Do i really need this much oil?

[seagullbeginner]

As some of you are aware i've just bought a forty minus short shaft.
It says on the engine identifier that the ration of 2 stroke oil to petrol is 10:1.
Now i know what John has put is right.
But that does seem like a hell of a lot of oil?!
My next question is, it has a standard tank on it, how much fuel does the standard tank hold?
& if motoring along (small 2 man dinghy) at mid speed, how long roughly would the fuel last for?

Thanks

[charlesp]

Your motor with a standard tank will hold 4 pints, and it'll use it at 1.7 pints per hour. That's according to the specification from the factory.

10:1 is the right mix, yes it's a lot of oil but if you run it at any less you will effectively run much richer and you'll have problems. Conversions are available, but best avoided in a motor the age of yours.

Good luck

[seagullbeginner]

Thanks Charles, much appreciated!

[The Tinker]

If tuned right you wont have a lot of smoke. Oil acts as crankcase seals.