Archive for the ‘Newsletters’ Category

BRP will no longer offer the Johnson 40-225 hp four-stroke engines in the North American Market.

(Sarasota, Florida, April 27, 2005) — Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) announces the expansion of its Evinrude E-TEC outboard engine line-up. The 115-hp 60-degree V4 E-TEC is now joined by a 130-hp engine and a 60-degree V6 platform will be available in 150, 175 and 200-hp. As of fall 2005, the Evinrude E-TEC line-up will go from 40 through 250-hp.

“The V4 and V6 constitutes an important milestone toward completing our line-up,” said Roch Lambert, Vice President, General Manager, Outboard Marine Engines. “This is a achievement allows us to no longer offer, in the North American Market, the 40 to 225-hp Johnson four-stroke engines as of 2006. We firmly believe the Evinrude E-TEC family of engines are the best in the market,” concluded Lambert.

The new compact, lightweight V4 and V6 engine platforms deliver the advanced features of all Evinrude E-TEC engines, offering excellent fuel economy and strong performance while providing cleaner emissions than four-strokes, no scheduled dealer maintenance for three years or 300 hours of use, industry-leading quality components, and unique BRP styling. The 130 and 200-hp engines feature an exclusive variable exhaust control valve that delivers more low-end power and top speed performance than ever before.

Evinrude E-TEC will now be available in in-line 2-cylinder 40, 50 and 60-hp; in-line 3-cylinder 75 and 90-hp; V4 115 and 130-hp; V6, 2.5 liter, 150, 175 and 200-hp; V6, 3.3 liter, 200 HO, 225, 225 HO and 250-hp models. As of 2006, the Johnson four-stroke line in North America, will only include 2.5, 4, 6, 9.9, 15, 25 and 30-hp engines. The 2.5-hp is a new addition to the line-up and will be available in early spring 2006. The Johnson carbureted two-stroke line-up will include 3.5, 9.9, 15, 90, 115, 150 and 175-hp models.

Evinrude E-TEC won the Clean Air Excellence Award from the US EPA earlier this month in Washington DC. This is the first time ever a marine engine has received this prestigious recognition for improving air quality and a safer boating environment, confirming that Evinrude E-TEC technology produces lower exhaust emissions including lower carbon monoxide emissions then four-stroke engines and meets stringent 2006 EPA, European Union (EU), and 2008 California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-Star ultra-low emissions standards.

Because of the new enhanced security procedures, boaters will now be required to report to specified ports of entry for inspection as they arrive in the United States from Canada. Personal identification numbers issued under the old Small Boat Reporting System are no longer valid.

Boaters who wish to be able to phone in for clearance must participate in either the new I-68 program or the existing NEXUS/SENTRI program.

Participation in the I-68 program requires each applicant to appear in person for an interview at the Customs and Border Protection port of entry.

Fees are $16.00 for an individual or $32.00 for a family. Boaters will be required to pass a background check by both U.S. and Canadian authorities.

For more information, you can call the Tacoma Office at 253-593-6338.

You can also go to our links and log on to www.CBP.gov for a list of the offices or log onto www.nexus.gc.ca for information on the NEXUS program.

Outboard – 2-Stroke

Mounted on transom of boat

Advantages

• Allows for roomier interior of boat
• Lightweight, simpler technology   & good performance
• Prop lifts to avoid bottom terrain in shallow waters
• Costs less to purchase and not difficult to winterize or service

Disadvantages

• Impending bans on waterways
• Need to mix oil and gas
• Noisy and smoky

Outboard – 4-Stroke

Mounted on transom of boat

Advantages

• Fuel economy
• Smoother and softer sound of operation
• No smoke or oil slicks
• No mixing of oil and gas

Disadvantages

• Costs more to purchase and service.
• Need to service more often
• Weighs more

Outboard – Direct Injection Motors

Advantages

• Equal to or surpasses 4-Stroke technology
• Higher levels of performance
• Lighter weight
• Fuel efficient

Disadvantages

• Technology is still developing

Inboard

Used mainly in ski boats and larger boats

Advantages

• Less maintenance due to not having a stern drive

Disadvantages

• You MUST winterize
• Decreased interior space in boat
• No way to lift prop when entering shallow waters

Inboard/Outboard

Motor has a stern drive

Advantages

• Quieter and more economical to operate
• Good power and performance
• Ability to raise prop in shallow waters

Disadvantages

• You MUST winterize

Now is the time to get back on the water and enjoy the many rewards and opportunities on our marine environment. Here is some of what you need to know to prepare for this boating season.

Your role in keeping our waterways safe and secure are:

Keep your distance from all military, cruise-line or commercial shipping! Do not approach within 100 yards, and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. navel vessel, including any U.S. military or military supply vessel. Violations of the Naval Vessel Protection Zone face up to 6 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, not to mention a quick and severe response. Approaching certain other commercial vessels may result in an immediate boarding.

Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially those that involve military, cruise-line or petroleum facilities. Violators will be perceived as a threat and will face a quick, determined and severe response.

Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel. If you don’t then expect to be boarded by law enforcement officials.

Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all activities that seem suspicious to the local authorities or Coast Guard. Do not approach or challenge those acting in a suspicious manner.

Always secure and lock your boat and take keys with you with you when not on board. This includes while visiting marina restaurants or a friend’s dock or other piers. Never leave your boat accessible to others. When storing your boat, make sure it is secure and its engine is disabled. If it is on a trailer, make the trailer as immovable as possible.

