Introduction To Boating

Electric outboard engines are smaller than gasoline powered ones. With that said, they do allow you to troll quietly. While they do limit your speed and range, they can still be quite effective. Also, they do not fight the tides very well. But for a simple, cheap, short range engine, electric is the way to go.

Here are some basic features you should look for in an electric outboard motor: Twist-grip tiller throttle – This is an important piece, so find a brand you can trust and one that looks solidly made. Friction control – Once a course it set, it should be tight enough for you to let go and not have the boat veer off course. Stop button and kill cord – be careful that it is positioned in such a way that it will not get tangled up when you start the engine. Mounting bracket – without this your motor will not stay in place rendering it useless.

Screw clamps – you should find ones with loops on the end of the screw clamp handles for padlocks to ensure your motor is not stolen. Carrying handle – should be a means by which you can carry the motor with ease. Fuel cap and tank breather – make sure the cap is easy to take off and on. Gear lever – This allows you to switch between neutral or forward. Oil sight gauge – This is very important because oil is essential to proper motor function. Fuel tap – make sure it is clearly labeled. Tilt mechanism – Different models have different options and variety of angles in which the motor may be positioned. Electric outboards – These very well could be the engine of tomorrow with their compact size, quiet running, and small impact on the environment. They do, however, demand a very heavy battery which limits range. Originally used as trolling motors, that is, a motor used in place of the main one to move a heavy boat slowly and quietly, they are very popular with American lake fishermen.

Electric engines are environmentally friendly, but recharging the battery poses a problem. If you have to recharge the battery by running the motor for long periods of time, it is of no benefit. Alternate means of recharging include shore power, changing batteries at port, or keeping a spare one on the boat. If you have two batteries, you can let one charge while using the other. You can even charge one with a wind turbine or solar panel.

Top 3 Tips with Electric Motors 1. Going full throttle draws a lot of power. By going have a notch slower, you will not affect speed significantly while halving the power usage. 2. The leg height of an electric outboard is adjustable, unlike petrol outboards where a leg is a fixed length; electric outboard’s height is adjustable. If you adjust it to be at a right angle with the water, it will be more efficient. 3. Don’t use a spanner to attach the power cables, but rather wing nut battery terminals or crocodile clips, but the latter can be easily knocked off.

David has been writing online for a while now and loves outboard engines, however he also writes about fiction book publishers. Check out his sites: Used Outboard Engines and Fiction Book Publishers.

Outboard motors on boats were developed as a self-contained unit consisting of a propeller and engine system. These motors are mounted at the stern (the rear) of the boat and are usually used to propel small boats. This placement provides steering controls and is designed to pivot and direct the orientation of the propeller.

The propeller, acting as a rudder, provides the power; the transmission leg stays in the water. When boats are about to enter shallow water or be taken off the water, the outboard motor should be tipped forward over the mount to take the propeller and transmission shaft out of the water. This will avoid getting too much seaweed or hitting rocks that could possibly damage the motor.

In 1909, Ole Evinrude, a Norwegian-American inventor, created the first outboard motor designed for boats. Most outboard engines are two-stroke engines, which are quite reliable and simple to use. These are also seen as very cost efficient and have a high power-to-weight ratio. It is very important that you watch the weight distribution on the boat, especially weight that is near the stern where the motor is. If you don’t watch the weight, then the handling and speed of the boat will be impeded.

However, the two-stoke cycle engine has high emissions and causes some environmental concerns, which have added to the cost of the development of the technology. These concerns have led some people to tend to go to the four-stroke cycle outboard motors, which have meet all expectations based upon their emissions standards and fuel consumption. These motors are more cost-effective both in initial price and long-term usage. Though, weight issues are more important in a four-stroke cycle engine, so special attention has to be given to what exactly is on the boat and where it is located.

Some companies that produce outboard motors include Mercury, Briggs and Stratton, Evinrude, Johnson, Honda, Yamaha, Mariner, Nissan, Suzuki, OMC and there are a slew of other smaller and less known companies as well. Purchases of outboard motors are quite easy with the variety of different online websites you have to choose from. You can also get parts when needed. There are hundreds of different dealers online that guarantee an outboard motor that will be compatible with your boat and one that will add some quality to your boating or fishing experiences.

Many boaters with outboard motors primarily use their boats on lakes. Since most boats using outboard motors have to be small, they are not used for much larger expeditions outside of lakes or calm waters. These motors are nice to have instead of having to constantly paddle, though paddles should always be located on-board just in case you’re motor experiences difficulties or overheats. As usual, it’s always best to have a back-up plan with paddles instead of getting stuck on a lake.

David is passionate about the outboard engines, however he also writes on restaurant furniture. Check out his sites: Used Outboard Engines and Used Restaurant Furniture.