Oil Sample Analysis
Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, and an oil sample analysis can identify potential problems before they become major. A lot goes on inside your engine. Pistons race up and down, valves snap open and closed, gears spin — and everything’s working at breakneck speed to produce the power you need to propel your […]
Your Pre-Launch Checklist
Before you head out for your first foray this year, run through this countdown to make sure all systems are a go. Cutless Bearing Grab your prop shaft and shake it vigorously from side to side and up and down. More than just a little bit of movement means the bearing needs to be replaced. […]
Boating Safety
Understand your boat, follow navigation rules, wear life jackets, stay alert to weather changes, and take a Boating Safety Class. “Fun,” “speed,” “freedom” and “escape” are the catch phrases often hyped by boat advertisers who rarely use the word “safety.” But safety is just as important since the marine environment can be unforgiving. Safe boating […]
Bilge Pump Basics
They’re your last line of defense against sinking, so give them some respect — and a little love from time to time. Due to the lack of maintenance they receive from the average boat owner, I often refer to bilge pumps as the Rodney Dangerfield of boat equipment, meaning “they just don’t get no respect.” […]
Boat Enclosure Maintenance
Have you seen the price of replacement canvas lately? Modest care and timely repairs can save you from shelling out for years to come. If you want to keep your boat’s enclosure in top shape for many seasons to come, just remember PCP. We’re talking prevention, cleaning, and protection here. PREVENT costly repairs or replacement by restitching […]
The Care And Feeding Of Your Sterndrive
Keeping your sterndrive in tip-top shape will add years to its life — and help to keep your boat from sinking. Sterndrives were first commercially introduced in the early 1960s, and came to dominate the boat propulsion market in short order. The biggest names in the sterndrive game today are Mercury and Volvo with thousands […]
Installing A Remote Fuel Filter
Enhance the safeguarding of your motor with added security by incorporating a remote fuel filter, providing an additional layer of protection for your engine. Your boat needs a remote fuel filter. More specifically, a water-separating, spin-on, remote fuel filter. Inconsistent fuel quality practically mandates this easy-to-install accessory. While it’s not as sexy as a new […]
Spring Engine Startup
Shake off the cobwebs of winter with this system-by-system commissioning plan. The first engine startup marks the beginning of the season. Getting your boat ready for another season’s use is one of the joys of springtime. Lots of great emotions are awakened; the possibilities for new boating adventures seem endless. Making sure your boat is […]
Five Reasons You May Need To Change Your Propeller
Selecting the proper propeller for the job is a matter of listening to what your boat is telling you. Make sure to keep an open ear. A member in Jacksonville, Florida, had just purchased an aging 25-foot fishing boat with twin 200-hp outboards. As sometimes happens with a “new” boat, it didn’t take long before […]
Do I Need Boat Insurance?
You’re probably not required by law to carry boat insurance, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to get it. A few states require that you have liability coverage on certain types of boats — powerboats with more than 50 horsepower or personal watercrafts (PWCs), for example — or on boats used in state parks […]
