You can't avoid polluting water with your boat or watercraft, but you can lessen the damage by being informed and learning to be a more environmentally friendly boater. 

Your Boat Affects the Marine Environment

A boat can be an ideal vehicle for fun and relaxation, whether you use it to fish or just to cruise. Sadly, that soothing experience that you get from driving your watercraft doesn’t feel the same for water and the marine environment. Little by little, boats contribute to water pollution. Even the tiniest amount of toxic contamination can affect the lives of marine living beings. This pollution only increases as time goes by. You can help reduce your boat’s negative impact on aquatic environments. How? Start by being better informed about your boat’s effects and what you can change to reduce marine pollution. San Pedro Synthetics brings you some information to help you reduce your marine contamination in San Pedro.

Your Engine Matters: 2-Stroke Vs. 4-Stroke Engines

The type of engine in your boat has a significant influence in water pollution.  Many ships still come with 2-stroke engines. Two stroke-engines have a simple construction, they do the job, and they are cheaper than other options.  Unfortunately, these engines are also more polluting than their 4-stroke counterparts. Two-stroke engines release approximately 25-30%  of their fuel and oil mix into the water. Not only is this incredibly polluting, but it's also not fuel efficient at all. Still,  in defense of two-stroke engines, some newer models are built to be more eco-friendly. They release around 95% fewer contaminants into the environment than older models do. The best choice of engine to lessen your environmental impact is the 4-stroke.  Initially, these engines are pricer. They are meant to last longer and be more low maintenance if you service and care for them regularly. They have higher horsepower, and they solely rely on marine oil for lubrication, so the risk of fuel spilling into the water is minimal. If your engine ever gets damaged, it will most likely be due to negligence, and you will have to take it to a pro to get it fixed. Four-stroke engines are the most environmentally friendly option.

Look for Lubricants That Are Not as Harmful to the Environment

Your watercraft is always going to have an impact on the water. However, proper maintenance and appropriate lubrication can lower the effect. Oil is designed to protect your engine against friction and corrosion that can lead to metal wear, engine deterioration, and increased fuel consumption. The right marine engine can maximize your engine's performance. It's not enough to choose an oil that meets your engine's needs; you need to find one that is formulated to be more environmentally friendly. AMSOIL Synthetic Oil has a superb low toxicity marine oil line. If you're interested in making your 2-stroke less harmful to the environment, you should get their High-Performance Marine 2-Stroke Oil, which brings the ideal protection against rust, wear, and prevents deposit formations. Learn some more about AMSOIL's low toxicity lubricants by visiting their online store. If you prefer, you can call San Pedro Synthetics at (707) 567-7509 to hear about synthetic oil recommendations and what will best suit your engine's needs in San Pedro.

Other Things You Can Do to Reduce Water and Environmental Pollution in Marine Areas

Maintaining your engine in good condition is necessary to augment its efficiency and reduce your boat’s marine impact. You should know that oil and fuel are not the only elements that contribute to water pollution. There are all sorts of chemicals and even metal sheerings that your watercraft can leave in the water. Those undetected sources of contamination can seriously harm the environment. Here are some things you should consider to reduce environmental pollution and protect marine wildlife areas regarding your boat.

1. If you’re going to paint your boat or watercraft, be careful about choosing your paint. Look for a marine safe option with less heavy metals that won’t hurt the fish and other wildlife.
2. You can reduce gray-water discharge by using phosphate-free soap when doing your dishes or showering onboard.
3. Do your boat maintenance away from the water to avoid accidentally spilling oil, fuel, trash, and other contaminants into the water. Boats that are kept in healthy condition create less pollution and perform better.
4. Tune up your engine to reduce its noise, increase its efficiency, and limit its pollution.
5. Learn more about being an eco-friendly boater.
6. When you’re out in the water, remember to stow your trash so you can get rid of it once you come ashore.

Get Your Marine Oil in San Pedro

A boat, like any other vehicle, is less polluting when it has received proper maintenance. Remember that an essential part of maintenance is providing the right marine oil for your engine's needs. If you need a 2-stroke premixed formula like AMSOIL's Outboard 100:1 Pre-Mix Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil or just oil for a 4-stroke engine like  AMSOIL's 10W-30 Synthetic Marine Engine Oil you can get it from San Pedro Synthetics. Get your marine oil for your next synthetic oil change by calling them at (707) 567-7509 or browsing through their online store.