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 […]
5 Spring Claims To Avoid
Our GEICO | BoatUS Marine Insurance claim files highlight the most common springtime problems. Here’s how to avoid being one of our statistics. Last spring, a GEICO | BoatUS insured was readying his 27-foot cruiser for launch. He checked the bilge pump, fuel lines, and stuffing box and did his usual thorough inspection from bow […]
How Secure Is Your Yacht?
Regardless of the boat you own, you want peace of mind when away. Here’s the latest and greatest in safety, security, and remote monitoring. Whether you’re talking about security and monitoring systems for homes, cars, or boats, new tech has made today’s options more numerous, easier to install and use, and far more comprehensive. Advances […]
Embracing E-Boating Efficiencies
Eyeing an electric boat but not quite ready to take the plunge? Here are some ways to “electrify” your current cruiser. The benefits of electric boating are clear: silent motors, increased torq, renewable recharging, and reduced fossil fuel consumption. Fortunately, you don’t need an electric boat to take advantage of many of these benefits. Here […]
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 […]
Battery Cabling & OCP Service
Discover crucial insights on battery cabling and high-amperage overcurrent protection, exploring ABYC standards, battery banks, fuses, and more for optimal marine electrical systems. There are several practical considerations that ABYC doesn’t really address about battery cabling and high-amperage overcurrent protection. Although ABYC standards permit up to four cables to be connected to a battery stud, […]
Engine Room Inspection
Explore a captivating journey through diverse landscapes from Washington to Oregon. Plus, dive into crucial tips for safe underway engine room inspections. From the Masthead I’m writing this column, while lying alongside a dock in Portland, Oregon, having just completed an eight-day passage from Kennewick, Washington, via the Columbia River. The trek took us through […]
Reference Cell Testing
Delve into corrosion analysis and learn the crucial role of sacrificial anodes in protecting underwater metals. Discover how to perform a reference electrode test for effective cathodic protection. From the Masthead I recently made a flight aboard a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, a seaplane manufactured in 1959. It’s in commercial service and flies almost every […]
