Ways to Reduce Water Pollution From Your Boat
Boats of all types contaminate the waters you put them in, but there are steps you can take to mitigate the process. As more and more vessels contribute to the pollution of different marine environments, boat owners must understand their role in reducing water pollution. Sometimes it can be as simple as choosing a less harmful product. If you are curious and want to learn more, please visit us at The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) in Branson, Missouri. We welcome customers from Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri.
Type of Engine
If you can choose your boat engine, you should pick a four-stroke design over a two-stroke model. Two-stroke engines are known to be less efficient at discharging unburned fuel, which means much more pollution ends up in the water surrounding your boat. Four-stroke engines release up to 97% fewer pollutants depending on the model.
Take note of the size of your engine, too. If you use a large engine in a small body of water, you will cause more pollution than with a smaller engine.
Use Less Harmful Lubricants
Boat owners need to use lubricants to protect the metal parts of their engines from corrosion. However, some boat lubricants are high in toxic chemicals that can leech into the water. Check your products before you purchase them to ensure you are getting a low toxicity brand. Consider switching to other products that are designed to be safer for the marine environment.
Maintain Your Engine's Condition
An engine in excellent condition can more efficiently burn fuel and discharge unburned fuel. If you let the maintenance on your engine lapse, you can make some problems worse. A poorly maintained boat will create more pollution over time. Plus, it will not perform at its best. You can also tune your engine before using it. Tuning the engine can make it more efficient and less likely to pollute. Plus, a tune-up can reduce the noise of your boat engine significantly.
Use Non-Toxic Boat Paint
Many boat owners decide to give their vessel a fresh coat of paint to help it look brand-new again. If you are planning to paint your boat, remember to look for a non-toxic boat paint to use. There are many products on the market that use substances that are friendlier to wildlife and fish.
Take these steps to do your part in protecting the marine environment. If you want to keep the waters you love looking beautiful, do it with the help of The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) team. Our dealership, located in Branson, Missouri, offers advice to customers in Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri.