Boating Discussions

When replacing Mercruiser Parts take care and time to use the correct ones. Don’t replace them with any other type part not designed for marine use.

So there you are, it’s the day before the weekend and wouldn’t you know it the boat has a problem. Not only does it have a problem but the engine itself will not start and now your weekend will be one without any boating activities at all. This is definitely not a good start to your weekend and it is frustrating knowing it’s too late to locate replacement Mercruiser parts for the weekend. So you get this idea that the auto parts store may have items that could work. Well not only is that a bad idea but it is dangerous as well.

The marine environment is harsh enough as it is and boats are specifically designed for it. So is taking the boat out for the weekend really worth replacing Mercruiser parts with an automotive part? Mercruiser Marine would surely tell you it’s not and I think so as well. The consequences can be extreme or just plain frustrating in themselves.

Mechanical Mercruiser parts replaced with any car part are set up to fail. The marine environment will attack the materials as cars are not made to be driven in the water. This can range from nuts and bolts rusted so far they can’t be removed to absolute failure of the part itself. It would be a shame to replace for example a starter with a car starter and find yourself stuck offshore with no way to start the engine. I can’t say it’s unsafe to this but it can put you in an unsafe situation.

Ignition parts and electrical parts are a whole different story. Most Mercruiser engines will be mounted inside the hull and are susceptible to fire and dangerous vapors in the bilge area. This can be a bad mix which is why Mercruiser parts are ignition protected. A little science in the design make them non-sparking and mountable in a dangerous environment. Can you imagine if you put an open container of gasoline under the hood of a car? Even took that same car and closed and sealed the engine compartment with it? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen right? Well boat fires are probable and there is no reason to increase your probability of making one. Mercruiser parts are ignition protected and made for just that environment on a boat. They are designed and manufactured just for that purpose.

So replace Mercruiser parts with just those designed for the purpose. Even if your frustrated the consequences of using any other part can be catastrophic and not worth it at all.

I wanted to say something about fish finders here or at least communicate something about them. Ok now, down to the basics. How do they operate?

Well the most ideal description I can think of is kind of like a radar system. Bouncing sound like a radar beam and measuring the returns. The signal or sound is sent then a fish finders have the ability to decipher how long and the intensity returns. This is used to display a picture hopefully of objects in relation to the bottom. Fish finders do a good job displaying this data and showing the contents of the bottom.

So what the display and how can a person  read it all? Well if the unit is a color fish finder then the red color shows hard bottom or will show larger fish. For example, a large object suspended off the bottom that only shows a red area in the middle is probably a school of small fish While a more solid echo shows more red in it. A black and white fish finder or grey scale simply shows harder objects as darker shades of grey. Although the grey scale units don’t display the same level of detail they do work very well.

So a few more variations are out there. The plain depth gauges and then the flashers. The depth gauges are useful to monitor water depth and work well to serve jst that purpose. The flashers are good for indicting fish or suspended objects by showing a movement on the scale. A lot of the older fisherman still like to use flashers but many of the fish finders sold today have a flasher function built in.

So there you have it, just a few facts on fish finders that may seem interesting and maybe someone can use the information.

Oh yes, boat accessories. With all the name brands out there are the generic brands really built well or are they just plain cheap all the way around. Well a little evaluation of the accessories themselves can insure you install only quality items on your boat.

Shopping can be difficult as they all look the same. The question is, if they look the same then are they the same? Well the answer is yes and no it depends on the type of boat accessories you are shopping for.

I’ll take an example of fishing rod holders meant to mount on the gunnel area of your boat. They come in many sizes and also many materials. Some are metal and some are plastic with the plastic being the least expensive of the bunch. So as you are shopping you notice the different brands and also the difference in price. Just a little advice here; be weary of the cheapest items and also of the most expensive. The cheap ones in this case may be made of plastic that is not treated for sun exposure while the more expensive may last longer. If they are steel then the ones made of stainless will most likely last the longest but still price differences lie in cast stainless or not. You will have to decide but think about it, if it is the same grade of steel then it is in fact close enough so the money will be better spent on the cheaper of the bunch. Determining the quality of accessories can be done reasonably.

How about a new boat cover or bimini top? Well the differences in materials are very great. Some are made with stainless tubing while others are aluminum with the stainless lasting the longest. Also, the material used must resist UV light and not tear too soon. A great material is called Sunbrella and if you shop around you will find it available on many of these. The thickness of the material will also make a difference and any boat accessories made of this canvas type material should be evaluated before purchasing.

Price shouldn’t be the only consideration when purchasing accessories at all. I cannot say the quality is all that matters but think about it, sometimes replacing boat accessories once or doing it three times what makes sense? A balance of the cost and quality would be the best approach to keep your boat looking good and functional.

So evaluate them well and always make a choice just not for today but for many boating trips to come!

Boat Parts are very different than others and a little education can help. Even those experienced will soon find that doing a boat repair isn’t so easy at times.

Quality among Boat Parts is sometimes difficult to distinguish. The parts look the same and appear to be the same. How to know if you’re really getting a quality product is sometimes difficult to determine.

I remember when I first started boating and thought everything was just as it was. I had cars and they had parts and now I have a boat so how complicated could it be? Well after removing the motor cover on the old Evinrude outboard I had I soon realized it was totally different. It really looked like a cross between a small engine like from a lawn mower and a regular four stroke motor like a car would have.

Further inspection revealed something to me. Boat parts are in fact different and are also more difficult to identify their purpose. Looking under the flywheel all the way around to the power packs and carburetors, boat parts are definitely different.

I also remembered growing up and my dad tried to get me to go to school for marine repair. I did check the class out but thought it wasn’t something I really wanted to do and also couldn’t understand how they could make an entire certification for marine repair alone. I thought it was just like auto repair but now I can see why. My first inspection under that motor cover revealed a flat fact for me. I really needed to learn how to work on these motors and couldn’t just dive in like a car motor. The parts were both different looking and a boat was nothing like a car. I’m purely speaking of an outboard here but still the differences are great. If you have experience with motorcycle engines you would be more likely to understand how to work on a two stroke outboard but still wouldn’t fully understand the scope.

So if you are doing a repair that requires boat parts and are thinking it will not be that difficult just a little advice here; get educated on the repair before you start. I’m not saying you can’t replace boat parts your self just learn about things a little before starting.

Boat parts are truly unique and a little knowledge will help that repair and avoid other problems.

Yamaha Outboard Parts are indeed very expensive. I’d say that if your after reliability and endurance then a Yamaha Outboard is probably what you have. If you choose to purchase aftermarket parts you will be that much further ahead. Keep in mind that not all parts will be available but those that are designed to wear out will be.

• Carburetor Parts are well available for most Yamaha applications.
• Gaskets and Water Pumps are also available for most outboards and a select few Yamaha inboard motors.
• Electronic parts such as witch boxes, stators, power packs and others are available through CDI Electronics.
• Some of the electrical and most of the parts that would normally wear out are available.

So if you are in the market to purchase Yamaha outboard Parts check the aftermarket availability and save a little money. You ill find most are available.

So I’d like to say a few words of advice here on Mercruiser Parts. They have been around a long time but the factory made parts are extremely expensive.
You know this is just like owning a car and going to the dealer for all the replacement parts. The money involved is huge and really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
I personally maintain all my boats and cars my self. I do not use factory parts and for a good reason. The cost is really high and sometimes the factory parts aren’t built well because that is why they failed to begin with. I’m not knocking Mercruiser here I’m just saying that some parts appear to be designed to wear out.
Even when purchasing mercruiser parts it is wise to check on the warranty offered on the replacement parts to make sure it will work in the end. There is nothing worse than paying top dollar for an item to have it fail and find out it is not covered under warranty.
So keep in mind that sometimes aftermarket parts are just not available for Mercruiser but most are. Most of the standard replacement parts like water pumps, fuel pumps, most electrical and even internal engine components are usually available.
They are also available at a discount online and any savvy shopper will soon realize the difference. Most locally purchased parts are done through the dealer or a marina that has an outlet to order parts. These are usually very expensive and have a large overhead causing the prices to be high. They also seem to charge full retail prices for almost all their items resulting in an inflated cost to the consumer. Some good advice here, stay away from the local shops if you can.
So overall be cautious with that purchase and if you must purchase genuine Mercruiser parts then do so but make sure you shop!

So you approach that repair and you still can’t believe the cost of all the boat parts that you need. One thing is certain replacing anything not intended for it would be a huge mistake and that is why I’m writing this post.
So I did purchase a boat once I believe it was a Marathon and it had a 4 cylinder engine. The boat needed a lot of work but the engine was intact and seemed well. The prior owner only told me it needed a started and that was it. So I made the purchase and hauled it home thinking I’d just change the started and be on my way.
The first thing I noticed was the engine seemed just like a car motor and the telltale sign of being a boat motor was noticed on the air cleaner.
The label showed it was a Mercruiser engine therefore it was in fact a boat component and should also have boat parts and only boat accessories attached to it. I didn’t think anything of it until I went to change the starter.
Sure enough the starter was in fact manufactured for a car not a boat as originally thought. As I looked at te entire engine further it was apparent that boat parts were not used in different areas throughout.
Now let’s think about this, a starter made for a car does not conform to marine requirements at all and could be extremely dangerous. Seriously, the bilge area of a boat leaves no room for any vapor to escape and any component mounted in that area must be ignition protected.
Boat parts are ignition protected so they will not cause a spark causing an explosion or fire. Always use the parts designed for what you are doing as the engineers didn’t just make them for fun. They are in fact designed just for that purpose and also to keep us safe. If there was a fuel spill in the bilge and I turned the engine over an explosion could occur. This is no joke and should be taken literally.
So the next time you set out for a repair use the correct boat parts for the task and don’t stray away ever. Even if it has increased cost the savings are not worth danger involved. No one should be unsafe and doing the job correctly requires the correct replacement parts.

