What you need to Winterize your Outboard or Sterndrive

Winterizing tips for do it yourselfers:

This week temperatures took a dip and it definitely feels like fall outside.  Enjoying these cooler temperatures out on the water should be very tempting right now.  Traffic on the lake will be at a minimum so it might feel like you have the lake to yourself.  While it may be a little chilly for water skiing and tubing, it's a delightful time for a nice drive on the lake or even spending day fishing.

While you are enjoying the last few weeks on the lake, keep in mind that the task of winterizing your outboard or sterndrive is around the corner.  Winterization will need to be completed before the first hard freeze.  So, boaters have a choice of taking their boat in to have it winterized by certified mechanics or performing the task on their own.  Our blog next week will cover tips on having your boat repair shop complete your winterization. If you want to get ahead of the rush, bring your boat into our shop now while the wait is minimal.

For the diy boat mechanic, preparation is key in winterizing your boat.  Having the correct marine grade oil, lube and fuel stabilizer is important to prevent potential damage down the road.  Picking this up at the auto store or large discount chain is not the way to go.  If you are saving money by doing the task yourself, put a tiny bit of that savings towards genuine Mercury Marine, Evinrude, Johnson or Volvo-Penta oils and lubes.   Below is a list of  what you need before you begin winterization.

US Boatworks customers can enjoy 10% off  your winterization items below when mentioning this blog- carry out only.

Outboard - 2 Stroke
Gear Lube
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer

Outboard - 4 Stroke
Anti-freeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube

Sterndrive:
Antifreeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube

We Pay Cash for Lower Unit Cores

The busy summer season is winding down and we are already looking ahead to next year.  As one of the top remanufacturers of lower units in the US, we spend a good chunk of the winter months rebuilding gear cases so they are ready to ship out in the spring.  In order to build all those gear cases, we need good used cores to start the refurbish process. We need your cores! Recycle your housing, save the environment and earn some money in the process.

If you have used Evinrude, Mercury or Volvo-Penta outdrive cores laying around, put some cash in your pocket by sending them to us.  We buy Volvo Penta Sterndrive cores, Mercury cores and Evinrude cores and pay you based on the condition of the core you send us.



Don't throw that old lower unit out!  Turn it into cash. $$$$$$


   

US Boatworks, Quality Lower Unit Remanufacturing for over 30 Years

OEM vs Generic Fuel Lines

We receive numerous phone calls each day about boat motors not running properly. Often times we try to help our customers trouble shoot the problem over the phone if possible.  No sense in bringing a boat in for service if the answer is a quick solution that the owner can handle.
So, when discussing the poor performance complaints, popular problematic symptoms usually include:

-Motor will not start
-The engine runs fine for a while, but then shuts down and will not restart
-Loosing power periodically and then when running on plane

If the customer is inclined, we will suggest checking for fuel leaks, reviewing all fittings and connectors for leaks and testing the fuel bulb.  We also ask if the fuel lines have been replaced and if so, what brand has been installed? When the answer is the fuel lines have been replaced by lines purchased at a large discount store, we suggest purchasing OEM fuel lines and installing them with new fittings.  The fuel lines from the discount stores last a fraction of that of an OEM line.  The quick deterioration of the generic lines often times cause boaters more problems than the money saved up front.  Frequent replacing of lines and time lost on the water is far more costly than simply purchasing the OEM lines to begin with.  If fuel lines have never been replaced, they still may need to be changed out with new OEM lines to insure fuel can reach the motor with ease.

If you are in need of new fuel lines or fuel related accessories, we can help.  Our online parts store allows you to select your motor and review the engine diagrams on the screen.  Simply place items from the microfiche drawings in your shopping cart & check out.  We usually ship orders the same day so you receive your order quickly.  Additionally, readers of our blog can enjoy $10 off orders of $50 or more by entering 10save10 coupon code at checkout.

Bottom line, fuel related problems can sometimes be self diagnosed and fixed at home.  We recommend using OEM parts especially with your fuel lines and connectors.  Should you want us to do the work for you, please call or bring your boat in for Kansas City boat repair or service.  There is nothing better than a fun day out on the water with friends and family.  We take pride in quality workmanship and will get your motor running in top shape.

Which Outboard Motor Oil Is Best?

2 and 4 stroke motor oil is readily available at discount stores or automotive stores.  The price is slightly cheaper than the OEM boat engine oil so we often get the question:  "Can I safely use the aftermarket or generic oil in my outboard motor?"

