ARTICLES
Marine Industry Knowledge

Trawler Skills – Trawler Tips
We know that most people like to learn by watching. There are so many things going on with the proper

Inspect Your Boat’s Navigation Lights
Navigation light inspections are a critical part of boat ownership. Don’t take your red and green safety gear for granted.

Give Your Boat A Lift
Lifts are a convenient way to store your boat when not in use. But poor maintenance and misuse can lead

Upgrade Your Boat Trailer Winch
This simple, one-hour project will make it easier to load your boat onto its trailer. Replacing your boat trailer’s winch

The Future Of Boats & Boating
BoatUS Magazine editors predict what recreational vessels — and boating in general — will look like in the year 2044. Mark

Amp Up Your Boat’s Performance
Everyone wants to get more out of their boats. Here’s a look at 4 common ways you can improve your

Mindful Maintenance
When troubleshooting problems with liquefied petroleum gas, safety always has to come first. The owner of a 36-foot lobster yacht

Analyzing Onboard Fire Claims
Onboard fires happen more than you’d think. Here’s what digging into the GEICO | BoatUS Marine Insurance claim files teaches

Trawler Skills
Trawler Skills has been created to offer insights and recommendations for current and future trawler owners. This section is trawler-centric,

Reference Cell Testing; Know Thy Corrosion Protection Level – Editorial: Old vs. New
Text and photos © 2021 Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. From the Masthead I recently made a flight aboard a

J/Boats Goes Electric
Iconic sailboat maker J/Boats has introduced its new J/9 daysailer with an optional factory-installed electric pod drive. “In recent years,

Cruising Conversations – Episode 6 – Wilson Lin – POCTA
The DeFever line of trawlers has enjoyed an incredible acceptance by the boating market since first being introduced in the

July 2021 Newsletter “Vented Loop Remote Drains”
Text and photos © 2021 Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. Photo Essay: Vented Loop Remote Drains Vented loops, sometimes called

Engine Room Inspection – Editorial: Cruising the Columbia River
Text and photos © 2021 Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. From the Masthead I’m writing this column, while lying alongside

Cruising In Style
This little ‘low rider’ bowrider may not float, but it will certainly turn heads and draws a crowd wherevers it

BATTERY CABLING & OCP Service and Repair Procedures
BY STEVE ZIMMERMAN www.zimmermanmarine.com Introduction: There are several practical considerations that ABYC doesn’t really address about battery cabling and high-amperage

Ground Tackle Upkeep
Anchoring out is fun if you have confidence that your anchor will hold. Regular inspection of your ground tackle helps

Small Outboard Innovations
Improvements in small outboards may pass under the radar. But they also make today’s under-100-hp class more reliable and efficient

Get ‘Smart’ With Blue Guard Innovation
Smart Skipper offers remote monitoring, systems control, and oil/fuel detector. Remote monitor and control systems for boats have become quite

June 2021 Newsletter “AC Ground Wire Sizing”
From the Masthead Let me begin by apologizing to Marine Systems Excellence readers for our hiatus. As most boat owners,

If Your Outboard Could Talk
Yamaha Outboards partners with Siren Marine to develop technology that includes automotive-like remote monitoring. Outboard manufacturer Yamaha has formed a strategic alliance

5 Ways To Embrace E-Boating Efficiencies (Without Buying A New Boat)
Eyeing an electric boat but not quite ready to take the plunge? Here are some ways to “electrify” your current

How Secure Is Your Boat?
Regardless of the boat you own, you want peace of mind when away. Here’s the latest and greatest in safety,

5 Spring Claims To Avoid
Our GEICO | BoatUS Marine Insurance claim files highlight the most common springtime problems. Here’s how to avoid being one

Upgrade Your Fuel Filter
Improve the performance of and access to your onboard fuel-water separator with this easy two-for-one project. The on-board fuel filter

Rebedding Deck Hardware
A leaking deck fitting can cause damage to deck cores and boat interiors. But rebedding may be all that’s needed

Meet OSCAR, Your Virtual Lookout
Move over Siri and Alexa! Meet the new artificial intelligence gear designed to help boaters avoid collisions. There’s nothing more

Onboard Communications Get More Effective
We review new technology that combines the functions of a VHF radio, DSC emergency signaling, MOB tracking, and an AIS

New Law Requires Skippers To Use Engine Cutoff Device
Federal safety rule, which goes into effect April 1, 2021, applies to boats less than 26 feet operating at plane

The 600-HP Outboard Has Arrived
Mercury Marine achieves horsepower milestone the new V12 600-hp Verado engine — redefining outboard performance. Remember when 200-hp outboard engines