How to Save Money on Boating

In these tricky economic times, there are many small ways to cut corners and save a buck or two while still enjoying boating. One is to stagger your boat trip schedule, perhaps alternating weekends rather than going every weekend, trying to go during times when the most family and friends are available to make the most of the experience. Another is to have fellow boaters chip in when buying bulk motor oil, sharing the costs and saving you all money in the long run.

Small things can also make your boat more fuel-efficient. Cleaning the barnacle and plant residue from the bottom of the boat will reduce the friction and allow the boat to move faster without impediments. Remove excess weight from your boat in the form of heavy objects you may not use. Change the oil every 100 operating hours and replace the air filter, which must be clean for the best fuel efficiency. Ease on your acceleration when taking off, which greatly reduces the amount of fuel burned, and idling your engine as little as possible will waste less fuel. Try fuel additives after doing some research. While some fuel additives on the market are not worthwhile, there are a few that are beneficial for your engine’s fuel efficiency. Fuel up in the morning if you can; gas is considered more dense when there is less heat in the air, so in the morning, you can get more fuel for your dollar. And finally, consider investing in a fuel meter or fuel computer if you do not already have one. These devices give you instant feedback on your fuel burning rate, allowing you to make immediate adjustments to improve it if you can.

Did you like this? Share it:

Evinrude E-Tec Motors

The power and performance of your boat’s outboard motor can make the difference whether your fishing trip is just average or one that you’ll always remember. (This memorable picture from last week, courtesy of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, shows David Hayes holding a 21-pound, 1-ounce channel catfish. His three-year-old granddaughter Alyssa holds the Barbie fishing rod Mr. Hayes used to catch this state record-breaker. She had asked him to hold her fishing rod for a minute!)

Evinrude E-Tec outboard motors do not need maintenance for the first three years or 300 miles of normal recreational use, including Evinrude outboard oil, oil filter, and gearcase lube changes during this initial warranty period. These engineers are lighter and quieter than previous models, start more easily, provide better fuel economy and lower emissions, and use an exclusive low-friction design resulting in very smooth performance.

Did you like this? Share it:

More About TC3-W Oil

Yesterday, I discussed the gradual phasing of TCW-2 into TCW-3 oil and answered a few questions about the use of the older oil, why and how it has evolved into TCW-3, etc. It was asked whether premixed TCW-3 oil could for other machines, such as chainsaws, motorcycles, and landscaping equipment without detriment. The “W” that is sometimes present in the name (there is also TC-3 oil) stands for “water-cooled” and is not necessary for an air-cooled engine. Another inquiry that arose was why TCW-3 oils sometimes showed color variations. The answer is that there are different suppliers who use different dyes, strictly for identification purposes, but the oils are formulated exactly the same.

Modern marine engine oil is carefully formulated for premium engine performance, environmental compatibility, and contains the additives now mandated by the federal government for clean, efficient and safe operation of your boat, as I discussed in yesterday’s blog. Many would recommend not cutting corners when it comes to oil, and I would agree with that assessment. Use the best within your budget, mixing it as directions dictate.

Did you like this? Share it:

TCW-2 Oil and Older Outboard Motors

Owner’s manuals for outboard motors made in 1992 or prior used to state that premium fuel was required for proper operation, because during that time, premium outboard motor fuel was manufactured containing additives that minimized the formation of deposits inside the engines. During those years, the best oil available was rated at TCW-2 and did not contain the detergents and carbon preservative ingredients that marine engine oil such as XD-30, XD-50, and XD-100 does today. The federal government ruled in the late 1990s that all grades of fuel were required to include identical additive ingredients, and the premium fuel requirement for outboard motors was discontinued.

If you still have some TC2-W outboard motor oil, it can still be used in a motor from 1992 or before. If you choose to use TC2-W oil in an older motor, Evinrude recommends addition of a product such as Carbon Guard to lessen carbon deposit formation. Be aware, however, that using TCW-2 oil in a motor that requires TCW-3 oil will void your warranty should any oil-related malfunction occur.

Did you like this? Share it:

Price of Oil Still Rising This Week

Crude oil prices increased by over $1 a barrel yesterday as a declining dollar encouraged investors to buy stocks as an inflation hedge, or investment intended to protect against risk of inflation. (Natural resources operations stocks are one of the most popular commodities used as an inflation hedge, as its value predictably rises with inflation.)

“At this stage, the gyrations of the dollar are the primary movers of the oil market,” said Nauman Barakat, senior vice president of global energy futures at Macquarie Futures USA, Inc. in New York. “The focus will remain on the value of the dollar against the euro.” The price of bulk oil is up about 59% from a year ago.

(Information Courtesy of Bloomberg News)

Did you like this? Share it:

A Good Question!

In the last couple of blogs, we’ve covered some basic fuel and oil questions in regard to boating. One frequently asked question that was not previously addressed was, “I have some outboard motor oil that has been sitting on the shelf for a few years. Is it any good? Can I still use it?”

