E-TEC Engine: Saving the Two-Stroke Industry

e-tec_engine_003.jpgJust a decade ago, the face of the small boating industry was dramatically different. Environmentally conscious boaters were disenchanted with the two-stroke engines of the era – inefficiency and a propensity to pollute had placed them firmly behind their four-stroke counterparts. If that weren’t already enough to signal the two-stroke’s demise, the Environmental Protection Agency set rigorous pollution standards for snowmobiles, personal water craft and other recreational vehicles that utilized two-stroke motors.

The two-stroke renaissance came just in the nick of time – when Evinrude introduced the revolutionary line of E-TEC engines. For years two-stroke engineers had been caught in a serious dilemma – how could they increase the engine’s power while simultaneously cutting emissions? They found their answer in a device known as the Lorentz coil, which had previously been used exclusively for audio technology. The E-TEC fuel injection system also helps keep pollution to a minimum.

Even if the EPA were to place further restrictions on two-stroke engines, the E-TEC could stand pat as a leader in its field. According to one Evinrude executive, the engine only burns 1 percent of the total intake, and the oil doesn’t mix with gasoline. The engine requires very little maintenance, but regular oil checks are recommended. As with any outboard motor, it’s important to keep things well lubricated with Evinrude outboard oil.

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More Outboard Motor Thefts Reported

More Outboard Motor Thefts Reported

Less than a month after reports of widespread outboard motor thefts rocked the Florida Keys, boaters in Reno, Nev., are reporting similar troubles. According to local police and the Reno Gazette-Journal, at least eight outboards have been reported stolen in the last four months. Although authorities suspect a connection between the incidents, thieves were indiscriminant about stealing the motors. Five were taken from residences, one from a commercial business and two from storage yards.

As always, incidents like this should serve as a stern reminder – no pun intended – to keep meticulous watch over marine engines when they aren’t in use. There are a number of preventative steps boaters can take in order to deter theft. The most obvious and perhaps most effective measure requires that boat owners remove the motor from their boats and put them indoors for storage.

Other ideas include installing an outboard motor lock, putting a motion detector in the storage area, or even chaining the boat and the trailer to a permanent object. Boaters are always encouraged to take proper care of their outboard during the boating season by lubricating liberally with 2 stroke oil, but offseason care is just as important. Outboard motor theft is a very real threat, so take the time to protect your investment.

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Keep Your Motor Running

Keep Your Motor Running

In a perfect world, we’d all take advantage of these warm summer days by taking the boat out on the lake – to fish or maybe just relax. In reality, however, hectic work schedules and the drudgery of the daily grind have a tendency to get in the way of a boat enthusiast’s true passion. There’s nothing worse than returning to your craft after weeks or months away and finding that the engine won’t start.

Don’t worry, you aren’t being punished by the boating gods for spending too much time on land. It’s just that an outboard motor’s fuel system can become clogged from underuse. As a result, you might need to siphon any excess water or solids out of the fuel tank and hosing. There are two simple ways to keep this situation from ruining your day: run your engine regularly and perform routine maintenance checks.

First, make sure that your supply of Yamalube 2m oil is topped off. Then study the area near the propeller for excess oil residue. If you notice significant buildup, it could mean a problem with the lower gear case. Finally, investigate the fuel system for leaks. Once these daily checks are performed, you can feel confident that your outboard motor is in tip-top shape.

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Horsepower: Don’t Overdo It

Horsepower: Don't Overdo ItThe lower-horsepower outboards highlighted yesterday are perfectly suitable for inflatables, canoes and other small craft, but what about those who want to step up their performance? Mid-range engines are tailor-made for fishermen and other boaters who appreciate the capability of traveling several miles at a time. Outboard motors in the 20 to 35 hp range fit the bill, providing crucial mobility for light fiberglass vessels and sailboats.

In general, you should select your ideal horsepower based on a boat’s weight and a boat owner’s desired level of mobility. It might take a 90 hp engine just to get a large pontoon or deck boat to plane. A sailboat won’t require a motor this large, however. Larger engines that generate excess horsepower can actually weigh down and impede the progress of a small boat.

Once you’ve selected an outboard motor with the proper size and power, it’s important to keep the engine well-tuned. By purchasing bulk motor oil, you can ensure that you’ll always have easy access to lubricant when it’s time to perform engine maintenance. This in turn will extend the life of your motor and allow you to enjoy many more summers out on the lake.

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Exploring Lightweight Outboards

Exploring Lightweight Outboards

Yesterday, we discussed the bare essentials of outboard motors. Today, we continue our series of posts geared toward beginners – boat enthusiasts in the making who want to revel in what’s left of the glorious summer season. After establishing that you do in fact want to invest in an outboard motor of some kind, it’s time to investigate and compare a few small engines in terms of horsepower.

Engines in the 2 to 4 hp range are almost exclusively 2-stroke outboards. They are intended to be used with inflatables, small sailboats or other lightweight craft. A larger motor, while more powerful, would be overdoing it for these boats; it would weigh them down rather than provide more speed. The next class of engine, ranging from 5 to 8 hp, could be referred to as mid-range motors suitable for trolling and slightly bigger sailboats. Those in the 10 to 18 hp range are even more powerful and suitable for long distance travel. If you’re trolling around with two or more passengers, these are a safe bet.

Whichever class of engine you choose, be sure to take steps to extend its lifespan through careful maintenance. The most simple yet constantly overlooked aspect of outboard maintenance has to be the addition of fresh outboard oil. Lubrication is the key to a smooth-running, long-lasting engine.

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Back to Basics

Back to Basics

August is a month tailor-made for dreaming. There are no holidays in sight until Labor Day, so we’re left to spend these muggy days sitting in office buildings, thinking about where we’d rather be. For most red-blooded Americans, that place is the middle of a lake, fishing and basking in the sun. If you’re planning on taking the plunge and purchasing a small boat, there are a few things you should know about outboard motors.

The good news is that outboards are relatively simple engines. This makes them easy to troubleshoot and repair, although in many cases you’ll still want a professional to handle the more intricate work. The anatomy of an outboard consists of a simple engine, a cooling system, some wiring, a gearbox, propeller and driveshaft. All of these elements are contained in one package that is hung securely from the stern of a boat.

Speed control on a small boat could be likened to that of a lawnmower. In both cases, a throttle controls the flow of gas to the engine. The boat’s steering can either be done electronically or manually by moving a tiller, which points the propeller in different directions. Outboard motors should be kept well lubricated with Evinrude XD100 oil or an oil of comparable quality.

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Getting the Most out of Your Engine

Getting the Most out of Your Engine

For boaters on a budget, extending the life of an outboard motor becomes a top priority. Brand-new outboards can be expensive, so it’s important to care for them with proper maintenance and storage techniques. Whether you take your craft out on the lake every day or only take her for a spin a few times a year, constant upkeep is the key to engine longevity.

Certain tasks should be completed every time you hit the water. First of all, make sure the oil tank is topped off with Evinrude XD100 oil or some other quality lubricant. You’ll also want to check the area surrounding the propeller for excess oil buildup – a textbook sign of inadequate sealing. If your lower gear case has sprung a leak, take the outboard motor to a repair shop; it should be salvageable, but the job might not come cheap.

Some boat owners prefer to detach their outboards once the boat is out of the water. In that case, an outboard motor stand might be of some use. These items keep the motor upright and secure during storage. They are also potentially useful during the process of transporting your motor from place to place. Once you’ve learned to approach engine maintenance and storage in a serious manner, you’re well on your way to extending the life of your outboard motor.

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Winterizing Your Boat

Winterizing Your Boat

In most parts of America, small boat owners should expect to get a few more good months out of their vessels before it’s time to look into winter storage options. And of course there are those who live in temperate climates where one can enjoy boating all year round. For those who need to close down shop for the winter, however, there are a number of crucial maintenance measures that need to be put into place.

Assuming that the boat’s outboard motor has been kept in tip-top shape with Evinrude XD100 oil or some similar product, the following steps should be simple and painless. The first point to address is condensation that can build up in fuel lines during the winter. In order to prevent this from occurring, fill the gas tank completely and add a fuel stabilizer. Then start the motor and allow it to run for a few minutes so that the fuel and stabilizer can filter through the system.

Next, you’ll need to apply fogging oil to the carburetor. Just before the boat is put into storage, spray the fogging oil into the cylinders. Take the opportunity to scour the housing and then apply anti-corrosion spray to the electrical wires and connections. Once this is done you can focus on traditional methods of cleaning – spraying your boat down and waxing the exterior if desired. Don’t forget to disconnect the battery as well. If you don’t recharge it every month or so during the winter you’ll need a new battery by springtime.

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Evinrude through the Ages

Evinrude through the Ages

Yesterday’s post highlighted the inventive nature of outboard motor innovator Ole Evinrude. Today, let’s take a look at a few trials and tribulations the Evinrude company has faced throughout its long and storied history. The company’s first major competitor, Johnson Motors, got its start in a Terre Haute, Ind., garage. Johnson focused its attention on planes and boats, releasing the world’s first heavy outboard engine in 1926. The stock market crash hit Johnson especially hard, and Evinrude managed to buy up controlling shares of the company. The Outboard Marine and Manufacturing Corporation, or OMC, was born.

Business boomed during most of the rest of the 20th century, but things took a turn for the worse in 2000. With flagging sales and an inability to cope with increasingly strict environmental standards, OMC announced bankruptcy. That’s where Bombardier Recreational Products came in. The Canadian company purchased the Evinrude and Johnson brands and strove to uphold their proud tradition. The company has continued to produce high-quality Evinrude XD100 oil among many other products for boating enthusiasts.

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Spirit of Invention

Spirit of Invention

Innovation is almost always born out of necessity. History’s great tinkerers and inventors used the limited knowledge at their disposal to solve modern problems. And we in turn reap the benefits of those breakthroughs. The work of boat engine mogul Ole Evinrude is a perfect example. One hundred years ago this month, Evinrude changed the American boating landscape by inventing what is now called the outboard motor.

In August of 1909, Ole Evinrude wasn’t exactly a household name. He had distinguished himself as a machinist while employed for a number of machine tool companies in the Midwest, but he probably would have never dreamed of attaining fame in the boating world. On a fateful August day, Evinrude was enjoying a picnic with his girlfriend on a small island in the middle of a lake. The girl suddenly mentioned her hankering for ice cream, and Evinrude was eager to please. He rowed across the lake to an ice cream shop, bought the confection and turned back.

Before he reached the island, however, the ice cream had melted in the sun. This gave him an idea: Why not attach a motor that would propel his boat without the need for rowing? From there, Evinrude began to tinker until he came up with a workable model. He wouldn’t approve an engine design unless it worked perfectly. This attitude has remained an integral part of the company a century later. The Evinrude brand has expanded to include a variety of specialized engines, tools, and high-quality 2-cycle oil such as Evinrude XD100 oil. There’s no telling what innovations the next 100 years will bring.

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Considering Boat Insurance

Considering Boat Insurance

As summer begins to wind down, many boat owners begin taking stock of their vessel – seeing to any late-season repairs and making plans for the offseason. In the wake of a recent rash of outboard motor thefts in the Florida Keys, boat owners are taking extra care to ensure that their investments remain protected for the years to come. In many cases, this requires exploring the ins and outs of boat insurance.

It’s a common misconception that boat insurance covers the craft exclusively. Depending on the plan, boat owners can cover practically any unfortunate eventuality. The most basic plans cover collision damages, fire and lightning. Beyond that, most plans also protect against the threat of vandalism and theft. But that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Many policies extend far beyond the boat itself to cover machinery, outboard motors, boat trailers and personal property that may be attached.

Now that August has arrived and many seasonal boat operations will be ceasing within a few months, it’s as good a time as any to assess the state of your small boat. Whether or not you invest in an insurance plan, it’s always a good idea to keep your boat and its components well maintained. Providing the motor with satisfactory lubrication – as provided by Mercury engine oil – can effectively extend its life. That means more time to have fun in the sun.

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Dealing with Saltwater Corrosion

Dealing with Saltwater Corrosion

For those who make a habit of using their small boats in salt water, a unique problem begins to crop up. Although most quality outboard motors are built to run in any water conditions, they become susceptible to the effects of wind and weather over time. Even if your engine is initially protected by a few coats of primer and paint, the elements have a way of getting through. Despite your best efforts at keeping an engine running smooth with Yamaha 2m oil, there are other factors that also must be considered.

Now that summer is beginning to wind slowly to a close, it’s a good time to check your outboard for outward appearances of wear. Saltwater corrosion starts as an aesthetic problem, but it can spiral into a mechanical one in no time. Take a close look at the paintwork, inspecting for blisters or bubbles. You might notice that some of these irregularities are solid, and others have burst to emit slight trails of whitish aluminum oxide.

In order to remedy this problem you’ll need to remove the engine and place it on dry land. Using a degreasing agent, remove all traces of dirt. After it dries, take an electric drill and a heavy brush and eliminate any flaking paint, rust and salt deposits from the engine’s surface. Fill in any dents or dings with putty, and then sand the result until it appears consistent. Finish by adding primer and final coats of paint.

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