At 07:17 PM 10/8/98, Keith wrote: >Steve, > >The manufacturer of XPA, who by the way also races automobiles, says in his >opinion that Mobile 1 is the best. I use it in my 1991 Ford Escort with >over 160,000 miles on it and the engine runs like new with lower than >average emissions. You got my vote for Mobile 1. Mobile 1 is certainly a good oil, but I've put more than twice that many miles on an automobile engine, always buying whatever was cheapest at K-mart. My current car has nearly that many miles on it, also with whatever was cheapest. The point is that the number of miles you put onto an automobile engine is a poor measure of the quality of an oil. Some synthetic oils are sold as a means of increasing the drain interval for oil changes. This is really stupid. The reason for changing the oil is not because it wears out, but because it gets dirty. Changing to synthetic oil does nothing to change the rate at which it gets dirty, so therefore you should change the oil at the same change interval as with regular oil--unless you also improve your filter system to keep the oil cleaner for a longer period of time. The real advantage of Mobile 1 or other synthetic oils is that they are very low in friction. This translates into better fuel economy, which is always important to trawler owners. My vote would therefore be to use a synthetic, but at the same time also use a very excellent by-pass filter with it. That would be the best combination. I do not have my Mobile book with me, but I believe that they may sell a synthetic oil on the commercial market that is even better than Mobile 1. (Many of the commercial oils are not generally available on the retail market.) It would pay to check out the specs for all the oils before you settled on any one oil in particular--if you are going make the investment to switch to synthetics. Several other companies also make very excellent synthetic oils. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ :: Paul and Cindy Kruse :: KJV Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, 165 South Kenneth Court :: my peace I give unto you: Merritt Island, FL 32952 :: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. E-mail: plkruse@iu.net :: Let not your heart be troubled, 407-453-6206 :: neither let it be afraid. :: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I would also like to see more from current boat owners and liveaboards

The whole oil change and oil additive posts are starting to bore me.

    Dot hurt me to bad, just my opinions,      Myles!!!

I couldn't agree with Paul more on this one. Another factor is who designed and built the engine. That is more important than changing the oil. A low quality engine doesn't care how many times you change its oil, it might help in the extreme long run, but it wont change the inevitable doom. And the most important factor is keeping the oil clean, if you have to change it to keep it clean, you got a headache waiting to happen. I hope we can get this much interest in fuel, cooling, and electrical systems. Odds are that if you breakdown, that is where it is going to be. Props, shafts, and shaft packings wouldn't be bad either. I would also like to see more from current boat owners and liveaboards on their budgets. How much is spent annually and where have you made adjustments that saved the most? The whole oil change and oil additive posts are starting to bore me. Dot hurt me to bad, just my opinions, Myles!!!