The Low Down on Coaxial Cable and Connectors

Text and photos copyright © 2018 Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. From the Masthead It’s happened on countless occasions, most recently just a few weeks ago while on a sea trial out of a South Florida inlet.  The conditions were bumpy, 6 foot seas with a short period, (along with the most vivid case of sea […]

Moving A Boat From Freshwater To Saltwater

A change of maintenance habits — and anodes — is the key to transitioning from inland to coastal waters. You don’t need census statistics to tell you that plenty of lifelong freshwater boaters eventually head south to spend their retirement in warmer climes, such as coastal Florida and the Gulf Coast. Your beloved sterndrive powerboat […]

Removing Fishline From Props

Fishing line can cause a world of damage to your engine. We’ve all seen this. A fisherman gets his or her reel snarled with a tangle of fishing line, cuts it all off, throws it in the lake, and restrings the reel. Seems harmless enough, right? After all, that mess just sinks to the bottom, […]

Boat Deck Alternatives

Attractive, nonskid alternatives to teak decking have come a long way. Although many boaters might not think of it this way, a boat’s deck is a critical piece of safety gear. Its job? To keep your feet, and therefore you, firmly planted onboard. Traditionally, decking achieved the necessary nonskid properties in one of three ways: […]

Outboard Flushing, The Right Way

It sounds simple, but hang on! There’s a right and a wrong way to perform this essential task. Back in the day, flushing an outboard with fresh water was done only one way. A set of “ear muffs” or “flush muffs” was fitted around the engine’s gearcase to cover the water intakes, connected to a […]