SOME IDEAS. EVEN WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PROPS, THERE ARE A LOT OF VARIABLES TO WADE THROUGH. EVEN WHEN THE EXPERTS AGREE ON A FEW GUIDE LINES IT IS STILL HARD TO UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE INS AND OUTS OF PROPPING OUT ONE’S BOAT. SO, HERE ARE SOME GOOD STARTING POINTS FOR MAXIMIZING YOUR BOAT'S PERFORMANCE:
Pontoons: Pontoons boats create a lot of turbulence ahead of the prop, and because of the hull shape, prop design doesn't impact lift much. To keep the prop performing to the max, try these suggestions; Use a wide diameter prop with a positive rake and little or no cupping.
Bow-Riders and Deck Boats: These boats are about fun, so acceleration to pull skiers and tubes takes priority over top speed. Use cupping to improve hole shot and or a positive rake for added lift and a moderate pitch for acceleration.
Bass and Performance Boats: Are The Need For Speed; Go long on pitch and forget a snappy hole shot. The goal is to get the most mph from rpm. Use cupping to improve acceleration rake for strong hookup with long pitch for maximum speed and ventilation holes in hub for better hole shoot.
Offshore Boats: These days it’s all about fuel economy and mid-range control are most important. Saltwater is dense and tends to slow the boat down. Use the following, lower pitch to handle load and fuel. A four-blade prop to assist in lifting the heavier boat rig on a plain with cupping for acceleration and some positive rake for better top end speed.
PREVENT OUTBOARD BREAKDOWNS WITH SIMPLE MAINTENANCE
Keeping your outboard in tip-top shape can be done even if you're not a mechanic. There is nothing worse than trying to run to shore to flee an incoming storm and hearing that all-too-familiar cough and sputter from the outboard. More often than not, just a little TLC and preventative maintenance could have prevented the fact that you are now bobbing around like a cork, pounded by waves and soaked by the torrential downpour. If you are not a mechanic, get a reliable one and start every season with a professional tune-up. You should have the mechanic test the spark, run a compression test, pressure test the lower unit, check the seals and water pump, test the warning alarms and, in general, go over the motor in such a manner as to eliminate most causes of breakdown.
After you have had your annual check-up there are many things that you can do to help assure that you make it through the season without being towed home.After every outing, flush out the engine. This doesn’t just apply to salt water outings but to fresh water as well. If the lake or river you operate on isn’t as clear as the water from your garden hose you need to flush. If you ran aground and kicked up some sand, you need to flush. It won’t take long, ten to fifteen minutes, and during that time you can check out some other items.
To flush the engine you will need a set of "rabbit ears" (two flexible rubber seals connected with a metal clamp). Simply slip this apparatus onto the lower unit where the water is picked up and attach a garden hose. Start up the engine and let the water pump do the rest. (Be sure to stay clear of the prop and make sure no one tries to shift into gear)
While the motor is being flushed, check the water pump to make sure you have good water flow. Carefully put your finger through the stream of water. It may be warm, but it shouldn’t be hot. If the output is not strong, you may have some debris stuck in the outflow tube. You should immediately shut down the engine to prevent overheating and damage. A small piece of wire or similar object can be inserted up into the flow tube and worked back and forth. Start the engine again and check the output. If that doesn’t solve the problem you may need a new water pump.
