The better the oil you put in your motor, the better your boat is going to run. Look into high-quality Yamaha oil, which will keep your engine lubricated and running smoothly without any wear.
Yamaha oil will also keep you engine clean and safe for the environment, and extend the life of the engine at the same time. So, don’t just go for the sale price. Choose a quality product when it comes to shopping for oil.
When choosing what kind of oil to use in your outboard engine, it’s not always wise to go with whatever’s cheap. In order to keep your motor running smoothly and for quite some time, do a little research into what type of oil will best suit your boat. Don’t scrimp on oil, because it will just cause you problems later.
One type of recommended oil is Yamalube outboard motor oil. It’s a mineral oil that has anti-wear protection against piston wear and binding, which extends the life of the engine. It also promotes enhanced cleanliness of the engine components, anticorrosion and antirust components, leads to low levels of exhaust smoke, and has a low aquatic toxicity, among many other features.
It may be difficult to choose the correct oil for your boat sometimes. There are so many varieties and manufacturers and promises of perfect performance out there, it can be a little overwhelming. But one myth to dispel early on – your oil brand and boat manufacturer don’t have to match up. That is, if you’re running a Yamaha boat, it isn’t completely necessary to use yamalube oil – though it is recommended.
When choosing your oil, make sure it will perform all the necessary functions, is at a price you can afford, and is compatible with your boat. There is a wide variety of oil types and brands available at www.domo-online.com. Happy hunting.
Whether you should be using synthetic or organic oil in for your outboard motor oil is really a matter of personal preference. Both will serve the engine well, and have their own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the differences between synthetic and organic motor oil:
Organic oil is extracted from crude oil during the refining process, and may maintain some impurities. Synthetic oil is artificially made from other compounds, and includes specially designed performance enhancing additives.
Synthetic oil has several advantages over regular, such as a high viscosity index, a higher flash point, lower pour point, and very low volatility. But, synthetic oil is more expensive and in more limited quantities than organic oil. Most agree that synthetic oil is a better choice, but not as many choose it because it can be three to four times pricier.
Fuel prices are constantly fluctuating between high and really high these days, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting the best deal you can. Here are some fuel-saving tips when it comes to boating, according to Yamaha-motor.com:
• Perform basic maintenance, such as changing the spark plugs and outboard oil.
• Choose the most efficient propeller for your boat, and make sure there are no nicks or scratches in it. These flaws can cause a loss of grip and will reduce efficiency.
• Don’t carry extra weight if it’s unnecessary – it uses more fuel.
• Avoid wind and waves. Traveling over smooth water uses less fuel.
• Keep the boat clean. Anything stuck to the bottom of the boat increases friction.
• Switch to a four-stroke motor – they’re more fuel efficient than two-strokes.
The biggest mechanical difference between two and four-stroke motor is in the internal processes. A two-stroke motor completes four different internal processes – intake, compression, power and exhaust – in two strokes of the piston, while the four-stroke completes those same four processes in four strokes.
Because the two-stroke is operating at a higher rate, it tends to be more powerful than a four-stroke motor. The two-stroke motor is lighter, simpler to build, and is popular in chainsaws, outboard motors, jet-skis, and many others. The two-stroke motor operates best on two-cycle oil. It is, however, extremely inefficient and is an excessive polluter due to the amount of unused fuel that escapes through the exhaust port.
The four-stroke motors have to meet emissions and fuel standards, and are the environmentally-friendly choice of the two. Four-stroke motors cost less, and are cheaper to run and maintain. They are heavier than two-stroke motors, though, which may restrict in what capacities they can be used.
In such an uncertain economy, the thought of buying or maintaining a boat – an expensive endeavor – may seem a little outlandish. Boat sales are down substantially as the price of materials and oil steadily rise. According to the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association, 2007 new boat sales totaled $14.4 billion, a five percent decrease from 2006. Boat manufacturers are struggling to find technologies that will decrease prices and draw in customers.
But despite the sagging economy and skyrocketing prices, sales of outboard motors have been holding on steadily. Due to advances in fuel efficiency and emissions reductions, particularly through an emphasis on four-stroke technologies, outboard motors have been carving their niche in the unsteady world of boat sales. Those looking to buy a new boat, or those who just want to keep theirs in good shape, should go the route of the outboard motor, and invest in a case of bulk oil before prices can get any higher. The economy may get worse before it gets better, but at least boat enthusiasts can find some hope.
Many people regularly perform oil changes for their cars and trucks themselves. It’s cheaper than getting it done at a repair shop, and can be done at the owner’s leisure. But not as many consider this option when it comes to changing the oil in the outboard motor on their boat or snowmobile.
Some tips for changing the oil in a two-cycle engine:
• The motor should have three ports: an upper and a lower plug, and a vent on top. To drain, remove the lower plug first, then the upper.
