An outboard motor is both a power source and steering mechanism for your boat. Without one—or a functioning one—your boat fails to propel. Making sure your outboard motor stays in good condition ensures you traverse the waters easily and reach your destination promptly. Here are three mistakes to avoid when using an outboard motor and how to keep it in top shape.

Using Low-Quality Fuel and Lubricant

Eating cheap junk food saves you money and often tastes good at the time, but after a while, it doesn’t always leave you feeling the best. Similarly, supplying your motor with low-quality fuels and oils negatively affects your boat.

Fuels blended with 90 percent gasoline and up to 15 percent ethanol come at an affordable price, but the ethanol concentration damages a motor system. It absorbs water, causing the fuel tanks, engine cylinders, and O-rings to corrode. Cheap oil and lubricant also feature certain chemicals that end up doing more harm than good in the long run. Using recreational fuel and motor oil made from special marine blends provides better quality and minimal negative effects.

Not Flushing the Engine

Maintaining a healthy body means consuming nutrients and flushing out toxins. Once again, the same goes for maintaining a healthy motor. Flushing your outboard motor after each trip prevents residue buildup. Too much salt and sand lingering behind cause abrasions as their rough texture rubs against the motor’s alloy structure. Plus, any scum and debris may clog the system.

Make sure to flush your engine with fresh water, not saltwater. When the saltwater dries, the salt crystallizes, leaving you right where you started—a clogged motor. Regularly flushing your motor while your boat is in storage for the offseason also helps prevents residual buildup.

Not Consulting the Manual

Manuals like to compact a lot of words into very unappealing and small reading material, causing them to get chucked aside or tossed in the trash. Despite their wordiness and lack of entertainment, manuals offer important insight. They explain the ins and outs of your motor, showing you exactly how to care for it. Consulting the manual saves you from making more mistakes and ensures your outboard motor receives proper treatment for its specific needs.

A happy motor means a successful boating trip. Avoiding these three mistakes when using an outboard motor ensures your boat stays ready for the water and functions optimally. Still, mistakes happen. At RJ Nauticals, we can provide a helping hand. We offer Yamaha outboard services, providing repair and maintenance work to get your motor back into top shape and you back on the water. The next time your motor runs into issues, reach out to RJ Nauticals.