Changing Oil in the Fish Nautique

I use the oil pan drain line when changing the oil in my 1982 SN, but the engine sets lower in the 1987 FN and access is limited. The FN has a rear drain plug as well, so the one under the engine is not normally removed as it is difficult to reach.

My plan was to try a device that pumps from the oil dipstick. The first product I tried was from Harbor Freight. It is a hand pump built into a 1.5 gallon tank. After waqrming the engine up I inserted the line through the dipstick and pumping 1000 times on a North Carolina summer day with 95 degree heat and 98 % humidity, I abandoned this method after removing 2 ounces of oil.

Next up was a drill powered pump from Overton's with much the same results. Primed the pump, turned on the drill and spun the pump untill it got hot. After 10 minutes about an ounce of oil was removed.

I'm headed back to Overton's for another try. Any Suggestions ?

I use the "Suck Up" that SkiDIM used to sell to pull oil out of the dipstick on my boats that dont have the oil drain hose. It takes a little bit to draw 5 qts out of a 1/4" line, but it works great. I think the Suck Up is back ordered, but Gary uses a similar model (Mitivac) that is supposed to work great as well.

If you do have the drain hose, I suggest using it. The drain plug on the v-hulls (like your Fish and our BFN) is a little more difficult than the flat bottomed boats, but certainly doable. I find reaching down from the port side is easiest.

TRBenj wrote: Gary uses a similar model (Mitivac) that is supposed to work great as well.

The MityVac is a completely outstanding product. Found mine on Amazon.com for a great price. I use it to change the oil on our BMWs- that plus the top-loading filter cartridge setup means no going under the car whatsoever on those vehicles. Can't wait to try it out on the boat oil and trans fluid.