Conducting your own personal test run can diagnose all kinds of problems before the big day.
Our experts have spoken. Here are the top "canned goods" you should be stocking on board.
Expert troubleshooter Steve Zimmerman's top seven technical tips for boat shoppers.
Using the correct fasteners for different applications can prevent onboard problems.
Alloys can be made of many materials. On boats, they’re not interchangeable.
Keep these practical nuggets in your mental toolbox for when the do-it-yourself spirit takes hold.
Moisture is the enemy. Here’s how to keep it out—and what to do if it gets in.
Our expert troubleshooter, Steve Zimmerman, unpacks the often confusing metric of fuel burn.
Whether Hauling Out Annually (Northeasterners) or Less Often (Southerners, Westeners), Get the Most From Time 'on the Hard'
Here's what to expect if you hire a professional inspector, and how to proceed if you want to inspect your own engine.
Take the following considerations to heart during your next refit to save time, money and your sanity.
Manage these engine exhaust system components to keep your diesels firing on all cylinders.
Following a few basic procedures can ensure that you and your boat arrive with no more problems than the one that stopped you in the first place.
This clever DIY anchor chain washdown is what every gunkholer needs.
Eventually, time and wear catch up and the situation will call for a rebuild, a remanufactured engine, or a new engine.
The Definitive Guide To What You Need To Know About Shorepower Code Changes - It Could Save Your Life.
Steve Zimmerman explains choosing the right sealant for the job and why 5200 shouldn't be your go to.
Steve Zimmerman walks through the pro's and con's of various methods of stabilization.
Steve Zimmerman goes over best practices for storing anchors while underway and broaches the controversial topic of anchor swivels.
Our troubleshooting guru, Steve Zimmerman, takes us through how to properly maintain your raw water pumps.
Steve Zimmerman explains how to troubleshoot issues with your marine diesel engine's starter.
A reliable genset can be essential to comfortable cruising. These skills can save your cruise.
Technical contributor Steve Zimmerman on how to manage and maintain cable and hydraulic steering systems
Steve Zimmerman's espouses the virtues of an articulated rudder in his latest column "The Right Stuff"
It’s a simple problem, though not an easy one to solve: How do you allow a 2-inch-diameter propeller shaft to penetrate through the bottom of your hull, give it enough freedom to spin over 1,000 times a minute, yet not allow water to pass through the hole?
Boat buyers often take strong positions on galley stoves, insisting that they would never expose themselves to the risks of an explosion posed by propane.
Let’s imagine that the boat has been hauled, and a dozen or so blisters can be observed. How do you determine the severity of the problem? Should you walk away, or perhaps renegotiate in hopes of lowering the price?
An Inexpensive Piece of Gear Can Diagnose an Engine’s Illness; Both cheap and easy to use, a handheld pyrometer could be one of the most useful tools in your collection.
In my many decades of working on boats, it is quite possible that the most reliable tool i have ever carried is not actually a tool at all; its my little black book.
Like the proverbial tail wagging the dog, a $50 solenoid can stop a $3,000 windlass from raising the anchor or prevent the engine from starting. Knowing how these simple devices work may save your cruise.
If you are commissioning your own boat, it can be a challenge to prioritize your time. What should be done before launching? What should be done just after launching? And which tasks can be tackled during the season?
If you are commissioning your own boat, it can be a challenge to prioritize your time. The late author and consultant Stephen Covey taught people how to manage their time by dividing the demands into four quadrants: