Ethanol: How Much Is Too Much for Boaters?

ethanol-insetOver the last few months, we’ve visited and revisited the threat posed by ethanol additives to the small boat industry. Specifically, ethanol lobbyists are seeking a waiver to sell E15 – that’s gas with a 15 percent concentration of ethanol – or even E20 as a standard fuel mixture for marine engines. As many boaters are aware, most small vessels on the market and in the water today are ill-equipped to deal with such high concentrations of the additive.

The question, then, for most boaters is “how much is too much?” The answer depends on the make, model and year of each individual boat. While most outboards are made to handle standard two cycle oil made by the likes of Yamaha, Evinrude and Mercury, marine engines can generally tolerate E10. The fuel system of the boat is a whole other story, as even a 10 percent concentration of ethanol can do irreparable damage.

E10 has a shelf life of two weeks, after which time it undergoes phase separation. If a boat sits idle for any extended stretch of time, the ethanol additive will evaporate, leaving behind only low-octane fuel. This fuel is much more likely to create blockages in the fuel system, and the ethanol that separates will sink to the bottom of the tank. After phase separation occurs, the fuel system is rendered inoperable until it’s drained.

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More Battery Tips

boatpush

We recently discussed the importance of packing multiple battery systems for fishing excursions. One system should be devoted to the general operation of the boat – the cranking function that starts it up – and the other should be relegated to smaller tasks like keeping the radio, radar and GPS juiced up. You might be wondering how it’s possible to prevent one battery from being used up by providing power to all of the boat’s electrical needs.

Yamaha’s battery isolator system has the ability to recharge multiple batteries right onboard the boat. This is especially handy because it’s crucial to keep the cranking battery operational for the duration of a trip. There’s nothing worse than finding out that an outboard engine won’t restart during the middle of your journey. The battery isolator system senses which battery has the least energy and supplies it with a charge. If both are equally tapped or equally full, they each receive the same amount of power.

Note that batteries should always be mounted a safe distance away from the boat’s fuel system. Fuel lines, gas tanks and outboard motor oil in general should be kept separate from electronic components. By keeping these and other safety measures in mind, you can ensure a fun, relaxing late-season boat trip.

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Pack a Backup Battery

boat-fishingWith technology advancing by leaps and bounds in recent years, allowing anglers to pinpoint their location, route, and the best places to find fish, it should come as no surprise that reliable batteries and charging systems are a top priority. Many boaters rely on GPS, fish finder technology and VHF radios for communication; none of this would be possible without the juice required to power the whole enterprise.

While the above features could be classified as luxuries, there are several functional parts of the boat that also need battery power – namely electronic fuel injection systems. As such, Yamaha recommends that boaters bring two battery systems onboard. One should be used as the main power source for starting the engine, and the other should be dedicated to the specialized electrical devices.

By limiting yourself to a single battery system, you run the risk of sapping it part-way through your trip. Just as you should always bring bulk motor oil along for lengthy voyages, you should also be prepared in case of battery problems. Bring a backup or two, and you can work on installing it into the system as needed. Bear in mind that deep-cycle batteries are suited for energizing the electrical system as they are more dependable over an extended period of time than cranking batteries.

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Fishing Tips from a Yamaha Pro

fishingboat

For boat owners lucky enough to live in areas where the sun shines year round, fishing season is anything but over by mid September. According to professional angler Clark Wendlandt, many fishermen overlook one of the most bountiful places to catch a sizeable dinner – or maybe even a genuine trophy fish or two. If you begin and end your day of boating in a marina, you may not have to go far to find fish.

Rocky stretches of shoreline, and even man-made rock walls, are excellent hideouts for certain types of forage bass. The algae that grows along those rocks marks the bottom of the food chain, and small minnows gather to feast on the sustenance. Crawfish also prefer tiny crevices where they can hide from predators, and all of these elements combine to bring bass from miles around.

Wendlandt, who relies on Yamalube oil to help propel his boat around the lake, recommends fishing rocks early in the morning. That’s when the bass stay in relatively shallow water. He tends to use crankbaits when fishing rocky stretches and then, if that doesn’t work, switches to worms or even jigs. You don’t need to be a professional to recognize a great opportunity to catch fish.

