project: oil change kit

I have not changed the oil in the boat since I've owned it. It is a project that has needed to get done, but because of all the other projects and the overwhelming urge to actually go sailing (what's that?) I have been putting it off. It doesn't help that it's damn awkward to change the oil. For a long time I didn't have the proper pump, and even after I bought it, I wasn't too excited about threading the draw tube down the dipstick hole. I kept imagining it as, well, sort of like giving the boat a catheter, and I just couldn't bring myself to doing it.

But then I found this kit on Moyer Marine that allows us to change the oil with ease.

There's a fat plug on the port side of the engine that accesses the oil pan. That comes off and in its place goes an identical plug with a tube on it that looks like a metal straw. That reaches down to the bottom of the oil pan, getting all of that nasty, dirty lube out of there.

On the other end of the straw is a threaded hole where we can screw in a 90° or a straight barb that connects to hose. This hose connects to our pump with yet another barb.

It's a pretty sweet system and I bet I could change the oil and not spill a single drop. When I am done with the valves I'm'na change the oil and I'll update you on how it goes.