boat motor oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

Roche Harbor

For those of you who love boating and history, you’ll want to check out Roche Harbor. The highlight of the unincorporated community is the Hotel de Haro. The wrap around porches and meticulous gardens invite you to really soak in the impressive views.

Another unique detail of Roche Harbor is the sunset ritual of playing the U.S. and Canadian anthems. Though the island is part of the United States, it sits right on the border and has a history that is linked with the formerly British Canada. Personally, I think it’s an interesting salute to the island’s history. It’s one of the spectacles I look forward to when I break out my boat motor oil for a day at the harbor.

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Every 100 Hours

Every 100 hours of use, I change out the filter and oil on my WaveRunner VX 1100. The sporty Yamaha WaveRunner has held up very well over the years, due in no small part to my meticulous maintenance. It’s all part of my philosophy of pride in ownership that was instilled in me by my father.

I’m trying to instill the same values in my kids. The next 100 hours will probably be reached this weekend. At that time I’ll insist that my two teenage children assist me with replacing the WaveRunner oil and filter.

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Fly Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles two states, Tennessee and North Carolina, and has some of the country’s best streams for fly fishing. Brook trout are native to the waters and brown and rainbow trout were added later to the area and have thrived. Recent droughts have triggered tighter restrictions on fishing in the park, but it still a must-see for avid fishermen and women.

If you’re looking to capture trophy fish, then Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn’t for you. The fish in the park are smaller – having adapted to their environment – but it is the terrain and degree of difficulty in catching some of the more elusive species that makes the site such a big draw. Although you can fish from dry land, you should still bring your boat, and plenty of boat motor oil, to try out some of the waters in and around the park.

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State College, PA

State College, PA is best known for being home to Penn State, and more importantly, Penn State football. I’m no Penn State fan (they’re a rival to my alma mater when it comes to football recruitment), but they do have some impressive trout fishing. The spring fed streams are referred to as “limestoners” and are home to brown trout all year round.

Spring Creek is my favorite spot, although Little Juniata is pretty good, too. The Green Drake mayfly hatch is world renowned. State College is definitely on my list of places to travel to in the next few years. I just have to figure out how to get my outboard, amalie oil, and other necessities across the country at an affordable rate.

 

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Winterizing a Boat Part I

This past weekend I took the family out to the lake for the last time this summer. The kids are back in school and my wife and I have work, so their just won’t be as much time or good weather to take the boat out. This upcoming weekend I plan on winterizing the boat.

The first thing I’ll do is thoroughly wash and clean the entire boat. I’ll make sure to leave the storage bins open so they don’t collect moisture and mold over during the off-season. Once the boat is completely cleansed, I’ll make a list of repairs that need to be taken care of before the boat is taken out again next season. Tomorrow I’ll address what to do with outboard motor oil.

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Great Gifts for Boaters This Holiday Season: Part 5

This installment of gifts for boaters covers a unique gift you might not have considered. Personalized apparel and accessories can make being on the water more fun than ever. Indulging in the enjoyment of our time on the water is a great way to make the boating experience better for the seasoned boater, their family and their friends. With unique personalized gear and apparel you can make your guests feel like a part of the team or even part of the family the next time you head out.

Whether it’s the name of your boat or the company logo, this is a great way to impress your guests and friends. And because it’s unique you can count on the boater in your life to truly appreciate it. It’s a gift that really does keep on giving and lets them know you care. So next time they’re on the water you know they’ll be thinking of you and appreciating a thoughtful gift that’s sure to surprise.

Also check out Evinrude XD50 oil for premium-quality 2-cycle engine oil.

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Fuel Economy Tip 6

Our sixth installment of fuel saving tips for boating enthusiasts is another critical step in ensuring you’re spending less at the pump this boating season. It’s really a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how often people forget this important money saving piece. It’s absolutely essential that you get to know and understand all of your gauges. When you know your gauges you’ll be able to better study them.