For more information on how you can help call (800) 368-5647 or go to www.uscboating.org.

The above is a reprint from the Coast Guard Brochure for Homeland Security.

This is a great digital tachometer and hour meter for your engine. It features LCD display and re-settable hour meter. It is usually mounted close to the engine and it is small (about 3 inches by 1″ 1.2 inches) with a digital read-out.

When the engine is running, the display will indicate the RPM of the engine, when the engine is not running, the display will switch to run time, initially in minutes and then switching to hours once the total time reaches 60 minutes. It has a pressure point that can be pushed at any time to reset the hours back to zero.

It only counts when the engine is actually running instead of like most gauges, when the key is on.

There are three different models that fit either Mercruiser and Mercruiser Hi-Performance engines, 2-stroke outboards, or 4-stroke outboards. Yamaha has a similar monitor for their applications.

This is a great item to have, especially if you do not have room or the budget to install a full in-dash gauge.

Propeller Guards
The term “propeller guard” is a widely misused term since there are basically four types of propeller guards avaiable today. Each “guard” has its own listing of pros and cons. The various types and some of their advantages and disadvantages are below.

Deflection Type (Skegs)
These devices (basically prongs forward of the propeller) have been to protect the “motor and whatever it hits”. These provide some entry protection from ahead but provide no radial or astern protection. They sigificantly increase the potential for blunt trauma at higher speeds and also increase the potential for entanglement. They may also block the propeller movement if dented inward by floating debris or submerged objects.

Full Cages
There are a number of these devices all of which depend on some type of metal cage surrounding the propeller to prevent human entry to the propeller blades. These devices provide complete entry protection from the propeller but introduce a slightly increased risk of entaglement in the metal mesh. Because they are larger than the propeller and present a larger frontal area under the boat they increase the potential for blunt trauma injury at higher speeds. They are more easily fouled than a normal propeller in the presence of seaweed or debris and block the propeller movement if dented inward by floating debris or submerged objects. They may also cause cavitation significant enough to cause a loss of maneuverability when on a plane.

Shrouds or Ring Guards
These are a short cylinder surrounding the propeller which has an inside diameter slightly greater then the propeller diameter. These devices provide protection from radial entry into the propeller but limited protection fore and aft with an increased potential for limb entrapment when entered for and aft. Because they are larger than the propeller and present a larger frontal area under the boat they increase the potential for blunt trauma injury at higher speeds. They also are more easliy fouled than a normal propeller in the presence of seaweed or debris and bloak the propeller movement if dented inward by floating debris or submerged objects.

You should inspect the bilge and its surroundings with a flashlight at least once a month and look for the following:

Lift up the float switch on your electric bilge pump to make sure it turns on the pump automatically. If you find unusual amounts of water, be sure to track down the source.

Check all though-hull openings and fittings.

Make sure that all fittings below the waterline have tight hose clamps.

Check the seacocks to make sure that you can turn them off. You could sink your boat if a hose comes loose from a seacock and you can’t stop the flow of water because the valve is corroded.

Look for corrosion and rust. Check for unusual growth or mildew.

Check all pipes, hoses and clamps.

Don’t swim or sit near the swim platform when any engine is running. Don’t hold on to the swim platform while the boat is underway (no “Teak Surfing”)

Don’t moor next to another boat whose engine is running. Don’t confuse carbon monoxide poisoning with seasickness or intoxication.

Do immediately move the person to fresh air, investigate the cause and take corrective action if someone on board complains of irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness or dizziness. Seek medical attention if necessary.

Do make sure generators are properly ventilated, and keep engine and generator exhausts clear. Do always shut off engine and generator when moored, anchored or standing still.

Do be aware that the station wagon effect, or back drafting, can cause carbon monoxide to accumulate inside the cabin, cockpit and bridge when the boat is underway, moving at a slow speed or idling.

Do keep your boat’s engine well-maintained, and regularly check to make sure carbon monoxide detectors in the cabin are working properly.

Do always wear a properly fitted life jacket while in or around water.

Is your boat listing due to uneven weight distribution, prop torque and/or wind. Deep “V” hulls are particularly vulnerable. Does your boat give a wet or bumpy ride, do you notice inefficient fuel consumption?

If you have any of these problems, you may want to consider installing adjustable trim tabs. Adjustable trim tabs have been around since 1960 and have helm controls that raise the stern while lowering the bow, speed increases and proper attitude is achieved. As the boat pushes forward it creates a hill of water causing poor visibility, trim tabs reposition the boat’s bow to cut through the water by bringing the bow down to give greater visibility, less drag and pounding. There are several kinds of trim tabs that can be used depending on your boat and price range. You can use mechanical, spring loaded or hydraulic. Please give us a call so we can advise what is involved for your application.

(253) 858-7280

A defective opening mechanism in some 12-gauge plastic flare guns by Olin (now Orion Safety Products) prior to 2000 may not open wide enough to accept a flare cartridge. Guns with a modification to correct the possible problem are marked with U.S. Coast Guard approval code 160 028//12/1. Boaters with older flare guns should check the operation of the opening mechanism now and at the start of each boating season. If the breech will not open wide enough to accept a cartridge, the gun should be sent back for a replacement. Send defective guns to:

ORION SAFETY PRODUCTS, MARINE DIV.

3157N. 500W
PERU, IN 46970

1-800-851-5260