• Refill with two cycle oil, from the bottom. Continue filling until the oil spills out of the top vent.
• Cap off the vents and plugs.
It’s also a good time to replace the seals on the vents and plugs when changing the oil, and to look for metal shavings in the old oil. Shavings are normal, but an excessive amount means the oil should be changed more often.
A 2 stroke engine is similar to the common 4 stroke engine, except that it completes the same four processes in two strokes of the piston rather than four. This creates a power stroke for every revolution of the crank, instead of every second revolution. Two stroke engines provide high power for this reason, and are often used in portable, lightweight situations, such as motors and chainsaws.
When dealing with a 2 stroke engine, it’s important to use 2 stroke oil to ensure the engine will operate properly.
As autumn ushers in the cold weather that can be destructive to outboard motors, boat owners should think about the steps it takes to prepare their vessels for winter. The first step in getting an outboard motor ready for the winter is to remove all remaining gas from the carburetor – either by adding a gas stabilizer and running the engine until it dies, or draining and storing the gas for next season. Once the gas has been emptied, it’s safe to remove the motor and begin draining and refilling the lower gear unit.
Old gear lubricant should be drained from the lower gear unit and replaced with fresh lubricant to prevent rusting, freezing or breakage. The spark plugs should also be replaced when preparing an outboard motor for winter. Once they’ve been removed, an aerosol commercial fogger should be sprayed into the spark plug hole to prevent the piston and cylinder walls from corroding. After fogging the cylinder, rotate the engine flywheel to distribute the outboard motor oil on the cylinder walls, and finish with new spark plugs.
And even though the gas has been drained from the motor, the fuel filter should be removed and cleaned to drain any remaining trapped gas. If these preparative steps are taken every year, your motor should be running smoothly when spring rolls around.
A recent post focused on sterndrives, and Mercruiser by Mercury Marine is the most popular one available in America. Mercruiser exposes engine systems to rigorous testing in the toughest conditions to assist in the development of some of the strongest and most reliable sterndrive packages in the industry. They cast components in special alloys and utilize computer-controlled painting processes that have withstood immersion and corrosion testing. Mercruisers also include an expanded passageway in the exhaust elbow to prevent saltwater from clogging the system. The standard production gas sterndrive and inboard packages by Mercruiser are protected by Mercury Marine’s three-year limited warranty against corrosion failure. Check your operation and maintenance manual for complete information regarding warranty.
Power steering is standard on all Mercruiser sterndrives 4.3L and larger and are optional on the 3.0L. 3- and 6-inch risers to further prevent saltwater clogging are optional on all Mercruiser sterndrives and inboards with the exception of the 3.0L. Remote oil filters are standard on all gas fuel-injected sterndrives, Bluewater inboards, diesel engines, and are available as a kit for all carburetor sterndrive models. There is an audio warning system mounted under the helm to alert the boater to low Mercury engine oil pressure, high engine temperature, and other potentially damaging engine conditions which is standard on all gas and diesel models, available as a kit on the 3.0L sterndrives.
An ultralight boat, or flying boat, is a hang glider wing mounted on a small inflatable boat with an outboard engine. The hull is made to meet rescue boat standards, the hull is designed for crosswind landings, and there is the capability to connect a parachute for emergency purposes. In the United States, it is not necessary to hold a pilot’s license to fly a boat of this nature, but there are industry groups who regulate their operation, such as the United States Ultralight Association (USUA). There are different ratings that have to be earned to drive a craft such as this, such as that of a Basic Flight Instructor (BFI). If you live outside the United States, you need to check with local air authorities for the most current regulations being enforced in your area.
There are many rules governing the flying of ultralight boats. If you are outside the U.S., you will need to check with local air authorities for your area. Inside the U.S., your craft cannot be rented out for profit, and it is unlawful to have a passenger aboard unless you are a rated instructor training a student. (Aerosports Connections has a website that may be able to provide more information on student training guidelines.) In the U.S., an ultralight boat may be flown in areas that meet requirements for ultralight aircraft, largely non-congested areas that are located in uncontrolled airspace. You may not fly near airports, nuclear plants, military bases, or cities, and you are not permitted to land your ultralight boat in state or national parks. It is also not generally a good idea to land on private lakes. The maximum cruising level for an ultralight boat in the United States is 8,000 feet, but many say 1,000 feet is an optimum altitude-trees can be cleared, but visibility is clear at this level, weather permitting. You must land and take off on water, and there needs to be about 200 feet of free water to take off or land and it should be an absolute minimum of six feet deep.In terms of ultralight boat safety, the best practice is to maintain the craft-keeping plenty of bulk outboard motor oil on hand–and respect the weather!