The bottom line answer is: You get what you pay for.
The manufacturers of the generic oils will tell you that their oils are safe of your 2 or 4 stroke outboard motor. While this may be true but is it the best oil for your outboard?

Many of the budget lubricants use cut rate ingredients to achieve a low price point. They have also manufactured this oil to work with a chain saw, weed eater, lawn mower, car and more.  By covering many different motor types, the choice additives needed for your specific motor are missing. Genuine Evinrude/Johnson and Mercury lubricants are blended with the highest quality base stock and additive packages. The choice of ingredients is driven by the demands of the 2-cycle or 4-cycle outboard engine.  These additives prevent corrosion, reduce foaming and keep your engine properly lubricated.

Our recommendation is to always choose genuine boat motor oil specifically manufactured for your engine for optimum performance. A few extra dollars now could prevent huge repair bills later.

You can pick up genuine Mercury Oil or Evinrude Outboard Oil, lubes and boat parts at our store anytime. Bring in your refillable container and we will sell you bulk oil at a discount.

Review Recommended Care from Mercury for your Mercury Engine.

Remaining Mercury Outboards

The 2016 boating season is in full swing.  Warm temperatures this July are getting boaters out on the water to cool off.  Don't miss out on great times at the lake.  Consider that new
Mercury Outboard now while you can get out on the water to enjoy it.

We have just a few remaining 2016 Mercury Outboards and are willing to make a deal on them. Our inventory includes:

Mercury Outboard 4 horse, Manual Start with Tiller Handle
Mercury Outboard 9.9 Horse, Manual Start with Tiller Handle
Mercury Outboard 9.9 Horse, Electric Start with Tiller Handle
Mercury Outboard 9.9 Horse, Manual Start, Long Shaft with Tiller Handle
Mercury Outboard 25 Horse, Electric Start, Long Shaft with Power Trim

Contact us for more details and pricing.  Feel free to compare us to the big stores. Our pricing, knowledge and personal service can't be beat. We will get you in the right motor to meet your needs.

If we don't list what you are looking for above, contact us. More Mercury Motors will be in later this week.

Whatever you do, don't delay. Get your motor today so you can start making those great lake memories before the kids go back to school.

US Boatworks Open Saturday July 2

US Boatworks will be open this SATURDAY, JULY 2 from 9-Noon to serve you. We are closed Monday July 4 and will re-0pen Tuesday July 5 at 9 am.

This July 4th weekend many families will descend to their favoarite lake to get their family boat out on the water. Often times hours of preparation go into preparing for an outing to the lake. Preparation usually includes include cleaning, tuning up the boat and making boat repairs as necessary. Over the last few years, we have helped you prepare for these trips through this blog.  You can find tips about  boat engine preparation from the article we wrote this spring.  Part of that preparation also includes safety measures. Please read our list of safety equipment you should carry on your boating trip.  After all that hard work, planning and preparing, we hope everyone has a great holiday and that your boat runs great.

US Boatworks is closed on July 4th so our employees can enjoy the holiday.  We appreciate all of our customers and recognize that our success is only because great customers come back year after year.  Thank you to all who support US Boatworks.

1st Responders Rely on US Boatworks

Professionals continue to count on US Boatworks to service their outboard motors. Most recently, the Kansas City Fire Department had their rescue boat in for routine maintenance.  They even agreed to pose for a quick picture for us when they came in to pick up their boat. 

So what makes US Boatworks stand out as a preferred boat dealer for our local fire and rescue department? We have polled our customers and choose the top 5 factors that make US Boatworks a superior boat repair shop.

1. Our certified mechanics know your engine inside and out.  Each mechanic has attended many hours of instruction each year.  This education keeps them on top of new technology which rapidly changes each year.
2. Each of our mechanics has over 25 years experience repairing boats.  So, in addition to being educated with the new technology, our staff has experience working on the late model engines as well.
3. Our friendly team is always happy to help.  Step into our humble shop and you will find our experienced team ready to answer your questions and solve your problem.
4. Great pricing: Low overhead keeps our costs down and we pass that savings on to our customers.
5. Over 2 million boat parts in stock.  This means that we should have the parts you need on hand.  This saves a considerable amount of time while your boat is at our shop- no need to wait for parts to come in from the manufacturer. Your repair will be completed as quickly as possible to get you back out on the water.

We hope you choose US Boatworks for your Kansas City Area boat repair needs.  It's hard to put into words how much we truly care about our customers.  Come in and give us a try, let us earn your business as we have done with our local fire and rescue departments.