What To Know About Boat Insurance

Learn the essential steps for drilling into fiberglass on your boat, whether installing equipment or making repairs. What Should A Boat Insurance Policy Include? Coverage for the boat, engine, boating equipment, dinghies, and trailer. Medical payments coverage for onboard injuries and liability coverage for any property damage or bodily injury you are legally responsible for. […]

The Art Of The Engine Survey

Ensure a thorough engine survey for your boat! Experienced technicians, proper tools, fluid analysis, and detailed reports are crucial. In the past year I’ve carried out scores of sea trials.  The bulk of these were associated with pre-purchase inspections, while others were to diagnose and troubleshoot problems or evaluate completed repairs, and still others were designed […]

Capacity, Stability, & Safety: How Many Is Too Many?

Learn from a tragic boat accident: Naval architects propose capacity plates for powerboats over 20 ft, emphasizing safety over sheer numbers. Boaters gather every year in Long Island Sound for the dozens of private and municipal Fourth of July fireworks displays visible from the water. Among the hundreds of boats on the Sound last year […]

How To Prevent Outdrive Corrosion

Here are the obvious and the not-so-obvious mistakes that can cause such severe damage, and how to avoid them. The damage to the outdrive in the picture is severe, likely starting with a few bubbles in the paint, the first telltale sign that something was wrong. Corrosion, especially on aluminum, changes the surface of the […]

First Aid Kits

Stay prepared at sea with a well-equipped first aid kit for your boat. Learn what essentials to include for minor injuries and unexpected emergencies. When you are out on your boat, there is no well-stocked pharmacy close at hand and you are beyond the reach of quick-response medical assistance. You will be helpless to deal […]

Fire Extinguishers

Coast Guard regulations may require a second B-II fire extinguisher. Opt for B-II or larger B-I extinguishers for effective protection. Here is a statistic you should know. Those 10-BC dry chemical fire extinguishers we all carry (designated B-I by the Coast Guard) will discharge for maybe 10 seconds. For an onboard fire with a head […]

Boat Marina Liability

If you assume that the marina will pay for the damages, you may be in for a shock. Consider the following scenarios… 1. The mechanic who works at your marina test drives your boat following engine repairs. Something goes wrong, he loses control, and the boat causes — and sustains — considerable damage when it […]

How To Change Boat Engine Oil

Learn the essential steps for drilling into fiberglass on your boat, whether installing equipment or making repairs. With any maintenance procedure, the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to get done. So rather than put off changing your engine oil or transmission fluid, take a few moments to master the procedure […]

Analyzing Electrical Fires On Boats

Your electrical system gives you lights, communications, cold drinks, and much more. But it’s also the place where electrical fires start. We analyzed five years of BoatUS Marine Insurance claim files and found that the boat’s DC electrical system — batteries, lights, wiring, and so on — cause more than a third of all fires. […]

Onboard Electrical Hazards

There are plenty of ways electricity can create havoc on a boat. A longtime marine surveyor walks you through the problem areas. 1. Incorrectly sized fuses can cause a fire. 2. Corroded or broken wires can introduce DC power into bilge water, resulting in accelerated corrosion issues. Inspect connections for corrosion or failure. Bilge pumps […]