bulk oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 6

How Long Does Bulk Oil Last?

Every now and then I like to browse boat forums to see what people are talking about outside of the marina. One question that comes up frequently is how long does bulk oil last? One poster stated that he had recently bought a Mercury oil 55 gallon drum and was now worried that he might lose money on the transaction.

One person replied that oil only has a shelf life of four years. The overwhelming majority, however, replied that that was nonsense; motor boat oil does not have an expiration date. From my experience, bulk oil can last years and years, but you may have to mix it every so often to keep it from jelling.

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Sandbagger Sloop

This past week I’ve been writing extensively about some of the vessels found at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Until now, I had failed to mention the first Mystic Seaport acquisition: Annie. No, not the musical, Annie is the name of a sandbagger sloop donated to Mystic Seaport in 1931. Annie became the first vessel in the now extensive watercraft collection.

Annie was built in 1880 in Mystic by David O. Richmond. The ship was commissioned by Henry H. Tift to use for competitive racing. In 2004 the ship underwent restoration to return it to its former glory. Annie is definitely a sight to be seen. Perhaps this summer I’ll take my own family to Mystic. It might be nice for my kids to see what boats looked like before the advent of marine engine oil.

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Sabino

Only two members survive of the American mosquito fleet. One of the two, called Sabino, is housed at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut. Additionally, Sabino is a National Historic Landmark.

The wooden, coal-fired steamboat was built in 1908 at the W. Irving Adams shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine. The boat has served the entirety of its career as a ferry vessel. Even in its preserved status, patrons of the Mystic Seaport Museum can take a ferry ride on Sabino. Being a passenger aboard Sabino is a wonderful childhood memory of mine, but I much prefer my efficient Johnson outboard motor (filled with Johnson outboard oil) nowadays.

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Hazel Creek

If you’re willing to expend a bit of your bulk outboard motor oil, then you can ride across Lake Fontana to Hazel Creek. At one point, the area surrounding the creek was home to Cherokee and pioneer Appalachian communities which turned into logging towns. The area was not heavily populated, which made it easier to force out the locals in order to incorporate the land into the Great Smoky Mountains National park.

Today, Hazel Creek is now a back country campsite and historical area. Historical sites within the Hazel Creek area are: Calhoun house, Hall Cabin, Ritter Mill site, Adams-Westfeldt Mine site, Proctor Cemetery, and Bone Valley Cemetery. The Proctor Cemetery is of particular note because it is the site where the cabin of Moses and Patience Proctor, the first white settlers, stood.

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Fontana Lake

Fontana Lake borders the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lake is also the northern border of the Nantahala National Forest. Water levels fluctuate throughout the year, but during the summer months the lake is about 17 miles long and perfect for boating activities.

In fact, Fontana Lake provides the only access (other than a grueling multi-day hike) to Hazel Creek, which is one of the most remote areas of Great Smoky Mountains National park. The lake is dotted with inlets, coves, and islands that are worthy of exploration. Labeled my locals as one of the most beautiful lakes in the southeast, Lake Fontana is home to walleye, smallmouth bass, and lake trout. It’s certainly worthy of using some of your bulk oil supply to explore.

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Fish Checklist

In perusing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website I came across a long list of native and non-native fish that are found in the waters running through the park. As mentioned previously, the park is known for its rainbow, brown, and brook trout (of which only the brook trout is considered native, meaning the species lived in the waters prior to European settlement). Other native species include logperch, gilt darter, olive darter, and tangerine darter fish.

TN snubnose darter, Swannanoa darter, wounded darter, and banded darter are also native (are you seeing the trend?). Among non-native species found are walleye, yellow perch, fathead minnow, and sunfish. I’m eager to visit the park to do some fly fishing for these many species, as well as take my boat out in the surrounding areas. First I need to get my shipment of bulk motor oil!

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Grayling, Michigan

Trout Unlimited, the biggest conservation organization, was founded in Grayling, Michigan. This top trout spot is also home to the Au Sable River, home of the largest mayfly in the world, the Hexagenia. The river runs straight through town, so it’s no wonder that the locals care so much.

Nearby is Manistee another river that is closer to a spring or creek. Fox and Two Hearted rivers are nearby as well. It’s easy to feel like a world class angler when you’re in Grayling and the surrounding areas. When you’re through fishing, I recommend cruising the waterways with your boat, provided it has plenty of the best outboard motor oil on the inside.

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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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Trout Town USA

Ok, so the next place on my list of top trout fishing locations isn’t actually named Trout Town USA. Given all the attention it gets for its trout fishing, Roscoe, NY might as well be renamed. The rivers that run down through the Catskill Mountains are teeming with trout.

The Beaverkill and Willowemoc flow through town and are storied throughout angling history. Nearby East and West branches of the Delaware River also offer incredible brown and rainbow trout fishing. I typically go for dry fly-fishing in these areas, but I know a few people who like to take their outboards out lubed up with 2 stroke oil.

 

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Missoula, Montana

Yes, number two on my list of best places for trout fishing is also in Montana. Would you expect anything less? Montana is Big Sky country, after all. Missoula is typically though of as a laid-back college town with a fishing addiction.

The bouldery Blackfoot and Bitteroot empty into the Clark Fork, which in turn has 300 miles of fishable water. I first discovered this waterway while following the Lewis and Clark trail on a summer vacation. I vowed to go back and fish there and the Missouri, that is also full of rainbow and brown trout. Neither location disappointed me, my boat and its 2 cycle oil.

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Castaic Lake

Is there anything tastier than a fried up recently caught largemouth bass? Fortunately for me, I live just a few hours drive from Castaic Lake, California. The pristine lake is known for its excellent largemouth bass population.

I’m sure that all you readers are thinking ‘I know a much better lake for largemouth bass,’ but since it’s my blog, I’m going with Castaic Lake. Plus, I chose Castaic Lake based on the fact that no other lake in the country has boasted as many 20-plus pounders caught. I plan on taking my family down to the lake this spring; they can go swimming while I take the boat out, properly outfitted with Yamalube 2M oil, and try to catch a beauty.

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Unmistakably Yamaha

The 212SS is all new for 2012. The 21-footer can fit a number of passengers, yet maintains a sporty look. My favorite features of the boat are the twin engines. The high output 1.8 liter engines go from zero to 30 mph in exactly four seconds. When pushed, the engine can reach 55 mph.

I also love the helm and steering of the 212SS. The engineers were clearly inspired by sports cars and featured the gauges and controls accordingly. Next time I pick up some yamalube 2 cycle oil I’ll be sure to chat up my mechanic as to what he thinks of the new 212SS.

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