Oil Preference

[Dustin07]

Anybody have an opinion on the best oil/weight/type for my motor?

[Dhalter]

I run straight 40 in my 7.4l engines.
Boat engines work hard. If you go multi grade go 15w40.

[Phillbo]

I've been using Delo 400 15W-40 Diesel Oil in my boats for years. Old boat had a 7.4L and current boat has a 6.2L. they both have never had an oil related issue....

Oil gets changed every spring during annual maintenance.

[biggerseagar]

I've used mercury 25w-40 with good luck....Walmart sells it....

[Dustin07]

Yes I actually picked up some 25w-40 at walmart coincidentally cause it was all that I could find. I have no leaks and my oil looks OK so it wasn't an emergency but I wanted some on my boat for our trip last week (one week in the san juans) now that we are home I can prepare with all the correct materials for maintenance. thank you for the replies!

[Phillbo]

Since the boat is new to you get an analysis when you change the oil.

I use Blackstone labs. Go to their website and they will ship you a little bottle to send back to them with the sample.

[Calguy]

Have been using Mobil 1 synthetic 15/50 with great results and mileage on a Mercruiser 350 MPI.

[Dustin07]

Originally Posted by Phillbo

Since the boat is new to you get an analysis when you change the oil.

I use Blackstone labs. Go to their website and they will ship you a little bottle to send back to them with the sample.

Good idea. Not sure I want the results, but a good idea. lol

[Phillbo]

Does not sound like you plan to own your current boat for long so you may want to skip it... I'm a long term type of owner.... Truck has 240K and boat has 650 hours.... I like to know what is going on..

[shrew]

Mercruiser recommends 25W-40. That is what they sell in both the Mercury, Mercruiser and Quicksilver brands.

[Dustin07]

Originally Posted by Phillbo

Does not sound like you plan to own your current boat for long so you may want to skip it... I'm a long term type of owner.... Truck has 240K and boat has 650 hours.... I like to know what is going on..

Typically I'm the same, I've never sold or traded in a vehicle that wasn't fully paid for with less than 200k. My old boat I had for years (C-Dory CD22) and averaged 30 nights a year on it. This boat is our first boat as a married couple and I didn't know what to expect fully... happy wife, happy life. If your wife doesn't like your boat it changes things.

but as it turns out she loves it. Had it only since May and have had Three weekends on it, plus a week in the san juan islands, and every thursday for date night we bbq down on the boat.

The 2400 seemed HUGE to me when we first got it but we are spending so much time on it and finding this to be a good hobby for us, so given the right opportunity we are definitely interested in a larger model so we can spend more time on it. (fridge space, bed, head, etc. things that require slightly more room for a 2 week or longer stay). Although the more we see other boats at the marinas on our travels (four winns, sea ray, etc) the more Maxum brand loyal we really feel.

[Phillbo]

It's boating, you'll always want a bigger boat.

[Dustin07]

ha, so true. big boats are a bugger to moor and fuel though. ($$)