Most anglers work full-time and have precious little time for fishing. To maximize their time on the water, they need lubricants that protect their motors from wear despite challenging operating conditions.
Much like automotive engines, marine motors are becoming more advanced and tougher on oil. Four-stroke motors are becoming lighter and produce more low-end torque than before. They’ve largely closed the performance gap on two-stroke motors. In fact, sales of four-stroke motors are on the rise, while two-stroke sales have declined.
Demanding Operating Conditions
Marine motors are characterized by high-rpm operation that can shear the molecular structure of oil and reduce its ability to protect against wear. On average, a marine motor propelling a boat 30 mph operates at 5,000 rpm, while an automotive engine at 60 mph operates around 2,000 rpm. The added heat and stress invite wear and deposits. Heavy deposits can cause piston rings to stick. Stuck rings lead to compression loss, which reduces power. Stuck rings can also lead to catastrophic piston scuffing.
The marine operating environment creates additional challenges for oil. Marine motors are constantly exposed to humid air. The moisture the motor ingests increases the likelihood of corrosion compared to automotive engines. Water-cooled marine motors also run at lower temperatures than air-cooled engines, so moisture in the oil doesn’t evaporate as readily. Plus, when the motor is shut down for the day, moist air continues to enter the engine as it cools, increasing the risk for corrosion, especially if the oil doesn’t contain anti-corrosion inhibitors.
A bad day of fishing beats a good day at work, but subpar engine performance or malfunction can ruin any day on the lake. AMSOIL synthetic marine lubricants are formulated to keep two- and four-stroke engines operating reliably at peak efficiency so your time on the water remains stress-free.