If you have a carburetorated outboard engine you should disconnect the fuel line and allow the engine to burn all the fuel in the carburetor. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU HAVE A DIRECT INJECTED ENGINE OR IF YOU HAVE AN EFI ENGINE such as an Mecury Optimax or Evirude ETEC. By the way, make sure you always use fresh fuel. You should not use fuel that has been sitting around for over 60 days. That means; at the end of your season take the fuel in your tanks to the proper recycling authority or just use it your lawn mower. Don’t save it up for next year. That's an invitation for disaster. Other fuel related items you should check are:
- Check the fuel line for cracks and worn spots
- Make sure the fuel primer bulb is not cracked and is pliable
- Make sure the fuel line fittings seat properly and don’t leak
- Check the clamps on the fuel line for rust or corrosion
- Check the fuel tanks for damage and corrosion
- Check for water in the fuel
- Check the tank vent to make sure it aspirates properly (many a mechanic has handed a boater a bill for services after he simply opened the tank vent)
Once you have finished the flushing and run the engine out of fuel, be sure to turn off the key and, if you have a battery switch, turn it off. Open up the engine cover and check for fuel or water leaks. If you find leaks you should consult your mechanic. Be sure to wipe everything down and spray with a anti-corrosive like WD 40 or Quick-lube. Be sure to lubricate all the moving parts such as the shift and throttle cables, carburetor valves etc. Check your owner's manual for details. Once you have performed your post-trip preventative maintenance program, replace the engine cover and wipe the outside down. If you have a canvas or plastic cover for the engine you should keep it in place between trips. RUN YOUR ENGINE 30 MINUTES EVERY THIRTY DAYS IN THE SUMMER OR WINTER. THIS WILL PREVENT WATER PUMP IMPELLER FORMING AND MOST TIME RELATED FUEL ISSUES. HOPE THIS HELPS AND DECREASES YOUR CHANCE OF ENGINE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR BOAT & MOTOR ALSO MEANS THE TRAILER TOO
Spring is here and now and you want to take your boat out for a day of fun. Last winter you did your winterization on your boat and motor, but what about the trailer. Follow this simple routine to make sure the trailer transports your boat this spring, this summer, this fall and beyond this season. Wash and Lubricate: Clean your trailer with an all-purpose cleaner that includes a degreaser to remove corrosive salt water, chemicals and dirt before putting it to bed for the winter. Even a galvanized trailer should be rinsed thoroughly to prevent rust if it's seen salt water. Lubricate moving parts such as rollers, winches and other components with lightweight oil to ward off rust.
Remove Rust Spots and Repaint: All rust on the trailer frame should be sanded and painted to stop the deteriorating process before it gets worse. If a structural component appears to be badly rusted, repair or replace it. Have it inspected by an expert if you're uncertain.
Protect Your Tires: It's best to put your trailer on blocks and remove the wheels, especially if you're storing the trailer outdoors. Otherwise, your tires could develop perpetual flat spots due to prolonged inactivity. By storing the tires inside, away from sunshine and moisture, you'll also keep the rubber from deteriorating. Another advantage is that you'll avoid trailer theft. If you store tires off the trailer but still mounted on rims, inflate them to 10-15 psi. If you leave your tires on the trailer outside, cover the tires with wood or plastic, and move the trailer periodically to avoid those flat spots.
Check Wiring and Connectors: If wires are exposed, either replace the wire or tape it with electrical tape; exposed wires left untreated during the long off-season will deteriorate, requiring more work in the spring. Put a small amount of electrical socket grease on plug contacts and light bulb bases to prevent rust and corrosion.Repack Wheel Bearings: This will ensure that no water lingers during the off-season. If water rests on bearing surfaces for a few weeks without the wheel being turned, rust and bearing damage will begin, and you'll have a bigger problem next spring
HOW TO PREP YOUR OUTBOARD ENGINE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
How thorough were you when winterizing your outboard last fall? If you did it right, you should be able to start up and go. But if you didn’t follow proper winterization and preventive maintenance procedures, your spring start might sputter. So before you launch, here’s a mix of fixes that should catch any autumn oversights so your engine emerges from winter unscathed. Let’s start at the top. Pop the cowling. Depending on your storage situation, you never know what’s underneath—check for nests made by critters that crawled in for a winter home. Make sure the wiring, valves, and vents haven’t been compromised.
Due to the volatility of modern gasoline, fuel begins to break down after 30 days. So if you didn’t drain or run out most of your gas, you may need your injectors or carburetor rebuilt. It’s best to store your boat with a full fuel tank to keep condensation to a minimum. But if you forgot, fill the tank to the brim now to dilute any moisture before running the engine for any length of time. Fill the tank and add a fuel conditioner. Be prepared for multiple water separator changes until you’ve burned that tank.
Next, start the engine on “earmuffs,” or take a quick ride. Turning over the engine and running it for a few minutes should burn off any remaining lubricant and protectant you squirted into the cylinders to prevent rust. Your plugs should be changed after this, as they will be fouled. While your engine is running, check for a steady stream from the water pump. You might have flow interrupted from debris clogging the outlet or from an impeller whose blades have taken a set during storage. Clean the hole with a paper clip to unclog any detritus, and replace the impeller if necessary. Elsewhere, if you didn’t do it already, grease the pivot and steering joints to provide lubrication for free movement of the tilt and trim and steering. You should replace the lube in the lower unit, too, if you didn’t do it last fall. Check the sacrificial anodes and check the skeg. And, finally, pull off the prop and grease the prop-shaft and check the hub.
Another consideration: With some EFI engines, the internal computer monitor can slowly drain your battery—the computer draws juice even if the engine isn’t in use. If you forgot to disconnect it last fall, you’ll need to charge your starter battery.
WHAT EVERY SMART BOATER SHOULD BRING ABOARD, BESIDES A FIRST-AID KIT
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. Нas a nice ring to it, right? But when you think about it, required safety equipment is short for “minimum required equipment”—the bare necessities. Consider flares. Sure, the required three flares are better than none, but they provide just six minutes of attention-getting fire. And, of course, those Type II and III PFDs meet regulations, but wouldn’t you rather be strapped into a Type I device if you found yourself overboard offshore? That’s why experienced boaters don’t stop with the required Coast Guard package. They beef up their boats with extra defenses. So besides more flares and upgraded PFDs, what should you bring aboard? Find a place to stow these seven smart safety upgrades.
JUMPER PACK. This battery with hard-wired jumper cables can get you started if your boat’s batteries decide to quit. Choose a model with a 12-volt receptacle so you can power a handheld VHF or GPS from it, too. And, not that you’d forget, but keep it charged.
BACKUP ELECTRONICS. Handheld VHF radios and GPS receivers are cheap insurance against disaster. Keep the batteries fresh and purchase a 12-volt power cord for each. For the VHF, buy an adapter that converts the radio’s TNC or BNC connector to a PL-259 connector ($15 at a marine electronics store) to connect to your boat’s antenna and achieve additional range. Even if you have the most sophisticated electronics suite around, bring paper to back up the paper-free. Paper charts don’t require power and can help you give better information to the tow company or rescuers.
FILTERS AND BELTS. Two of the most common causes of breakdown are the cheapest and easiest to fix. Adjustable emergency belts can save your bacon. So can a pair of panty hose: Just stretch them over the pulleys and knot them off. You may be embarrassed when the guy at the drugstore says, “Sure, they’re for your wife,” but they’ll get you home. Carry at least two backup fuel filters. Even with a highly contaminated tank that stalls your engine, you can swap out filters as they clog. You may not make it all the way home, but you’ll at least make it somewhere. And don’t forget the filter wrench. Gluing or taping a strip of sandpaper on the inside of the metal strap will give the wrench a better grip on slippery canisters.
FOOD AND WATER. Even if you’re not reenacting Master and Commander, something to eat and drink sure makes waiting for the tide to float you off a sandbar more tolerable. Stow bottled water and some foil-wrapped high-energy or protein bars aboard. They keep forever and will stave off hunger in a pinch.
SLIPPERY STUFF. Having extra engine oil with you is a no-brainer. But don’t forget transmission fluid (gear lube for stern drives) and hydraulic fluid for steering systems and trim tabs.
RADAR REFLECTOR. t’s comforting to know that when you’re adrift, dead in the water, your boat is lighting up the screen of any passing container ship or tug like a Christmas tree. Plus, it helps rescuers and towboats find you quicker. A serviceable one costs about $50.
DITCH BAG.Sometimes also referred to as an “escape kit” or “fast getaway kit,” it’s simply a watertight fanny pack containing a submersible handheld VHF radio, a signal mirror, several chemical light sticks, a whistle, and some foil packets of water purchased at a mountaineering shop. Strap it on when the going gets tough. But, we hope, if you bring aboard the other seven, you won’t need it.