Bilge Pump Systems: Design & Installation
Ensure your vessel’s safety through bilge pump systems. Electrical, plumbing, and capacity considerations for effective installation. There are few things I enjoy more than cruising, particularly in remote locations. Not only does this fulfill a personal need, it enables me to remain fresh and sharp, to see, feel and think what my clients and readers […]
Maintaining Engine Temperatures
Guard your marine diesel engine against heat-related havoc. Cooling systems, heat exchangers, and maintenance prevents failures on your boat. Diesel engines generate high internal temperatures and this heat wreaks havoc with the various systems. In addition to keeping the engine from overheating, the cooling system on a modern diesel must also maintain the temperature of […]
Avoiding Boat Electrical Mistakes
Problems in your boats electrical system can destroy your pride and joy. Be especially careful around these common problem areas. In any given year, I inspect quite a few boats. These range from simple tenders to extremely complicated power and sailing yachts. When it comes to electrical systems and their installations, I keep a watchful […]
Inboard Transmission Maintenance
When planning to change boat fluids, don’t forget the transmission. It’s messy, but someone’s got to do it, and no reason it can’t be you. Yes, it’s a messy job, but someone’s got to do it, and there’s no reason it can’t be you. In fact, you could argue that it’s better if you do […]
New Safety Guidelines From ABYC
Every year, industry experts meet for a week to develop safety standards for boats. Here’s what came out of the last meeting. One day, if you have time, look through the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations. You’ll find hundreds of federal laws that cover almost every aspect of a vehicle, extending to trucks, […]
Environmentally Friendly Below The Waterline
The evolution of environmentally friendly paints below the waterline. Effective antifouling for low environmental impact. Over the past five years, below the waterline paint manufacturers have made great strides in creating effective antifoulants that greatly reduce impact on the environment. Selecting a “green” bottom paint no longer means choosing a less effective one. Before we […]
Preventing Mold & Mildew
Storing a boat out of the water in the winter won’t keep mold and mildew at bay. Learn to prevent this in order to keep your boat in shape. Most boat insurance policies (including BoatUS/GEICO Marine) typically don’t cover mold damage. So it can be a rude awakening to open your boat in the spring […]
Choosing A Marine Battery
There’s more to choosing the right battery for your boat than you may think. Making a smart decision now could save you big in the long run. So, the batteries on your boat have come to end of their life, and you need to buy new ones. But what should you choose? You would think […]
Bleeding A Marine Diesel Engine
To rely on a diesel inboard, and to help you get to know your engine better, put this skill in your mental toolbox. Despite all my years of boating, I’m still surprised at the air of anxiety-inducing mystique that surrounds diesel engines. A comment I often hear is that diesels are complicated to work on […]
Boat Maintenance Tips
Use these insights so your boat’s bits and pieces stay moving! These maintenance tips contain crucial information for every boat owner. Invest In Oil (Changes) Frequent oil changes ward off breakdowns and extend the life of your engine(s) by thousands of hours. It’s as simple as that. Engine manuals typically specify changing the oil every […]
