Outboard Motor Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 8

San Juan Islands

Prior to moving to Port Townsend, WA, my aunt and uncle lived on Lopez Island, which is one of the larger islands that make up the archipelago known as the San Juan Islands. For years they had extolled the beauty of the islands and urged me to make the trip up from Seattle. I finally carved some time out of my schedule to go visit the islands.

All I can say is: breathtaking. The islands are truly a wealth of natural beauty and the residents do their utmost to keep it that way. I now take frequent boating trips out to the islands. In fact, I plan on putting some 2 cycle oil  in my boat for an outing this weekend

Did you like this? Share it:

Brotherly Bonding

Bonding with my brother-in-law was difficult, at first. He has an outspoken, confrontational personality which I find abrasive. Since getting married and having children he’s mellowed out a bit, but for several years I restricted my interaction with him.

At one family event he and I struck up a conversation about boating. He had just moved to a riverfront property and was asking for advice on what outboard motors he should be looking at. The conversation went so smoothly that I wound up agreeing to go shopping with him for a boat and Yamaha outboard oil! The trip to the store went well; although, I don’t think we’ll be taking joint vacations together any time soon.

Did you like this? Share it:

Engine Oil Analysis Service

Have you ever used an engine oil analysis service? I haven’t, but I do have a few friends who swear by the practice. Apparently, all you need to do is send a sample jar filled with outboard motor oil to a specialty place and then they run a full analysis to figure out the condition of your engine.

Upon further research, it appears that engine oil analysis is something frequently done by fleet operators. Taxi companies in particular condone the practice because it helps them figure out how often they should be changing their oil and parts, or even replacing cars in their fleet. The aviation industry also uses oil analysis to get a better sense of what is going on inside of their jet engines.

Did you like this? Share it:

Arthur Foss

In 1989, 100 years after it was built, the Arthur Foss tugboat was declared a National Historic Landmark. It’s no wonder, given the Arthur Foss’ storied past. The little tugboat that could is one of the oldest wooden-hulled tugboats afloat in the U.S.

The Arthur Foss transported barges of gold seeking miners and supplies up the Inside Passage during the Alaska Gold Rush. In 1933 Arthur Foss was in an MGM movie called “Tugboat Annie.” During WWII Arthur Foss was the last vessel to get away before the Battle of Wake Island began. I may have mentioned some of these stories to the guys when I was shopping for Mercury 2 stroke premium outboard motor oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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!

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

Indulgent Boating Experience

“The most rewarding boating experience on the water.” That’s how Yamaha is describing the 242 Limited S. The luxury craft is nearly 24 feet in length and features a forward swept folding tower. The boat is powered by twin 1.8 liter Yamaha Marine engines.

What I like most about the 242 Limited S is the two-tier lounge seating area. It has upholstered seats, cup holders, speakers, and a fresh water shower. The lounge area also doubles as a swim platform. I would buy top of the line Yamaha outboard oil to keep this luxury water vehicle running smoothly.

Did you like this? Share it:

2011 Evinrude 115 ETEC

Have you taken a look at the 2011 Evinrude 115 ETEC outboard motor? It can reach a top speeds between 37.3 mph and 46.7 mph, depending on the boat it’s paired with. Plane speed, which is measured in seconds, ranges from 3.5 seconds to 5.5 seconds.

What I like best about this particular motor is its fuel efficiency. On one tank of gas, the Evinrude 115 can squeeze out 170 miles (when driven at approximately 22.3 mph, of course). The engine takes XD1 Evinrude ETEC outboard motor oil to keep all its parts operating smoothly.

Did you like this? Share it:

Parts of a Two Cycle Outboard

I’ve been asked to give a brief refresher course as to how a two cycle engine works. There are three main components of a two cycle engine: spark plugs, compression, and power valve system. The spark plugs ignite the combustion mixture, thus generating power in the combustion stroke. The igniting spark plugs move the pistons up and down, compressing the crankcase mixture, and opening the exhaust port so a fresh supply of fuel can be taken in.

As the piston moves down toward the spark plug, the combustion mixture is compressed, thus creating a vacuum in the crankcase. The vacuum in turn causes the reed valve to open, the combustion mixture to be drawn out, and the cycle is then started over. The power valve system closes the exhaust port during piston cycles for better low-speed engine power. Now that you have a better understanding of how a two cycle engine works, you’ll know better than to supply the engine with anything other than premium two cycle outboard oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Sport 340 Inflatable Boat

I read another pithy tagline for inflatable boats, this time for the Sport 340 soft bottom inflatable boat. The tagline read, “Capable. Very Capable.” It’s not quite as catchy as the tagline I mentioned in Monday’s post, but it still made me snicker.

The Sport 340 is described as a boat that can go the distance. It can be used as a fishing, cruising, family fun, or ship-to-shore tender boat. The trick is in the design of the boat: It has a lower center of gravity and high-strength floors with seating for up to five people. Throw an outboard on the back, some Mercury outboard oil, and some gasoline and you’ll be good to go.

Did you like this? Share it: