Offseason Snowmobile Care: Part One

Now that spring is in full swing, most of us won’t be going anywhere near our snowmobiles for a couple of months. But just because you won’t be on the back of the machine doesn’t mean that your snowmobile is out of harm’s way. A litany of things can go wrong with your vehicle while it’s in storage—from cracked parts and scratched paint to stale gasoline and outboard motor oil. To that end, it is imperative to take the proper precautions when storing your vehicle.

The first thing to do before putting your snowmobile in storage is to clean and polish it thoroughly. If using a pressure washer, use caution around bearing seals, as water can leak in and cause components to rust. Once the machine is dry, look for cracks and other signs of wear or damage. Now that the sled is clean and the body inspected, tomorrow we will start dealing with the various parts under the hood.

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How to Change Boat Motor Oil: Part Five

Now that the old oil has been exorcized from the engine and a new oil filter is in place, the only thing left to do is pour in the fresh oil. Each manufacturer will have their own specifications and recommendations for what type of oil to use in your craft, and it is a good idea to consult your owner’s manual before making a purchase. However, it is usually a safe bet to go with a premium product like Evinrude XD 100 oil.

Even if the filler opening is easily accessible, I recommend using a funnel and, if necessary, a hose to minimize spills and keep the process clean. It may seem like a lengthy process, but the time you put into changing your oil will be well worth it. Maintaining clean oil in your system will not only protect your boat and increase its longevity, but you will also notice a palpable improvement in its performance on the water.

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How to Change Boat Motor Oil: Part Four

Manufacturers will have different recommendations as to when to change your oil filter; however, it is advisable to invest in a new filter every time you change your oil. If your oil filter mounts vertically, it should be fairly simple to replace. For oil filters that are bewilderingly mounted horizontally or upside down, you will need to have a bag ready to contain the outboard motor oil that will inevitably spill during the removal process.

The vast majority of oil filers spin-on, which means that you will need a strap wrench to remove them. Before putting the new oil filter into place, coat the gasket with oil. Screw the filter in by hand, ensuring that the gasket makes full contact, and then tighten it another three-quarter turn. For older boats, there is typically a center bolt that must be removed before you can access the cartridge oil filter.

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How to Change Boat Motor Oil: Part Three

Now that we have familiarized ourselves with the two methods for extricating used oil, it’s time to go through the step-by-step process of actually changing your Yamaha 2w oil. You’ll want to start the engine before removing the oil, which serves dual purposes. Obviously this will heat the oil, making it easier to suck through the pump that you are using. Another reason for heating the engine is agitate the sediments that are dormant in the bottom of the oil pan, ensuring they will be sucked up through the pump.

When removing the oil, you will need a closeable receptacle to collect the fluid in. Look for a container that has a small opening for the hose and a sufficient volume—a milk jug is ideal. Remember, you can’t simply through away your used oil. It is important to take it to the marina or a service station that can recycle or dispose of the oil properly.

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How to Change Boat Motor Oil: Part Two

Yesterday we went over one of the most common ways to change your boat oil—through the drain plug. However, many engines don’t come equipped with a drain plug or if they do, it is often remote and virtually impossible to reach even after attaching a hose. In these scenarios, it is necessary to purchase a pump to suck the used oil out through the dipstick tube. Before you go purchase a pump, it is important to inspect your dipstick tube to see if it is threaded or not.

If your dipstick tube is threaded, you can simply screw on a pump and the oil will be eradicated after a few pulls. On the other hand, if your tube is not threaded, you will have to insert a pick-up tube into the dipstick tube to remove the Evinrude XD100 oil. When using a pick-up tube, be sure that tube reaches the bottom of the oil pan and that you attach a capped piece of PVC to sheath the pick-up tube.

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How to Change Boat Motor Oil: Part One

Changing the oil in your boat’s engine is virtually guaranteed to be a messy and time-consuming chore, but it is essential to ensure high performance. For most boats, the manufacturer recommends changing the oil every 100 hours, which few boat owners actually do. There are a few different options when it comes to changing your outboard motor oil, and over the next few days, we will go through these processes step-by-step.

The first and most common way to drain your oil is through the drain plug. Start by placing a disposable container—a foil pan works fine—underneath the engine to catch the used oil. If you have limited space, you can attach a hose to the drain plug and transfer the oil into any container of your choosing. The main downfall to utilizing the drain plug is that it is often difficult to access and space to catch the oil may be limited.

