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 […]
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 […]
Three Alarms That Can Save Your Boat
There’s no cause for alarm, but installing these three types of detectors could save not only your boat but your life. Fires that start on unoccupied boats in marinas represent significant losses every year, according to BoatUS Marine Insurance, and my own experience as a surveyor. Propulsion fires while underway also represent a great number […]
Guard Against Disaster, Use Marine Parts
Onboard fires happen more than you’d think. Here’s what digging into the GEICO | BoatUS Marine Insurance claim files teaches us about preventing them. In shopping for replacement parts for your boat’s engine, you may discover an annoying price difference between “marine” parts and common automotive parts. The difference is due to small but important […]
Why You Should Use A Float Plan
When your day doesn’t go as planned — and you’re not back at the dock when expected — someone needs valuable info to send the cavalry. You’re a few miles from shore, wrapping up a few hours of fishing, when you turn the key to start the engine and hear “click.” Your battery is dead, […]
