stroke Engine Cycle: Part Three

After reading the two previous blog posts, you’ve probably realized that the piston is the star of the show in the two-stroke engine. It serves three main purposes during the engine cycle. First, it acts as the combustion chamber, pressurizing the mixture of air, gas and Yamaha oil and capturing the power created by the subsequent ignition of that fuel. In addition, the piston also serves as the crankcase when it facilitates the flow of air and fuel into the system via the reed valve.

While all of this is occurring, the piston is also taking the place of the valves as it covers the intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder walls. The multifaceted nature of the piston is what allows for the two-stroke engine’s lightweight and powerful construction. Remember that the piston is under constant tension and doesn’t have a direct source of lubrication, so be sure to be diligent when you’re mixing your gas and oil.

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The Two-Stroke Engine Cycle: Part Two

Now that the first of the two strokes is complete, it’s time for the compression stroke. After the first stroke, the momentum created in the crankshaft propels the piston back to the spark plug. When the piston compresses the combination of air, gas and Yamalube 2S oil, it creates a vacuum which opens the reed valve and allow the mixture to be extricated from the carburetor.

Once the piston makes it through the combustion stroke, the cycle simply starts again. This combination of compression and combustion strokes explains the “two-stroke” portion of the engine’s name. Four-stroke engines have separate intake and exhaust cycles in addition to the combustion and compression strokes.

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The Two-Stroke Engine Cycle: Part One

Each cycle of any engine begins at the spark plug. Two-stroke engines derive their power from the fact that the spark plug fires once every rotation, as opposed to every other. When the spark plug fires, the mixture of fuel and air in the cylinder ignites to drive down the piston. As the piston moves downward, it compresses the mixture of air and fuel into the crankcase. The the piston creates pressure in the cylinder, pushing the gases out of the exhaust port.
 
The intake port is then covered as the piston reaches the bottom of the stroke. Because the mixture is pressurized in the crankcasae, it rushes into the cylinder. This displaces the excess gas and fills the cylinder with a new supply of fuel and Yamaha 2M oil. Now that this phase of the cycle is complete, tomorrow we’ll have the riveting conclusion: the compression stroke!

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Disadvantages of Two-Stroke Engines

After reading yesterday’s post, you may be wondering why two-stroke engines aren’t used in more applications; after all, they’re lighter, simpler, cheaper and more powerful than four-strokes. For starters, because two-stroke engines are light and powerful, the system takes more abuse and tends to wear out quickly, which isn’t good for machines like automobiles. In addition, the lubrication system in the two-stroke has been simplified so the gasoline and 2 stroke oil are held together. While this is convenient, it doesn’t provide dedicated lubrication to the engine.

The immense power output from two-stroke motors does come at the expense of efficiency. Not only do two-stroke engines burn through oil rapidly, the oil is also expensive in itself. To compound the issue, two-stroke engines also have poor fuel economy. And the burning of all that gasoline and oil means that two-stroke engines emit a surfeit of pollution. During the cycle, fuel and air leak out the combustion chamber as well, posing a particular threat for marine applications.

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Advantages of Two-Stroke Engines

Most devices with lower-power applications—such as gardening equipment, ATVs and small outboard motors—use a two-stroke engine, as opposed to a four-stroke. Two-strokes offer some distinct advantages over their four-stroke counterparts. First, a two-stroke engine doesn’t require any valves. This makes the unit much less complex, allowing for a smaller, lightweight construction. Also, two-stroke engines fire on every revolution, creating consistent power; four-strokes only fire every other cycle.

Finally, two-stroke engines will run no matter which way they are oriented. Because the gasoline and bulk oil is mixed in the engine, both fluids will always be in the system. This isn’t the case with four-stroke motors, where the oil is held is a discrete reservoir. Over the next few days, we’ll be covering the basics of two-stroke engines, including the steps in the engine cycle.

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Pre-Season Snow Mobile Maintenance: Part Four

Since the machine has been idle for some time, the carburetor should be cleaned as well. You can find specialty carburetor cleaning products that are expressly designed for this purpose. While you’re fiddling around in there, be mindful of the inlet needle, as it tends to get stuck in either the open or closed position. Either way, it will spell trouble for your vehicle.

Inspect the throttle to ensure nothing it’s unobstructed and moves easily. The final thing to do is mix some bulk motor oil with the gasoline and fill up the tank. Once again, you’ll want to refer to your owner’s manual to see the manufacturer’s oil specifications. This will also provide you with the proper ratio to use when combining the oil and gasoline.

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Pre-Season Snow Mobile Maintenance: Part Three

Now that we have the hood open, remove, clean and inspect your spark plugs. Personally, I change my spark plugs at the beginning of each year, as they tend to die out quickly. Nothing is worse than trying to start up your snowmobile miles from civilization only to find that one of your spark plugs is dead. You can find specifications for which plugs to use in your owner’s manual.

The starter rope also requires attention, as it has a tendency to fray and wear. Even if the rope looks like it’s in good condition, it’s still a smart idea to bring an extra one along with you on your rides. Replace the battery if you removed it for storage and clean the terminals before making the connection. Tomorrow we’ll go over carburetor maintenance and the proper procedure for mixing your Yamaha 2W oil with gasoline.

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