Outboard motors are used to power a variety of watercraft, from small fishing boats to large yachts. These motors are subjected to constant moisture and high-rpm loads, which can negatively affect their performance and have a significant impact on your overall enjoyment of boating.

Understanding the top five things that affect outboard performance is key to ensuring that your outboard motor is running at its best and doesn’t leave you stranded on the water.

#1 Marina Fuel quality

The quality of fuel has a significant impact on the performance and reliability of your outboard motor. You should always use a reliable source of fresh, clean, ethanol-free fuel that meets the manufacturer’s specifications for the engine. Do you know what the Marina carries versus what you can buy on the highway? Do the fools there even know what the condition of their tanks are? Gasoline with a low octane rating or containing water, ethanol or other contaminants can cause significant engine performance problems.

Ethanol is an alcohol and solvent that also readily absorbs water from the air, which can damage fuel system components, cause corrosion, reduce power and even cause the engine to fail. These problems are exacerbated by extended periods of storage, when water can separate from the fuel and contaminated gas can clog up the system, making for hard starts and poor performance.

To maintain peak outboard engine performance in severe-service marine environments, AMSOIL Synthetic Marine Engine Oil provides increased engine protection against rust and corrosion caused by moisture entering the engine. And don’t forget to add AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer or Quickshot (which I sell a TON of!)  to the fuel tank for additional protection anytime you are storing your boat.

#2 Maintenance

Proper maintenance is essential for keeping your outboard motor running at its best. This includes regularly changing the spark plugs, motor oil, and oil and fuel filters, as well as checking the belts and hoses for wear. Neglecting to perform regular maintenance will reduce the performance of your outboard motor, until it eventually needs to be repaired or replaced.

Spark plugs are essential for igniting the fuel-air mixture in the cylinders. Worn, dirty or fouled plugs cause poor combustion, misfires, loss of power and increased fuel consumption. Inspect and replace spark plugs according to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.

The exhaust system of your outboard motor is designed to expel the burned gases from the engine and to reduce noise. However, clogged, damaged or leaking exhaust can affect the performance and efficiency of your engine, so check your exhaust system periodically and repair any problems immediately.

The lower unit of your outboard motor is continuously submerged when in use, making it prone to water intrusion and lubrication failure, which can cause damage to the gears that propel your boat. AMSOIL Synthetic Marine Gear Lube reduces friction and wear, and protects against rust and corrosion, providing excellent gear and bearing protection, even when contaminated with 15% water.

When you drain and replace the lower gear oil watch CLOSELY for air or water in the mix. Don’t wait long to get significant issues repaired.  The Amsoil marine gear lube adds an advantage in these marginal conditions.

#3 Engine size and height

Changing the position of the outboard motor optimizes your motor’s performance for different water conditions. The trim angle refers to the angle of the outboard motor in relation to the water’s surface, which significantly impacts the boat’s speed, fuel consumption and handling performance.

Raising the engine higher also raises the bow, lightens the steering, reduces drag and increases boat speed. However, raising it too high can cause ventilation, which is the result of air or exhaust gases being pulled into the propeller blades and causing the blades to lose their grip on the water. It can also create cavitation, which is an extreme reduction in pressure on the back side of the propeller blades that reduces performance.

Try different speed tests. If you see the sheriff or game warden out there ask if he can clock your speed as you try to reach max speed. And tell him you are using AMSOIL.

#4 Propeller selection:

The propeller is responsible for transmitting the engine’s power to the water and plays a crucial role in speed, acceleration, fuel efficiency and handling. If your propeller cannot smoothly cut through the water, it will cause disturbances that often result in cavitation and reduced performance.

Let me tell you something right now. Choosing the right propeller involves a combination of factors, including the size and weight of your boat, the engine’s horsepower, and the type of water you’ll be boating in. You may need to try different props when seeking the right balance of material, diameter, pitch, number of blades and cupping for your specific boating needs.

The right propeller allows your motor to achieve maximum speed and efficiency, while the wrong one can decrease performance, increase fuel consumption and potentially damage your engine.

#5 Weight distribution

The amount of weight and distribution of people and gear on the boat can also affect performance, and an overloaded boat will put more stress on the outboard motor. An uneven distribution of weight can cause your boat to sit too low in the water, reducing its speed and increasing fuel consumption. Conversely, a high bow can cause your boat to plane poorly, leading to potentially dangerous handling. Be sure to balance the weight distribution to get the maximum performance from your outboard motor.

Pete Maina, Waters & Woods photo shoot