The technology now days with fish finders is just plain amazing. For those out there that have been in the marine industry for a number of years you remember the flashers all the way to the paper machines we use to have. So here we are today, it’s common to use dual frequency units with transducers powerful enough to see as far as 1500 feet for the everyday fisherman.
I can’t believe what has been done over the years but this I know; those who have the better fish finders catch for fish. It just makes sense and anyone knows this based on experience. It’s like trying to hunt with no hunting dog or praying your luck will change. In today’s sport fishing having a good fish finder is essential to making it a good day.
So here I am in this blog post just giving my opinion but let’s be real, fishing isn’t what it used to be and neither are the tools available of which technology has provided. Used to be we could use a flasher to see an abject was there or the bottom depth was changing. But now, the fish finders are so advanced we can tell if it’s small fish or something larger just by interpreting the color on the screen. It’s true LCD technology has improved significantly but honestly, I thought the CRT units worked extremely well if they didn’t drain the power or take up the space.
So when purchasing a fish finder rest assured you will be getting a good buy for the money. Even the lowest grade units still out perform most of the units from the past. Some of us (yes even me) prefer the black and white fish finders just because we are accustomed to seeing them for years. I have used both but have been successful with either to tell you the truth. So if you’re on a budget spring for the black and white unit but if it allows the color screens will offer for options.

I’ve owned many boats over the years and one thing I know for sure is the boat accessories included as part of the deal make the investment that much better.
So I haven’t been around boats or the marine industry my whole like but have had the pleasure for quite a few years. I currently reside in a coastal area in which the marine industry is a hot commodity. The sale of used boats and marine items is a common occurrence as is all the buyers trying to find that great deal.
When purchasing a new or used vessel there are some things in common. If it were a car you might ask what options it has, and what does it include. Power windows, sunroof, or even if it has leather inside it is probably close to one of the most important items to consider with the purchase. Although not too much talk about it, boat accessories play a large part in the boating transaction. Just like a car it is important to know which accessories might be installed and come with the deal.
The cost of some of some boat accessories can be high. It seems those that provide a longer life tend to be more expensive as with most things. It is common to find a deal on a boat with accessories such as electronics or even more stainless steel items included. This isn’t taken lightly as these items are very expensive and add to the overall value considerably. For example, if searching for say a twenty foot center console and you come across two of them you may decide to purchase one just because it has electronics installed. A new GPS or fish finder would be a costly investment and if it were part of the package then you would be that much further ahead. It would also be nice knowing you can have a turn key boat with most of what it needs already installed.
Other items to consider when it comes to boat accessories might be the grade installed. Not all boat accessories are created equal and the ones made off the better materials should be considered a better value. Things such as rod holders, hinges, deck hardware, or even the switch plates should be considered better if made from stainless steel. The plastic used looks nice but will soon deteriorate from outside exposure even after being treated with the right protection. Sometimes it’s best just to go with stainless steel if possible with most items.
So if you are in the market for a new or used boat always decide with the better value. Boat accessories do give a little but extra to the overall worth of the transaction.

When I first started boating many years ago there was something apparent in the industry that I could t far behind. The market seems to like these work horses and for a good reason. Locating Evinrude Parts is not difficult and is one of the easiest outboards to get parts for.

I guess I should point out here that I’m not endorsing any particular brand just stating my own experience. I know that many will say that other brands are better and that is fine I’m just stating what I have seen myself.

My first outboard I owned was an Evinrude and it is probably still running today. This motor was so old it had an electric shifting system or called “Selectric” and looked like the bat mobile on steroids! I know many have seen them before and still do, making them a true classic. Funny thing is though I did need to rebuild the carburetors on that old outboard and I could still get parts for it just by matching them up.

I do get questions occasionally regarding the difference between a Johnson and Evinrude outboard in regard to replacement parts. Well I can only say this, when browsing the catalogs it is apparent the horsepower range along with a few years when they manufactured commercial use models, would be the main difference. The part numbers are relatively the same and the design seems rather consistent as well. The interchangeability between the two seems to be ok and is a viable alternative if needed. This is like taking a GM engine from one car to another. Each will have a slight variation of the same thing but the alternator or other parts are probably the same.

Now I have one last item to mention here. It is amazing to be the amount of small horsepower engines out there. The other side of that is that the market seems to be flooded with the small evinrude or Johnson outboards like the 9.9hp model. This outboard is well known and also, depending on the year, the parts are almost all the same. The carburetor is different for example from a 9.9hp up to a 15hp but the block and displacement are identical. I do wonder if this was an efficient design because it seems to maximize on the higher horsepower making the smaller one seem to be better. This method has been used quite often even with the three cylinder models ranging from 55hp all the way to 75hp and using the same block with a different size or style intake. My only recommendation here would be to always buy at the lower end as the upper ends seem to cause problems later on or at least it would appear to be that way.

So point taken Evinrude parts are readily available and if you own one of these you have a good idea of what I’m saying here.