The answer is: shake it up a bit and it should be fine. It may need to be room temperature to perform at its best, so avoid extreme heat or cold.

Did you like this? Share it:

What Is Oxygenated Fuel?

What is oxygenated fuel? Oxygenated fuel contains oxygen as part of its chemical makeup. The purpose of fuel oxygenation is often to reduce carbon monoxide levels created while the fuel burns. Usually oxygenates come in the form of gasoline additives, such as alcohol.

Some boaters are concerned with the possibility than an oxygenated fuel can harm their motor and interfere with the performance of their outboard motor oil. Outboard motors can generally tolerate up to 10% alcohol content in fuels, which is the maximum amount allowed by the United States.

Did you like this? Share it:

Got Evinrude Oil?

If it is a new motor, and it is attached to a new Evinrude boat (or a new-to-you boat), congratulations! You may have a question or two about the best care and feeding for this fine machine. For instance, if you are dealing with a two-stroke Evinrude motor, you may be wondering what kind of oil to use. Their suggestions are XD30, XD50 and XD100 oil for two-stroke motors that are 1993 and newer. When it comes to the grade of Evinrude outboard oil to use, 87 octane is the current minimum, but 89 octane is actually preferred. Use of higher-octane fuels have not proven to provide any additional benefit, and may actually exacerbate hard starting conditions in hot weather.

If you are wondering about the proper ratio of fuel to oil for optimal performance in your Evinrude motor, a breakdown given on the company website is as follows: 1958 and prior used 20 parts fuel to 1 part oil; 1959-1963 used 24 parts fuel to 1 part oil; 1964 and newer use 50 parts fuel to 1 part oil. High performance racing usage requires a ratio of 25 parts fuel to 1 part oil. Finally, when it comes to gearcase oil type and capacity, refer to your owner’s manual for specifications.

Did you like this? Share it:

Mercury Builds on Success

Expanding on the success of its 9.9 hp Pro Kicker Four Stroke outboard engine, Mercury Marine has launched its 15 hp Pro Kicker Four Stroke, which also comes in 15 Bigfoot and 15 Prokicker models. The specifications of the straight 15 hp include a maximum rpm of 4500-5500, a water-cooled system, manual or electric starters, tiller or remote steering, standard propellers, and a standing recommendation to use Mercury engine oil.

The 15 Bigfoot model has a larger gearcase designed to haul heavier loads, such as pontoons. This expanded gearcase has a better torque ratio, enabling the use of larger propellers. The 15 Prokicker model is meant to incorporate the best features of the 15 Prokicker Four Stroke, but its construction is purposely lightweight to allow for versatility and use in any number of boating applications.

Did you like this? Share it:

Happy 100th Anniversary, Evinrude!

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), the private company that owns the Evinrude brand, kicked off a year-long celebration of Evinrude’s 100th anniversary on February 14, 2008 at the Miami Boat Show. Always on the cutting edge of boating innovation, Evinrude moves into the future with its line of E-Tec outboard motors, the most environmentally friendly outboard motor in the world. Evinrude also has a popular line of boat motor oil.

“By letting people throw away the oars, Evinrude outboard engines have introduced scores of people to the joys of boating and turned these people into lifelong boating enthusiasts,” Roch Lambert, vice president and general manager of the outboard motor division at BRP, said at the time. “Indeed, in its proud history, Evinrude has sold more engines worldwide than any other outboard manufacturer. People know that buying an Evinrude means buying a trusted brand name that delivers everything they want in an outboard engine,” Mr. Lambert continued.

Did you like this? Share it:

A Fishing Club Can Save You Money On Oil!

One of the possible benefits of joining a fishing club is that members can get together and buy boat motor oil in bulk. Many people join a club initially to try tournament fishing without putting out a lot of money-some clubs even have openings for no-boat fishermen, so you don’t have to get a boat right away.

Different clubs have different formats. Some encourage fishing in teams, while others have individuals fishing alone in tournaments. Many clubs have a theme, such as bass or smallmouth fishing. It is common for fishing clubs to be active in conservation efforts. Some of them promote youth fishing by holding an event for children occasionally. Military bases and colleges often have nearby fishing clubs; there are also women’s fishing clubs, co-ed fishing clubs, and one national association for hearing-impaired bass fishermen with chapters in several states. Many fishing club websites include educational articles and archived newsletters for your information.

Did you like this? Share it:

Conflict Halts Last Week’s Decline in Oil Prices

Recent conflict between Russia and Georgia prevented the market from continuing last week’s 8% declines, and crude oil futures traded flat today. The accelerating conflict is over the Georgian province of South Ossetia and could threaten an oil pipeline in that region that produces 1 million gallons of oil each day.

The bulk oil market is also dependent on the value of the dollar. On Friday, the U. S. dollar was at its highest value against the euro in the last several months. However, some analysts see the weak economy as prevention from raised interest rates by the Federal Reserve, which would be essential to the dollar gaining positive momentum. It is feared that the price of oil could fall as low as $113.15 per barrel on Monday and eventually lead to further declines.

Did you like this? Share it: