Boaters? I have a boat that can take up to 4 quarts of oil?

Question

Can I fill it all the way up with 4 quarts of oil? Is that ok or will I need to do something different? Also where can I take my boat battery to have it charged up?

Answer 1

buy yourself a battery charger. it is much easier.

not sure about the oil thing though. You did not give any details.

Answer 2

Enroll in a boaters education course before you go out on the water in your boat. You need a lot of education about boats and the water.  The battery charger can be purchased at an auto parts store or several other locations.  The oil fill depends on the type of engine, there should be a mark on the engine dipstick just like in a car.

Answer 3

If you are talking about an I/O or an inboard engine four quarts sounds correct. Fill it up, and check the level on dipstick. Could be five, (which is the quantity for my I/O) could even be six in some engines.

Buy a battery charger. No boat owner should be without one. I own a half a dozen and there are at least two on loan every day of the summer.

Edit: with all due respect to the Havoc Squad

     Don't sweat the details in the beginning, at least don't let it keep you off the water.

    Sterndrive boats such as MerCruiser are referred to as Inboard/Outboard (I/O) Inboard engines are what you will see on high perf. ski boats. The running gear is a shaft, prop, and rudder.

     Marine Mechanics are not the last word, watch them like a hawk, they are not to be trusted.

     Oil is oil, and it should be changed every year. If you have the right weight and amount, all will be fine.

Answer 4

I also agree, you sound very new to this and you absolutely must take a basic boater education course before trying to go to the lake or river.  There is lots of things you need to know and things you are required by law to know about boating.  Ignorance is not a defense against getting a ticket or being sued due to an accident.  Boating safety is just as serious as driving safety, if not more important.

Second, you need to take your boat to a marine mechanic you can trust and learn EVERYTHING you need to know about your boat.  When someone asks you, you need to easily be able to recall from memory the following:

Year of boat manfactured

Year of outboard or inboard motor

Brand of motor (GM/Ford)

Horsepower of motor

If your boat has a sterndrive (has an "inboard" motor), you need to know the type (Mercrusier/OMC).  It also helps if you know the specific model (Mercrusier Alpha, Bravo, etc.)  

If you recently purchased or acquired it, you need to have it checked out by a marine mechanic as "preventative maintenance".  This will save you big $$$ if for some reason it was neglected some from the previous owner or by yourself accidently.  

See all those questions here about major boat engine/drive problems, that's what will end up most likely happening soon if you don't take the recommended suggestions and rules your marine mechanic gives you to follow.

Finally, three rules you should never to break regarding the operation of any boat or personal watercraft or pay lots of money in repair costs.

First, NEVER run a boat out of the water for ANY reason without being hooked up to a water hose with water flowing to it.  Your mechanic or a regular boater can easily show you how to hook your boat up to run with a hose while on a trailer.

Second, NEVER use cheap oil.  This does not give you any savings in money.  It just delays the repair bill of your motor that you will cause.

Third, ALWAYS use the oil that is recommended from the owner's manual of the motor for your boat.  Your mechanic should be able to tell you this if you do not have a manual for your boat motor.  Failure to do this will also result in expensive repair bills.

Hope this helps you guide you to making good educated decisions so you can learn what you need to know and soon be able to go boating safely.