Electrical

Learn how to beat range anxiety and make the most of your electric outboard's capabilities. (Photo courtesy of ePropulsion)

Electric Outboard Charging Tips

Somewhere around the third carburetor rebuild for our 3.3 hp four stroke dinghy outboard, I decided enough is enough. Four stroke outboards are supposed...
The batteries pictured are Rolls S6 250 flooded cells, nominally 281 a/hr. They came with the boat and are of unknown age but currently seem to work OK. They are not the cell I would pick as they are a lightweight battery. The clue is that the spec sheet gives a CCA number. True deep cycle cells don't have that. The taller L16-EX is rated at three times the cycle life, about 3,750 cycles to 50% DoD compared to these at 2,000. You really do need to look at the full spec to know what you are getting! In Canada these are currently around $320 com-pared to the L16 at $590. The black battery is the starter battery which is a simple H/D car battery that starts the engine and supplies the windlass. (Photo/ Roland Stockham)

House Battery Bank Replacement: What to Consider

Replacing a battery bank on a cruising sailboat  requires a myriad of choices—driven by one overriding goal. What are you hoping to power with...

Simple Lithium for Outboard-Powered Tenders, Daysailers, and Sport Boats

Lithium is cool. Your cell phone uses it. Cameras, laptops, flashlights … everything. But “cool” is not a reason. Fire is not a big...

Ensuring a Safe Space for Batteries

When charging, lead acid batteries generate hydrogen from the electrolysis of water, and some acid gases, the amount of which vary with the battery...

How to Create a Bullet-Proof VHF/SSB Backup

In this short article I want to chat about ideas for making the radio bombproof in an emergency. I haven’t “invented” any of these...
shorepower connection

Ensuring Safe Shorepower

Power pedestals are handy and safe when they match the power requirements of the boat. Thirty amps for a 30-amp boat. Fifty amps for...
A lithium conversion requires a willing owner and a capable craft. Enter the Privilege 435 catamaran Confianza.

Can You Run a Marine Air-Conditioner on Battery Power?

Our 16,000 BTU MarinAire A/C is sufficient to maintain our Privilege 435 catamaran at under 26.5°C (80°F) on days up to around 35°C (95°F)....

Taking Care of Your 12-Volt Lead-Acid Battery Bank

Marine boat batteries can fail due to various reasons, and understanding these potential failure modes is crucial for ensuring their reliability. Here are some...

Check Your Shorepower System for Hidden Dangers

One of the often overlooked maintenance items in the pre-season rush to the water is the AC shorepower system. Over the years of surveying, Ive amassed a small collection of scary photos from past surveys showing the common examples of neglect to this critical system.

DIY survey of boat solar and wind turbine systems

Many used cruising sailboats on the market will have a couple of solar panels, a wind turbine, or possibly both. But are they working?...

Lagoon 55 – The Perfect Charter Boat for Your Caribbean Vacation

Looking for the ultimate sailing vacation in the Caribbean? Step aboard the Lagoon 55, a modern catamaran that combines luxury, comfort, and performance—making it...

Latest Sailboat Review

Irwin Citation 34 Used Boat Review

The Irwin 34 is in many respects a typical Irwin boat. It was originally called the "Citation 34," which was meant to indicate that it was more of a plush cruiser than the race-oriented Irwins at the time, but more of a racer than the larger cruisers. According to the company, 305 Irwin 34s were built in the production run, from 1978 to 1985, a moderate but successful model for the era. Near the end of its production, the boat was advertised as the Irwin 34 rather than the Citation 34. There were no major changes in the boat from beginning to end, just the details and equipment that are typical of any long production run.