3. Keep your use of engine cleaners to a minimum. Their chemical ingredients are often highly toxic. Steam deaning, if available, may be a better altemative.
4. For boat storage, avoid disposable plastic covers. Use polyester covers instead, which last several seasons, or canvas covers which last even longer.
FOR INBOARDS MOTORS
ACTIONS
1. When changing your oil, wipe up spills immediately and be extremely careful to catch all old oil in a container for onshore recycling. Many marinas have oil recycling drums. If yours does not, ask for one.
2. Consider placing a bilge "pillow" (an oil-absorbing sponge available at many marine stores) in your bilge to remove oil from your bilge water. That way the oil will not be pumped overboard by your bilge pump. One pillow is generally effective for the entire boating season and can then be disposed of on shore. Be wary of bilge cleaners, which merely disperse the oil in bilge water.
3. Drain old antifreeze into a container for onshore disposal. (In some areas, antifreeze may be collected for recycling. Contact used-Oil recyclers for more information.) Where possible, use less toxic propylene glycol mixtures rather than ethylene glycol antifreeze. Make sure you check the manufacturer's specifications to see if it can be used in your engine.
4. Avoid the temptation to top off your gas tank when refueling. Doing so frequently results in gasoline spilled from overflow vents, producing small but toxic slicks in the water. In many cases, a long dipstick can be used to check your gas level.
FOR OUTBOARDS MOTORS
ACTIONS
Premium oils tend to contain more detergents and burn more cleanly. Clean burning is especially important for an engine that runs only intermittently (like an outboard fishing boat or sailboat auxiliary). If you use your engine only occasionally, add fuel conditioner to your gas to keep it from going stale.
2. Use a funnel with a filter when filling your gas tank. It keeps foreign material out of the engine and helps prevent spills.
3. If your engine does not have oil injection of any sort carefully measure the oil you mix with your gasoline. Remember that too much oil in the gasoline means inefficient burning. Too little oil can cause signnificant engine damage.
4. Good care at the end of the season can help keep your outboard running well. Consider using a good professional service to winterize your engine.
5. For winter storage, add fuel stabilizer at storage concentrations (see product instructions) and mix the tank well. This will allow you to use all your fuel, and you won't encounter problems disposing of stale gas next spring.
