Kansas Right to Fish & Hunt on Ballot In November

If you already completed advanced voting, you may have been surprised to find a proposed amendment regarding the right to hunt and fish in Kansas. This proprosal is taking people by surprise as there has been little talk of it since the main topic of conversation is the presidential election. So what's this proposal all about? What does a yes vote mean? What does a no vote mean? I'll try to sort it all out below.

The November 8th, 2016 ballot in Kansas contains a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would give Kansas residents the constitutional right to hunt and fish. As it stands now, it is not a constitutional right.  Currently there are 19 other states that declare the right to fish and hunt as a constitutional right. The NRA is the force behind the passage of this amendment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism supports this amendment. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is the governing body enforcing fishing, hunting and trapping regulations.

The intention is to look toward the future to protect fishing and hunting from extremists who may be looking to outlaw hunting and fishing entirely. If passed, current regulations will not change. Licenses will still need to be obtained, seasons observed and property boundaries and safety rules respected. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism will continue to regulate fishing, hunting and trapping in Kansas.

So bottom line, a "yes" vote will add the right to hunt, fish and trap to the Kansas Constitution thus further protecting the ability to do so. No regulations change.

A "no" vote will defeat the amendment. Nothing will change about hunting and fishing rights for now.

Here are some additional links should you want to read more:

Who would have management control under hunting-rights amendment?
Right to Hunt & Fish amendment explainedRight to fish, hunt, trap constitutional amendment on Nov. 8 ballot

Duck Season!

Judging by the huge quantity of duck boats we have in our repair shop for tune ups right now, it seems that duck season is upon us.

To be sure your first duck hunting trip this year goes smoothly, we highly suggest your outboard motor is running in top shape.  The first order of business is to tune up your motor.  There are many steps involved in tuning up your motor the first of which is to decide if you are going to do it yourself or leave it to the professionals.  If you are leaving it to the professionals, get your boat into the shop asap to insure your motor is running smoothly. Trusted Kansas City boat repair shops will have a lot of winterizations to do at this time of year so don't put this off until the last minute.

If you are doing an outboard motor tune up yourself, your first order of business is to pull out your boat owners manual.  If you can't locate your owners manual, call our come down to our store in Kansas City to get one. Once you have your owners manual, check guidelines for recommended procedures, lubes, oils and replacement parts.  Failure to use manufacturer required brands can void your warranty and may cause you further headaches down the road.

Start with a visual inspection of your motor starting at the bottom.  Look for signs of leaking lubricant that may run down the propeller.   This could be a signal that seals have gone bad.  If this may be the case, bring your boat in for service. Next check the propeller for signs of damage.  Cracks in the blades by the hub, large chips or bent blades call for repair or replacement of your prop.

As you move up the motor, check and fix missing or loose screws, nuts or bolts on the lower unit.  Lubricate the grease fittings at the transom bracket, swivel bracket and transom clamp screw as directed in your owner's manual. The throttle control should be inspected and lubricated per your manual.

Next up is to replace the spark plugs and fuel filter. Then it's on to the lower unit. Check your owner's manual for the recommended frequency of lubricant changes for your outboard motor's lower unit. Begin by removing the unit's top and bottom fill plugs and allow the lube to drain into a container of your choice. Replace the lubricant with the manufacturer recommended product by filling lubricant into the bottom fill hole until lubricant reaches the top fill hole. Once filled, replace the top plug, remove the applicator nozzle and replace the bottom plug then wipe clean.

Last but not least, get all your hunting gear out.  Clean, inspect and replace as necessary then get out there and have fun.

As promised, here are some helpful Kansas and Missouri duck hunting links:

http://www.whenisduckseason.com/state.php?st=KS
http://kswildlife.org/ww/kansas-duck-season
http://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/When-to-Hunt/Migratory-Birds

Winterization Service Options

Winterizing your motor before the first hard freeze is extremely important to prevent expensive damage come spring time.  A cracked block as a result of freezing will cost thousands of dollars not to mention missed time out on the lake next spring while you wait for your motor to be repaired.  Spend the time and the money to have one of our certified technicians properly winterize your boat before it's too late.

As more and more boats arrive to our shop for winterization, it seems appropriate to review the service options from US Boatworks.  We offer three levels of winterization service to meet everyone's needs.  Feel free to review your options before you come in with your boat.  We are happy to answer all questions you may have regarding our winterizing process & look forward to seeing you soon.

Don't wait too long to winterize your outboard motor!

The BASIC service includes the following:

• Stabilize fuel
• Fog engine
• Drain and refill block with anti-freeze
• Check engine oil
• Check gear oil

The STANDARD service includes the same as the basic service above plus the engine oil & gear lube is changed:

• Stabilize fuel
• Fog engine
• Drain and refill block with anti-freeze
• Check engine oil
• Check gear oil
• Change engine oil
• Change gear lube

The DELUXE service includes all the items in the above standard service plus we pull the outdrive to inspect for wear, inspect bellows, grease u joints, check alignment and grease the bearing.

• Stabilize fuel
• Fog engine
• Drain and refill block with anti-freeze
• Check engine oil
• Check gear oil
• Change engine oil
• Change gear lube
• Pull the outdrive & inspect for wear, inspect bellows, grease u joints, check alignment and grease the bearing.

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.