Engine Room

Volvo Introduces New Diesel-Electric Hybrid Propulsion for IPS Drives

By George Day on July 16, 2026 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Gear

Volvo Penta recently announced that this year they will be introducing a fully integrated hybrid-drive system for their D13 motors with IPS drives. This move continues the company’s strategy of creating propulsion packages that are helm to prop systems. According to Volvo, the hybrid- diesel-electric platform combines superior onboard comfort with simplified ownership, installation and design. Built on the company’s proven Volvo Penta IPS technology, the new system represents a major step forward for both boat builders and owners. Central to the system’s innovation is its fully integrated architecture. All components are connected through Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system, ensuring…

The Art and Science of Outboard Maintenance

By George Day on June 4, 2026 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Gear

Increasingly over the past few years, boat builders and the boat owners they serve have shown a burgeoning interest and preference for outboards over diesel inboards. The reasons are several. Outboards are quieter, can be as fuel efficient as an inboard and free up space inside the hull for storage. Modern outboards are sophisticated machines that have evolved significantly in the last two decades to the point that they are impressively reliable and, if well maintained, destined for a long life. The catch Is in that last point. Regular care and routine maintenance are the keys to an outboard’s long…

Practical Tips for Removing and Installing a Propeller

By George Day on April 9, 2026 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Maintenance

Gilbert Park was getting his boat ready for a 300-mile cruise and decided to give the back end a good survey. The rudders looked fine, but the starboard propeller had some pock-marks that indicated electrolysis. Park wasn’t sure if the prop needed to be replaced or repaired but he knew he needed to take it to the local propeller store to get a professional opinion. And, that meant he had to pull the prop off the shaft. Once the split pin and nuts were removed, Park tried a bit of old-fashioned brute force. Despite a big hammer and a block…

What You Need to Know About In-Line Fuel-Water Separators

By George Day on July 10, 2025 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Gear, Maintenance

This is a down-and-dirty topic but fuel-water separators in your boat’s fuel lines are without doubt your first and most important line of defense in the war against contaminated diesel fuel. This is particularly true of you are cruising away from your home fuel dock and taking on diesel of unknown purity. Water in your fuel can come from several sources. First, it may be in the fuel dock’s own tanks that may have a leak or may not be well insulated and thus can sweat condensation in humid conditions Or, your own on-board metal tanks can sweat moisture from…

Seakeeper Ride Stabilizers Now Available for Boats Up To 55 Feet

By George Day on May 22, 2025 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Gear

Seakeeper, the leaders in stabilizer systems for both displacement and planning boats, announced this week that the company now has Seakeepr Ride underway, trim-tab systems for boats from 19 to 55 feet. The new models being introduced are for boats from 38 to 55 feet and can be retrofitted to most planning hull designs. So, owners of express cruisers and larger center consoles will be able to add stabilization without having to install a gyro system. The Seakeeper Ride systems have a dramatic effect on a boat’s performance in a wide range of conditions. The trim tabs on the transom…

DYI Department: Engine Mounts Matter, Inspect Them Regularly

By George Day on May 16, 2025 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Maintenance

Tucked underneath your engine(s), the lowly engine mounts are out of sight and, mostly, out of mind. But, these four steel and rubber bits of hardware are crucial to the well-being and smooth-running of the whole drive train –engine, transmission, shaft, shaft seal, cutlass bearing and prop. So, a little care is due. As part of routine maintenance such as changing the engine’s oil, filters and zincs, it is important to shine a light on the engine mounts to see how well they are aging. Aging is the key word because engine mounts deteriorate over time and hours of use.…

Fire Prevention Can Save Lives on Your Boat

By George Day on April 10, 2025 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Maintenance

If you have ever seen a fiberglass boat catch fire and burn, particularly a gasoline-powered boat, you will appreciate just how devastating a fire afloat is. Fiberglass is highly flammable and fuel tanks are bombs just waiting to have their fuses lit. So, as we get into the spring and many of us get our boats ready for the summer boating and cruising seasons, cast your thoughts to what you need to do to prevent a fire from starting and then how to deal with the emergency should it occur. Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers are required on all motorize…

Volvo Hybrid IPS Drives Enhance Performance and Fuel Efficiency

By George Day on March 14, 2025 Cruising Life, Electronics, Engine Room

Volvo Penta has been working on electric propulsion and hybrid diesel-electric systems for a decades. The diesel-electric system coupkled to IPS drives is now available for commercial and recreational use and provides an elegant and proven technology that will allow boats to run silent and carbon free. The electric motor in the system fits between the main engine and the IPS pod and is engaged with a clutch. The motors run off a bank of lithium-ion batteries that can be sized for each boat’s specific tasks and requirements. “A hybrid provides a flexible solution, one that maintains the high efficiency…

Learn Diesel Maintenance and Repair Online at BoatHowTo.com

By George Day on November 21, 2024 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Palm Beach Boat Show

This week, the gurus at BoatHowTo.com announced that their new course called Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance was live on their website and ready for attendees. The 11-hour series of seminars is given by Nigel Calder and Dr. Jen Athenstadt, the founders of the instructional website and developers of the courses. The diesel maintenance course is the second in-depth course offered by the website. It follows the two courses on marine electrics, Boat Electrics 101 and Advanced Marine Electrics, which have been attended by more than two thousand boat owners and industry professionals. Nigel Calder will be well known in the…

Greenline Offers Responsible Power Packs, Eliminating the Need for Generators

By George Day on November 21, 2024 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Gear

The Slovenian builder of efficient motor yachts from 39 to 58 feet announced this week that is is offering a new option that will eliminate the need for generators on all of their diesel-powered boats. A genset has been an integral part of traditional diesel technology but Greenline now has a better solution. On all of their models with diesel engines, they now are adding the Responsible Power Pack that includes huge solar arrays and large lithium battery banks that replace the need for a separate generator. When the boat is at anchor, the panels charge the batteries with enough…

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