When it comes to an engine failure, where is the line with respect to insurance coverage? If an engine suffers from more than a simple breakdown, and needs an expensive rebuild or replacement, who pays for this?
A marine insurer explains.
Monday Minute - Midsummer Maintenance
Monday Minute - It's Always Something
No matter how much you prepare, there is always something. A young Swedish couple I follow recently sailed from the Big Island in Hawaii to Honolulu. The sail wasn’t pleasant, and in the brisk conditions, they heard a loud bang against their aluminum hull. Turns out they lost their Rocna anchor overboard. The chain had been removed for the trip to keep seawater out of the chain locker, done a million times, but this time, their trusted stainless steel anchor restraint failed.
It’s Always Something.
Smoke Signals
When your diesel engine exhaust goes from clear to blue, white, or black smoke, this is usually an indication of several factors going on that might need your attention. Knowing what the colors mean can be helpful to determine if something is lurking in your engine room. Blue, black, and white exhaust smoke all mean something. Do you know what they are?
Inspecting Fuel Tanks
Monday Minute - Spring Boat Projects
We look forward to spring boat projects in my house. Getting the boat ready for the season, fixing what no longer works, and getting familiar with the boat again. But it is already June, postponed after many long weeks of spring rain and other distractions.
It is finally coming together, however, and soon we will be back on the water.
Righty Tighty
Monday Minute - Do You Have These Handy Tools in Your Bag?
Secrets to Maintaining Brightwork
Times are Changing - Developing Young Craftsmen
Check Your Inflatable PFDs
Monday Minute - Treat Yourself to A Voluntary Survey
Monday Minute - Maintaining Dock Lines
A Tech Tool You Need - Digital Laser Thermometer
Along with wrenches and other tools, a non-contact thermometer is a valuable instrument to help you keep tabs on your ship's systems. Once you establish the normal temperature of your engines, pumps, and other machinery, an occasional recheck of this equipment will indicate if you are developing a potential problem.
Preparing to Leave Your Boat
Taking Care of your Mechanical Steering
Taking Care of Your Hydraulic Steering
Surveying An Engine Room
The value of an engine survey can't be overstressed when looking for your ideal cruising boat. A separate effort from a general boat survey, an experienced mechanic's skill at judging the overall health of a boat's engine(s) and generator gives you the ability to decide if the boat is right for you, or if you should keep looking. More so than any other element of a cruising motorboat or trawler, the engine room is the most important space on the boat.
It’s been a long time coming but we now see tangible progress emerging to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. If the U.S. Navy can prove that it works, isn’t it about time the concept of the modern cruising boat includes hybrid forms of propulsion?