Now is the time to plan for the new season. All those small jobs you wanted to complete last year could be done in the next few months. Begin by writing down everything you want to do. Start at the bow of your boat and work towards the stern. For most of us the engine will require either the most money thrown at it or the most time or even both!
Whether you have an inboard or outboard engine it will need a good thorough service before using it this coming season. With the recent increase in VAT everything is going to cost more. So looking for value for money products and services is now more vital than ever before. Spend some time doing your research before deciding to purchase a product or service.
On ebay there are various products and services that offer value for money. You can access them using this link to outboard motors.
It is now the end of the season for most of us and thoughts turn to outboard motor maintenance. Lets face it, if we do nothing to our outboard all winter by the time we look at it next spring it will probably be corroded up inside. So we need to consider what needs to be done to maintain it. Firstly, the outboard motor needs to be flushed with clean fresh water – not sea water! Then the petrol tank needs to be empty. Spark plugs cleaned or replaced. Oil changed. WD40 or similar sprayed on all moving parts. Lubricating oil on any bearing that you can gain access to within the engine or moving parts. Finally, store the outboard in a dry cool place away from any excessive heat or dampness.
If you are happy with the way your outboard behaved during the summer then keep it. If you are not happy, then consider replacing it with another model – perhaps newer. Why not look on our store listings to view other outboards that maybe of interest?
Sometimes when you buy your outboard you really could do with some accessories. Whether it be a control box and cables to aid your handling of the boat, or some method of starting or charging the battery, you will find it in our store. From maintenance items like oil or practical things like an outboard bracket, it will be in our store. Perhaps you just want to know more about your engine and need a manual? Chances are it will be for sale in our store! If you are regularly travelling quite a distance in your boat and need extended tanks, there are some available in our store.
Propellors are often getting damaged. A slight ding on a blade can reduce your engines efficiency and affect fuel consumption. It will be best to replace this damaged propellor with a prefect one. Many are advertised in our store.
With most of us having our boats ready for the water or already in the water, it is important to have a reliable outboard. There is nothing more frustrating than having the outboard engine stop just when we need it! Rarely, it is some unpredictable reason for it to fail. Most of the time it is because we failed to do something to the outboard. Either have it serviced or flush it with fresh water after a long run in seawater or whatever? If we do not maintain the engine it will let us down. Deep down we know it and some of us put off doing the right thing, for whatever reason. But if you are out at sea you really need to know your engine is going to keep going because you have done everything possible to ensure it does. Not giving your outboard motor a service before using it this season is false economy. It may cost you more just trying to cut corners and not servicing it.
Elsewhere on this blog I mentioned getting your 4 stroke engine’s oil changed. This is another routine thing to do. It will help your engine run better and more reliably. Modern 4 strokes tend to be smoother when idling than the older 2 strokes, although this will not be the case if they have not been maintained properly. Take time to pamper your engine and it will respond, by keeping going when you need it most!
4 stroke outboard engines need their oil changed. Unlike your old previous 2 stroke engines with an oil and petrol mixture, these newer 4 strokes need new oil at regular intervals. If you have a small outboard, say up to 4 horse power, then you should change the oil every 50 hours of running. For larger outboards you could go to 100 hours of running before changing the oil. If you don’t record how many hours your outboard has run, then change the oil at least once every year! New oil is needed by your outboard because the old oil degrades during engine use as it heats up and due to wear between the metals it collects metallic impurities and carbon from the combustion residue. Thats when it turns black! So change it and this will keep your outboard running longer and better efficient!
