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Swivels: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Consider these simple solutions to keep swivels from compromising your ground tackle.
Steve Zimmerman The Right Stuff: Articulated Rudder
Steve Zimmerman's espouses the virtues of an articulated rudder in his latest column "The Right Stuff"
Avoid Common Repair-Shop Woes With These Helpful Tips
BoatUS has surveyed its BoatUS Dispute Resolution files to identify eight trouble spots that boaters needing work done should know.
Troubleshooter: Take Your Trawler's Temperature
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.
Troubleshooter: In Defense Of The Pocket Reference
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.
ISSUE PREVIEW: Restoration Options For Wooden Boats (PHOTO GALLERY)
Featured in the May/June 2016 Issue, Splinters is a classic Grand Banks aged past her years. With a heavy restoration project underway, take a look at some of the thinking behind restoring wooden boats.
Spin Zone: Seakeeper Sees Increasing Demand For Yacht Stabilization
Thanks to more sophisticated software and lower costs, gyroscopic stabilizers are to be found on more and more boats with each passing year, and Seakeeper can take much of the credit.
Technical Oasis: A Guided Tour Of Seattle's Ballard Neighborhood
Former Technical Editor Steve D'Antonio profiles one of the great marine industry hubs, and better kept secrets, in North America: Seattle's Ballard Neighborhood.
Troubleshooter: Shake Hands with Solenoids
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.
How To Quiet Your Boat On The Cheap
When you think of it, it makes perfect sense. An owner may become acclimated to a substandard cruising speed or an above-average fuel bill, but a boat that’s loud will drive everyone crazy.
Engine Room Clues For Spotting Trouble Before A Crisis
While it may seem that a particular mechanical failure happened “suddenly,” the truth is that it had probably been sneaking up for a while. Here is what to look for.
Fluid Analysis Saves Time and Money
My first encounter with fluid analysis was as a young sea cadet. One summer I was fortunate enough to spend a few weeks aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer.
The Ethos of Damage Control
Every cruiser, at one time or another, faces a damage control scenario, wherein a piece gear fails, sometimes benignly, sometimes catastrophically. The “gear” could be anything from a failed raw water hose to a breached hull. If it hasn’t happened to you yet, you’ve been fortunate, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare.
Don’t Scrimp When It Comes To The Crimp
Readers frequently ask, “What do I need to know about making good crimp connections?” Fortunately, not very much.
Marine Fuel Additives; An Ounce of Prevention
Do you use a fuel additive? If so, why, and how did you choose it? Are you sure you need it? If you haven’t considered these questions you could be damaging your fuel system or wasting your money. Or both.
GEARHEAD: Chronic underloading and over-cooling
It’s a concept that’s commonly misunderstood, and one that seems counterintuitive; the lighter the load on your engine the greater the likelihood of developing problems.