"WaIIy" wrote in

My thanks to everyone for their thoughts and also thanks for not talking
about Edwards or Bush oil.

Now that I'm thoroughly confused, I'll sift through your suggestions a
few more times.

Wally - don't be confused, just use the recommended oil for the weather you
generally use the boat in and don't put another thought into it! Frankly,
either 30 wt. or 40 wt or a Merc-recommended multi weight, for anything
between 50 and 100 degrees F - I really dont' think it matters
significantly! The lake or ocean water's essentially the same, and the
thermostat you use is essentially the same. Just latch on to a bona-fide
authoritative (e.g. Merc) recommendation, and go with it.

By far, the most important "oil" thing to do is change the oil regularly
and frequently. All the other advantages and disadvantages of mulit vs
straight weight, dino vs. synthetic are so insignificant compared to that.
Yes, they *might* exist, but if so, are very, very (very, very, very) small
compared to just using fresh oil and filters and being good about changing
the oil. You use any of the recommended oil, change it frequently, you
can't do anything better, in a practical sense. Just mho of course, but I'm
right!

Camilo