COMMON QUESTIONS

Can I use a propeller from another brand engine on my engine?

A. Honda engines will accept the Mercury brand and Yamaha brand propellers with the correct outside spacer. Mercury engines will accept the Honda brand and Yamaha brand propellers with the proper outside mercury locking tab adapter. Yamaha engines will accept the Mercury brand and Honda brand propellers on the midsize and V6 size engines with outer hardware adjustments. Suzuki engines and Johnson and Evinrude engines with interchange with little problem.

When should I service my outboard engine?

A. All brands of outboard engines need to be serviced once a year as a general rule. You should always refer to your owner’s manual for proper intervals and which items should be serviced. With the quality of today’s fuel it is recommended that fuel filters be changed more frequently.

What brands of outboards do we work on in our service department?

A. We are authorized to do warranty repairs on Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki brand engines. We still do general repairs and rebuilds on most major brands and we carry many service parts for all major brands.

When is the best time of year to bring in my boat for service or to have accessories added?

A. Typically the marine industry slows down after Memorial Day, this is the best time of year to get your boat serviced up and ready for the next time you use it. The boat can also be set up properly for storage at this time. We encourage our customers to do their annual service at this time.

How much does it cost to do a yearly service on my outboard engine?

A. Depending on the size of the engine and the hours on the engine this can range from $125.00 to $350.00 for all the filters and impeller to be done.

How much is your labor rate?

A. Our labor rate is $75.00 per hour as of Nov. 2007, we continue to try to keep the cost down for our customers and we use a flat rate labor charge instead of technician’s actual hours to bring the cost down even more. All of our repeat customers get a labor rate reduction of 10%.

Do I need to use a Salt X treatment on my engine when I flush it?

A. We have noticed longer thermostat life and the bypass valves working better with the use of Salt X or equivalent solution. The river water has tannic acid and salt in it that causes a lot of corrosion in the cooling systems as well. You should be flushing with a treatment every other trip.

How do I store my engine when not in use?

A. All the fluids should be changed to remove the acid build up in the used oil that will cause corrosion during storage. The fuel system should be treated with a fuel conditioner long before storage to insure it treats all the fuel lines. For storage longer than 2 months the fuel in the engine should be removed to prevent slug build up. We have some new treatment products for the fuel system that is working better than Stabil.

Can I use aftermarket parts on my engine?

A. Yes, there are some aftermarket parts that have better warranties and better quality than the OEM parts. It is not recommended to use aftermarket filters because they do not have the filtration qualities and the proper built in pressure valves necessary for today’s high revving 4 stroke engines.

What do I need to have in my boat to be legal on the water?

Where do my registration numbers go on the side of my boat?

Is there a boating license needed to operate a boat and how old do you need to be?

A. The following website will answer these and other questions. www.myfwc.com

What do I need to take care of between the annual services on my engine?

A. Check the oils before each use, and spray some CRC under the hood to prevent corrosion. Flush the engine after each use in saltwater and use Salt X treatment periodically. Check prop for fishing line and tight hardware. Run the engine at least once a month. Clean battery terminals and check water level every 3 months. Check fuel water separator every 3 months, and don’t forget to use fuel treatment for infrequent operations.

Do I need a fuel water separator on my boat?

A. Yes, Yes, All engines need the extra protection from water and debris. There are several sizes available to fit your application.

MAINTENANCE TIPS

· USE AUTOMOTIVE WASH AND WAX TO WASH YOUR BOAT AND TRAILER.

· CRC 656 SPRAY ON ALL MOVING PARTS ON THE TRAILER AND BOAT, (HINGES, TRAILER COUPLER, LOCKS, STEERING BAR, TRAILER PLUG ETC.)

· WAX SMOOTH SERFACES EVERY 6 MONTHS.

· COVER ELECTRICAL AND CANVAS IF POSSIBLE.

· USE 303 VINYL PROTECTANT ON UPHOLSRTY.

· CHECK HUBS ON TRAILER WHEN YOU STOP TO GET FUEL. (THEY SHOULD BE WARM NOT HOT TO THE TOUCH.)