Maintenance

How To Fix Window Leaks: Great Tips from an Owner Who’s Been There

By Peter Janssen on April 26, 2017 Cruising Life, Maintenance

It’s one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve ever had: A leaking window on the port side of the salon on my Grand Banks 36. It took forever to get it fixed, and even then every time it rained I held my breath to see if the leak would start again. I know I’m not alone in this. Many owners of cruising boats face the same problem, and experience varying degrees of success in fixing it. Here’s some very good advice from Jim Healy, who, with his wife Peg, has cruised more than 40,000 miles on their 1988 Monk 36…

How To Clean a Sea Strainer: A Fast, Easy Video

By Peter Janssen on April 18, 2017 Cruising Life, Engine Room, Maintenance

Cleaning a sea strainer (or strainers, if you have two engines) isn’t brain surgery, but it is vital to the operation of your boat. A clogged strainer will ruin a cruise, or even a short outing away from the dock, in a real hurry. Make sure you know how to check and clean your strainer. It’s not hard, but here’s a good introduction if you’ve never done it before, or a fast refresher if you have. (And remember to close and then re-open the sea cock.) Take a look here: https://www.facebook.com/BoatUS/videos/vb.127893933900510/1136420499714510/?type=2&theater

Time To Get Ready: Spring Commissioning Checklist and Video from BoatU.S.

By Peter Janssen on March 20, 2017 Cruising Life, Maintenance

The good news is that boating season, for those of us in the north, is just around the corner. The bad news, unless you’re really organized, is trying to remember everything you need to do to get your boat ready. Here’s where BoatU.S. is a big help. Take a look at their video, below, and then read – and print out – their spring commissioning checklist below that. Let them do the organizing for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLbDpQZub7Y And here’s the checklist: http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/spring_checklist.asp

How To Set Up Your Instruments To Measure Fuel Flow

By Peter Janssen on December 8, 2016 Engine Room, Maintenance

Here’s one of the best videos or explanations of any kind that I’ve seen about how to set up your engine instruments to monitor fuel flow. This video is from a Ranger Tug 27 with a Volvo engine display and a Garmin chartplotter, but it gives you a good idea of what to look for no matter what kind of boat or engine you have. Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV9KFcPanVI

How To Change a Fuel Filter on a Diesel Engine, Video

By Peter Janssen on November 15, 2016 Engine Room, Maintenance

Do you remember the falling feeling in the pit of your stomach when the tach for your diesel engine suddenly shows the rpms falling, or surging and falling, or just acting erratically? Not a good time, on any boat. Problems with dirty fuel, water in fuel, whatever. You don’t want to be there. Protect yourself and your diesel by periodically changing the fuel filter, before there’s a problem. Here’s a good look at how to do just that: https://youtu.be/e2VCNPCKQrA

Fill Those Cracks and Gaps with Pettit’s New Epoxy Compound and Glue

By Peter Janssen on November 1, 2016 Gear, Maintenance

Who doesn’t need this? Pettit has just created two new products to help you take care of your boat, one called EZ-Tex epoxy repair compound, and the other EZ-Bond thickened epoxy glue. EZ-Tex is a two-part epoxy repair compound for when you want a permanent, high-strength waterproof repair. It bonds to most surfaces above and below the waterline, and won’t sag or shrink. Pettit says it’s great for filling cracks, gouges and voids. Once it’s cured, it can be sanded, drilled, tapped and painted. EZ-Bond is a two-part thickened epoxy glue for bonding wood, fiberglass, composites and metals, with a…

Time to Winterize Your Boat: Here’s How

By Peter Janssen on October 24, 2016 Gear, Maintenance

For most of us, it’s that time of year – unless you’re heading for Florida and the Bahamas or Southern California and Catalina. The last cruise is probably over, and you’re scheduling a haulout with your marina any day now. But even before your boat is out of the water, there’s a lot you can do yourself. Here’s one of the better lists I’ve seen about what you can do to make sure your boat makes it through the winter safe and sound and is ready to go next spring. Take a look: look.http://blog.boattrader.com/2016/10/winterizing-boat.html

How to Change an Impeller Video

By Peter Janssen on August 1, 2016 Maintenance

Here’s a fun DIY video from the factory tech at Ranger Tugs about changing an impeller on a Volvo D-3, 200-hp diesel engine on a new Ranger Tugs 27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpQOvkSFZYw

Why You Should Be Worried About Diesel Fuel

By Peter Janssen on July 22, 2016 Engine Room, Maintenance

New emission standards plus inconsistent diesel supplies plus changes in high pressure injection technology all spell potential problems. Here, Nigel Calder says why you should be concerned. http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/gear/reasons-to-be-paranoid-about-diesel-34807

Ten Tips for Green Boating

By Peter Janssen on July 14, 2016 Gear, Maintenance

We all want to keep the planet blue – and green. Here are some tips to keep it that way: http://www.riyachting.com/programs/ten-tips-for-clean-boating?utm_source=Multi-lead+List&utm_campaign=65849fc7e0-Wednesday_+July+14_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c884307d0f-65849fc7e0-336878677

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