Drilling & Repairing Fiberglass

Learn the essential steps for drilling into fiberglass on your boat, whether installing equipment or making repairs. A Few Steps That Should Be Followed Fiberglass is light and it is durable — two important components for boat building. While many of the new models you will read about are made up of composites and use […]

Automatic Generator Starting

Explore the boat building mecca in Taiwan and learn about auto-starting generators for efficient battery charging. From The Masthead For those who don’t know it, Taiwan is a mecca for boat building and manufacturing of all sorts, everything from coffee pots and cookware to lathes and CNC routers are made here.  As I drive and […]

Making Hatch Seals Watertight

Keeping the water out is essential for the safety, comfort, and well being of your boat. Maybe it’s time to check those weather seals. There are lots of openings on your boat where the water can get in. We all know about the ones below the waterline, but what about the ones we seldom think […]

Outboard Steering Options

When it comes to outboard steering systems, you have choices. Read on to learn what might be right for your boat and your wallet. Most boaters don’t pay a lot of attention to their outboard boat’s steering system until it causes problems. Of course, that’s not the best way to approach steering system maintenance and […]

How To Replace Your Engine’s Gearcase Lubricant

Changing your lower-unit lube every fall is a necessity to eliminate any water and shavings before putting your boat to bed. At least once a year, preferably when the season ends, you need to drag the drain pan out, buy some new lube, and spend half an hour draining and refilling the unit. Here’s why: […]

Rigging Portable Trolling Motors

Here’s how to install battery-powered electric trolling motors that can be easily removed for space and weight. Bow-mounted electric trolling motors are standard gear aboard fishing boats of all sizes and styles these days, and they are handy for use in many fresh- and saltwater fishing situations. The downside is the weight and space the […]

Acting As Your Own Surveyor

There’s no substitute for a professional marine surveyor, but there are some basic DIY inspection techniques. Here are some expert tips to view a boat with a critical eye. As both a magazine editor and an accredited marine surveyor, I’ve been aboard hundreds of boats in my career. In the latter role, while many of […]

Rebedding Deck Hardware

A leaking deck fitting can cause damage to deck cores and boat interiors. But rebedding the deck hardware may be all that’s needed to keep the water out. Cleats, deck fills, lights, handrails, and winches are just a few of the many deck hardwares found on the average powerboat or sailboat. All usually require drilling […]

Upgrade Your Fuel Filter

Improve the performance of and access to your onboard fuel-water separator with this easy two-for-one project. The on-board fuel filter on my 20-foot outboard-powered center-console neglected to offer the water-separating qualities (not an uncommon problem) or the access I needed to easily check and change it. Here are the steps I took to upgrade the […]

Ground Tackle Upkeep

Anchoring out is fun if you have confidence that your anchor will hold. Regular inspection of your ground tackle helps you rest easy. Your ground tackle is only as strong as its weakest link, literally, and inspections should cover not only the anchor and rode, but also bitts, chocks, cleats, and any gear that’s part […]