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Increasing Power and Efficiency

speed-boat_thb

Over the years, 2 stroke engine manufacturers competed not only to build the most powerful engines, but also the most efficient ones. Efficiency becomes even more crucial when discussing engines in the 115 to 150 hp range. These outboards are best suited for boat owners who don’t mess around – they want to get from point A to point B quickly, and reliability is key. Still, it would be a shame to waste a perfectly good fuel/oil mixture.

Loop charging, also known as Schneurle porting, is a method by which transfer ports force the fresh fuel/air mixture into the combustion chamber as soon as it enters the cylinder. This discourages fuel from being lost through the exhaust port, improving efficiency as well as engine power. The method got its moniker from Anton Schneurle, a German scientist who invented a form of it in the 1920s.

Prior to the widespread of loop charging, 2 stroke engines trailed behind their 4 stroke counterparts in terms of power and efficiency. Today, Yamaha and other purveyors of 2 cycle oil feature a line of high-end, loop-charged engines that run the gamut from 115 hp to 150 hp. Without these innovations, boat owners wouldn’t be able to enjoy the speed and efficiency of modern outboard engines.

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Are You Ready for Snowmobile Season?

snowmobile

Outdoors enthusiasts’ tastes change with the seasons. In summer, they can be found fishing from the deck of a small personal craft or perhaps splashing around shore on a waverunner. But as the air begins to take on that distinctive crispness and the leaves take on a reddish hue, their thoughts turn to other endeavors. The boats are stored safely and securely in an out building – away from those who would steal their valuable outboard engines.

But just as many boat owners are going about the painstaking process of winterizing their crafts, they are also thinking of taking the snowmobile out of storage. Before too long the ground will be covered in a powdery layer of fresh snow. Even though that first ride might feel far out of reach, it’s still best to make sure that a sled is in tip-top shape for snowmobile season.

Begin by checking the fuel and oil levels. If it isn’t already, be sure to top things off with some Yamaha 2s oil. People also have a tendency to forget about other crucial fluid levels such brake fluid and engine coolant. Brake fluid levels can be verified by taking a gander at the sight glass of the master cylinder. Anti-freeze can be viewed in the reservoir tank. As long as both of these fall somewhere between the “low” and “full” designations, you should be fine.

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Cleaning the Carburetor

carburetor

Carburetors, which pull in air to be combined with a fuel/oil mixture, are essential to any smooth-running outboard motor. It’s a pity that these finicky devices are commonly associated with engine trouble. By the very nature of their operation, carburetors are often gummed up; they require cleaning on a regular basis. There is, however, one simple way to keep the carburetor clean as long as possible – that’s by sticking with a high-quality fuel/oil mixture such as Yamalube.

When gas evaporates, it tends to leave behind a gummy residue. If you don’t take preventative measures to discourage that buildup, you may have a sticky situation on your hands. Although many fuel additives claim the ability to clean an outboard carburetor, many of them actually contain strong solvents that will do lasting damage to the fuel system (just as ethanol would).

Rather than cleaning in the carburetor during the course of operating the outboard motor, you’ll likely need to disassemble it. Allow the carburetor to soak in some specially formulated cleaning fluid. Once reassembled and ready to go, you should notice an immediate difference in terms of engine performance.

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Ethanol: Fine for Cars, Not for Boats

ethanol

If you’ve been paying any attention to boating industry periodicals and other information sources, you’ve probably heard about the rise of ethanol fuel blends. These fuels, produced from grains such as corn, are mixed with standard petroleum to create a cleaner-burning end result. Auto owners are understandably excited about this development as it could mean a reduction in dependence on foreign oil and a stopgap solution until other alternative sources – such as electric – become more viable.

Many boat owners, on the other hand, have pointed out that ethanol and outboard engines don’t mix. Unlike cars, which by their very nature feature a high rate of fuel turnover, boats often see long periods of disuse. If a fuel with a high blend of ethanol sits dormant inside the fuel system too long, the results can be disastrous. Ethanol acts as a solvent – anathema to fuel tanks and lines. It can breakup the varnish deposits in the engine, sending them through the fuel filters to wreak havoc on the injectors.

At this moment in time, it remains rather easy for a boater to ensure that he or she doesn’t fall victim to a high-ethanol blend. Make sure that your fuel retailer lists the percentage of ethanol in a given blend. E10, which includes 10 percent ethanol, is widely considered safe for use in small boats. Anything more than that could be risky. Remember that in order to keep your outboard motor running with efficiency and longevity, you should stick with a proven product such as Yamaha oil.

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Seeking Thrills and Making Plans

waverunner

Earlier this summer, my family bought some beachfront property on the western shore of Lake Huron. I took my wife for a number of sailing excursions on our catamaran, and sometimes we’d even strap a life jacket onto the dog and let him join in the fun. But now that fall is here, I’m beginning to think about buying a new toy for next year. The sailboat provides a relaxing experience, but I’m looking for some adventure.

One of my friends recommended that I look into the personal water craft market. I’ve ridden waverunners in the past, but only at parties. Come to think of it, I’ve never really had a bad time zipping through the surf on a personal water craft. I’m going to wait until spring to make the purchase – that way I can save on storage costs – but in the meantime I’ve already started preparing myself mentally.

For instance, I found some information online about proper safety procedures onboard a waverunner in addition to some maintenance tips. It seems that keeping the craft well lubricated with Yamaha 2w oil is among the top priorities. Beyond that, I’ve also let the kids know that they’re in for a real surprise when spring comes. I can’t wait to see their faces when I suddenly appear, bursting through the waves on a personal water craft.

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Don’t Let that Fuel System Corrode in the Offseason

boat-at-dock

You’ve done everything right so far. When it came time to winterize your boat, you followed every solid piece of advice, from flushing the outboard engine with fresh water to disconnecting the fuel hose and changing the gear oil. Unfortunately, there’s one minor detail you may have overlooked, and it’s a doozie. It’s just as important to care for your engine and its components during the offseason as it is during the height of summer.

While your boat is still being used regularly, you’re always diligent about replenishing the supply of bulk oil, so don’t skimp on the essentials during winter. You’ll need to implement a fuel additive – a stabilizer specifically – to ensure that the fuel system doesn’t corrode from disuse. During the summer, most of the varnish and other assorted buildup in the fuel system is flushed out as the engine is in regular use.

These additives keep the system well lubricated so that rust and corrosion don’t build up on the bare metal parts in the fuel system. Since it’s nearly impossible as well as unadvisable to drain all of the water out of your fuel system, additives keep excess water at bay, preventing varnish and sludge from depositing inside the injectors, carburetors and other vital parts of the engine.

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Mercury Marine’s Latest Offer

mercury-engine-oil

September is a bittersweet month for many boaters; when the cool winds begin to blow, we know it won’t be long before it’s time to take those small vessels out of the water and into storage for winterization. Unless you’re lucky enough to live in an area where there’s open water all year long, these same thoughts are probably running through your head. Mercury Marine, manufacturers of the two-cycle OptiMax engines, has timed its latest promotion with the end of the boating season in mind.

With its “Trade Up America” event, Mercury is offering sizable rebates – ranging from $300 to $1,000 – when boat owners upgrade to a fuel-efficient OptiMax outboard. According to one Mercury representative, the event has been timed to coincide with the start of the winterizing process, when boat owners are starting to think ahead about next year. The offer is valid through Halloween.

It wasn’t long ago that outboard motor manufacturers came under fire from the Environmental Protection Agency, inspiring them to up their fuel-efficiency standards. These days, Mercury engine oil is specially formulated to meet rigorous lubricity and viscosity guidelines. The net effect is that engines like the OptiMax can run with tremendous power and efficiency, all without taking a serious toll on the environment.

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Never Mess with a Biker’s Oil

bikers

My father’s motorcycle club is called the Black Bandits. A group of burly old men in their fifties, they wear – or should I say squeeze into – leather pants, jean jackets and colorful bandanas. They ride around our small town every Sunday, revving their engines, racing through the streets and howling like coyotes. All of this is actually embarrassing to admit, but it’s also something I need to vent about.

During the workweek they tune their bikes at Dale’s Greasy Garage down on Oleander Street. And as they work they are notorious for pulling pranks on each other. One day Curly Sue replaced Dad’s Mercury engine oil with olive oil, and that’s when all the drama unfolded. In retaliation, he filled Sue’s tailpipe with Cheetos and maple syrup. The chaos of it all went back and forth for weeks until one day Dad said, “Let’s make call it truce, only if you agree never to mess with my oil again, it’s just plain wrong!” And the rest is history.

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