Increasingly over the past few years, boat builders and the boat owners they serve have shown a burgeoning interest and preference for outboards over diesel inboards. The reasons are several. Outboards are quieter, can be as fuel efficient as an inboard and free up space inside the hull for storage.
Modern outboards are sophisticated machines that have evolved significantly in the last two decades to the point that they are impressively reliable and, if well maintained, destined for a long life.
The catch. Is in that last point. Regular care and routine maintenance is the key to an outboard’s long life and performance. This is true of all outboards, but those that are run in salty or brackish water really need the constant care.
You don’t have to be a mechanic with expensive tools to undertake most routine maintenance chores. But it does help if you learn both enough about the machines to be useful and to adopt some of the techniques, the art so to speak, of making jobs easier and quicker.
Lubrication is the key concept when undertaking routine maintenance. That include crankcase oil in four strokes and the proper oil to gas blend in two strokes. For four strokes, it is generally recommended that the crankcase oil get changed after the first 10 to 20 hours of running a new motor and then every 100 hours after that.
Plus you have to change the main oil filter and there are tricks to removing the filter without spilling oil all over the cowling. Tilt the engine just so and get the filter level and easy to access before you start.
Aside from oil, grease is also your engine’s friend and it makes sense to acquire a grease gun kit so you can keep the steering mechanism and other pivot points well lubricated. When checking the propeller, grease up the splines before replacing the prop and shaft nuts.
The gearcase is the next messy but essential job. On a new motor change the gearbox oil after the first 10 hours to remove any metal that has worn off the brand-new gears and then change it annually after that.
First timers would do well to get a knowledgeable friend or even a professional mechanic to walk them through all of this and more the first time. Then, its just up to keeping up with your recommended maintenance schedule.