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Preseason Boat Maintenance: Part Four

For most of us, many of the components of the boat motor and inner workings of the craft are arcane and obscure. Even so, there are a few critical parts that every boater should check before the season, and if there is something that you are unsure of, be sure to take your craft to a qualified professional. Of course, the first aspect of the motor to inspect is the fuel line; make sure that the line is intact and that there are no signs of wear. Also check the fuel primer bulb and look for any loose fittings or leaks.

After you’ve inspected the fuel line, move to the tank and check for corrosion, rust and any leakage. Once the fuel tank and line are cleared, make sure that the battery holds a charge and has the proper fuel levels. Finally, change your Evinrude XD 100 and top off the other essential fluids, such as coolant.

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Preseason Boat Maintenance: Part Three

One of the paramount tasks in any preseason maintenance routine is a thorough eye-inspection; it doesn’t matter if your outboard motor oil is topped off and your battery is charged if there is damage to the body. Many people assume that damage to their boat is due to weathering stormy conditions and blasting through choppy water. In fact, many of the repairs that you have to perform will be a result of mooring.

As such, it is important to check the hull of the ship and areas that have a propensity of contacting the dock. It is also advisable to double-check your lines when you tie up your ship to ensure there is minimal slack, which will prevent damage in the future. During this basic inspection, also check for any loose fittings and other parts that may have worn down during last season.

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Oil Spill Scars Large Section of Great Barrier Reef

Despite efforts to safeguard shipping and transportation of oil, instances of oil spills and environmental trouble stemming from the mishandling of shipments are still all too common. A few days ago, a Chinese ship carrying bulk oil hit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, causing damage along two miles of the natural wonder. The magnitude of the disaster was amplified when it was discovered that part of the damage occurred in a natural sanctuary, where young seabirds and turtles are expected to hatch soon.

Cleanup crews have already begun a concerted effort to minimize the damage, but experts predict that it will take 20 years for the Reef to repair all of the damage. After crashing aground, tides carried the boat along the reef, increasing the extent of the damage. The incident is currently under investigation by Australian authorities, but the ship’s owner is adamant that there was no illegal activity and that the incident was the result of a careless mistake.

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Preseason Boat Maintenance: Part Two

If you’ve had a boat for several years, making a checklist of your maintenance routine may seem superfluous. You are probably saying to yourself, “How could I forget to top off my Evinrude xd100 oil!?” The truth is that all of us, no matter how qualified, will inevitably overlook minute details every now and again. A recent book by Atul Gawande, ‘The Checklist Manifesto’, expounds the merits of checklists, using doctors as a primary example.

For those well versed in the nuances of boat maintenance, it is probably safe to generate your own checklist to go through. However, there are several websites where you can find convenient comprehensive lists that can be printed off. Another option is to compile the tips and advice from this blog to create your own custom list.

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Preseason Boat Maintenance: Part One

Although it will be several weeks or months—depending on where you live—until boat season is in full swing, it is never to early to start tuning up your craft and preparing for some fun on the water. Personally, I like to go through my checklists and make any necessary repairs well before I take out my boat. This is ensures that I don’t lose valuable time on the water to mundane maintenance.

Over the next few days, we’ll review all of the key components and systems you should insect prior using your boat—from changing the outboard motor oil to inspecting the motor for damage. One of the most important aspects to boat care, and one which is often overlooked, is the necessity of keeping your boat clean. Maintaining a clean craft and applying a good coat of wax will help minimize the damage that is inflicted during normal use.

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Making a Outboard Motor Oil Switch

Up until last boating season, I had been using the same brand of oil in my boat for over 20 years. As the saying goes, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” As it turns out, something was broken. When I took my craft in after experiencing some grinding in the motor, I was told that my oil was doing an insufficient job of providing lubrication. Apparently, the oil that I had grown so fond of was now considered the “cheap” version and not intended for use in high-mileage boats.

The owner of the shop suggested that I switch to Evinrude XD 100. It is the highest quality oil that Evinrude produces and is one of the most trusted products on the market. All of the oil’s specifications exceed the minimum standards, which is especially important with the astronomical number of miles I’ve put on my boat.

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