Readings like speed, rpm and fuel consumption will give you the information you need to easily find your boat’s ideal planning speed. If you’ve installed a fuel flow meter you can even monitor fuel usage in real time. This gives you a huge advantage as it allows for accurate adjustment of trim and throttle. The bottom line is, the better you know your gauges the better equipped you’ll be to make navigational and operational decisions while on the water. And don’t forget the optimum outboard motor oil to further maximize your fuel savings.

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Pre-Season Snow Mobile Maintenance: Part Two

While you are conducting the exterior inspection, thoroughly examine the skis and runners for any signs of wear or damage. The runners should be straight and there shouldn’t be any holes, nicks, gouges or scrapes. Now that we’ve examined the outside of the snowmobile, it’s time to bring out the tools and get under the hood.

Begin by greasing all of the fittings and removing any rust or buildup. It’s important to grease all of the fittings each year to ensure their integrity and longevity. Just as your Evinrude oil maintains the inner workings, the grease keeps the fittings in pristine condition. You should have drained any excess gasoline prior to putting the vehicle into storage; if you didn’t, now is the time to.

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What Does Motor Oil Do? Part Three

One of the functions we don’t usually associate with marine engine oil is cooling. In most vehicles, the antifreeze concoction in the cooling system only does about 60% of the work when it comes to cooling the engine. Not only does oil cool the engine as it pulses through the system, it also controls the temperature by reducing friction.

Many of the grooves and spaces in-between the fittings on the engine leave microscopic openings in the system where pressure normally would be able to escape. However, the oil works its way into these gaps and creates a seal, effectively improving the engine’s efficiency. Additives in the oil now help reduce foam, allowing the oil to function to its full capabilities.

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Boat Engine Maintenance 101: Making a Plan

Every boat owner—without exception—needs to know the fundamentals of engine maintenance in order to prevent long-term damage and have the ability to make adjustments when they’re on the water. Before we delve into the specifics, it’s crucial to get an understanding of the end goal of engine maintenance. Not only do you want to prevent long-term corrosion and wear, you also want to ensure that your boat is performing at its maximum capacity.

The biggest catch-22 about engine maintenance is that although your vessel is constantly in the water, water—and salt water in particular—is the engine’s worst enemy. Water is corrosive in and of itself, but it also facilitates the growth of fungus and other microbes. To that end, it’s imperative that you maintenance plan includes measures to prevent corrosion and protect against water damage. Over the next couple of days, we’ll be covering everything from how to mix your gasoline and outboard motor oil, to basic steps you can take to maintain your cooling system.

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Motor Oil: What is Sludge?

Sludge has been a star of gasoline ads for the last several years, but do you even know what it is or why you need to be protected against it. Oil will oxidize over time, and when this happens the additives in the oil separate out. These additives consequently breakdown and solidify, then are heated and turned into a gooey, viscous substance we now refer to as sludge.

The obvious question is how do you get rid of and prevent sludge; and unfortunately there’s no easy answer. Flushing the engine can be effective, but you also risk simply flushing the pieces of sludge to a more recessed part of the engine. The best way to handle sludge is by preventing it in the first place. You can do this by changing your oil regularly and only using premium products like Evinrude or Yamaha oil.

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Winterizing Your Boat: Part Three

After you’ve flushed the system, use a pickup hose to pump some antifreeze through the manifold. This will require you to gain access to the engine room, and while you’re there you’ll want to change the transmission fluid as well. Take out each of the spark plugs and spray some fogging oil into each cylinder. Finally, wipe down the entire engine with some fogging oil, WD-40 or other lubricant.

Stern drives have a tendency to pick up barnacles and aquatic flora during the season, so you’ll want to remove any of these growths from the lower unit. Drain all of the fluid from the gear case and be sure there isn’t any excess moisture in the two cycle oil, which is an indication that your seals are leaking. Thoroughly clean the lower unit with soap and water, apply grease to the system and check all of the necessary fuel levels.

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