Systems & Propulsion

One crimp or two? In our test and survey, we again find that the well-made multi-purpose tool will suffice for most wiring jobs. If you have more serious work to do, try Klein's #1005 crimper and Ancor's 702030 automatic stripper.

I have heard it suggested that we use soy oil for diesel engines. I have a 3-cylinder Universal diesel and was wondering if you...

The Johnson Aqua Jet Uno 3.4 is impressive in a combination of ways. But it's a whopper. Check the Flojet Quad II—good price and performance.

PS readers offer up a smrgasbord of ideas about food that isn't picky about temperature.

Igloo cools fastest, Koolatron draws the least current, but for all-around marine use we'd go with the Adler/Barbour Tropicool.

PS readers weigh in here with opinions on their solar panels. With types and configurations available for all situations, it's hard to imagine any instance when having a panel or two aboard would be a bad idea.

Today's small four-stroke engine is still heavier than its two-stroke cousin, but at least prices have come down across the board. Consider this field if you need dinghy power or main propulsion.

In our experiments last summer, the Hamilton Ferris generator did very well with a spinner in the water, less well with its optional wind blade.

What is the crud that, if left to have its way, can foul your filters, starve the fuel pump, and bring your diesel engine...

The expensive Baja filter, oft-mentioned in these pages, did very well in these tests—but West Marine's new Teflon-based filter did better for less, by means of a simple water-separating scheme.