Boat Maintenance

This Hayn Hi-Mod shackle was securing a shroud. The shackle failed without damage to the threads when the rigging wire snapped and the pin unscrewed. Thankfully, there were no injuries and the deck-stepped mast fell to leeward with limited damage to the Corsair F-24. (Photo/ Jim Love)

Monel Seizing Wire is Worth the Extra Cost

Just weeks ago, a fellow Corsair 24 owner dismasted due to a seizing wire failure. More than once I’ve had stainless seizing wire fail...

Sinking? Check Your Stuffing Box

Sometimes as a sailor you are learning to run before you can walk or even crawl. If the auto bilge pump isn’t working, maybe...
The engine mounts on my Perkins M20 diesel needed to be changed. Luckily, they are accessible so I was able to change them myself with a few basic tools and new parts. If your engine is less accessible, you'll need to ask a professional to change the mounts. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

How to Change Your Engine Mounts

It is always discomforting when you know, and actually feel, that something is not quite right. For a little while now, while navigating under...
With a few inexpensive materials and a bit of patience, you can redo the vinyl lettering on your boat yourself. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Vinyl Boat Lettering DIY Application and Repair

One of the pleasures of boating, at least for me, is reading boat names! I enjoy the many humorous names and those that are...
Little things that are hardly necessary but nice to have start in the galley.

Those Extras you Don’t Need But Love to Have

As a full-time live-aboard, you learn to make some sacrifices. You ultimately become your own little island so you must learn to ration your...
This Perkins M20, 3 cyl, 18hp diesel engine is cleaned, inspected and antifreeze flushed after a winter on the hard. Due to proper prep for both winter and spring, it is now running smoothly. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Spring Season Engine Start-Up for Winterized Engines

Two things, as they say, are certain in life: death and taxes. Perhaps a third would be that fuel cost will inevitably keep rising....

Hidden Maintenance Problems: Part 3 – Gremlins in the Electrics

The final area for hidden maintenance problems that I want to cover is the boat’s electrical system. Most modern boats rely heavily on their...
Irwin Vise-Grip Wire Stripper. (Photo/ Adam Morris)

Best Crimpers and Strippers for Fixing Marine Electrical Connectors

If you own a cruising boat, you will have to learn to be an electrician (in addition to a painter, a detailer, a mechanic,...
When water seeps into a balsa wood core, it eventually rots and needs to be replaced. Photo courtesy of Epoxyworks.com

Seepage or Flooding? How To Keep Water Out of the Boat

Boats are made to live on water, but that does not mean they are impervious to the stuff. Some systems, like the  electrical system...

Painting a New Bootstripe Like a Pro

Have you been wanting to add a bootstripe to your boat but aren’t sure how to do it? Perhaps you have a bootstripe already...

Truth About Grease – Boat Maintenance Must Do Tips

Sailboat Maintenance is a big topic so we're breaking it down into bite sized boat maintenance tips in our Everything You Need to Know...

Latest Sailboat Review

Beneteau 393 Used Boat Review

Beneteau is one of the few builders (along with perhaps Catalina, Hunter and its own corporate cousin, Jeanneau) whose volume of production can generate...