Blog — FollowingSeas

Marine Systems

The Right Helm for You

The Right Helm for You

Setting up your helm requires some thought as to how best to utilize what is often limited space. Whether you are refitting an older boat or buying a new one, make sure the instrumentation works for you, and critical instruments are where you can see and operate them with a casual glance.

Monday Minute - Consider Night Vision

Monday Minute - Consider Night Vision

Carrying night vision on your boat offers great utility, and is great fun. It makes night travel a lot safer, providing you with the tools to see in the dark. Highly recommended equipment, more affordable than ever before.

How to Avoid Windlass Woes

How to Avoid Windlass Woes

Often ignored until there is a problem, maintaining your boat’s anchor windlass system is the key to keeping your anchoring abilities safe and carefree, as it should be.

A New Take on Single vs Twin Engines

A New Take on Single vs Twin Engines

The question of single engine versus twin engines has been beaten to death many times over, in my opinion. It really doesn’t matter which you choose, as a single engine with a bow thruster can perform as well as a boat with twin engines. But given how the marketplace has evolved, many buyers are looking at older trawlers, and the age factor somewhat changes the discussion.

Monday Minute - You Can Fix A Chart Error

Monday Minute - You Can Fix A Chart Error

NOAA's Coast Survey group has a website for all cruisers to report errors in nautical charts. It is a chance to assist in making our charts more accurate.

The All-Important Spring Sea Trial

The All-Important Spring Sea Trial

The best way to have a trouble-free cruising season is to perform a thorough sea trial after you launch the boat. And be sure to run the boat at full throttle, which will surface equipment and components that are ready to break, clog, or disintegrate. 

Monday Minute - My Chain Hook

Monday Minute - My Chain Hook

Here is my version of a traditional chain hook with locking gate, custom made of 3/8-inch stainless steel plate. It is super strong and will never separate from the anchor chain, so I can sleep soundly, knowing the snubber/bridle will do its job even if we are in shallow water.

Monday Minute - Treat Yourself to A Voluntary Survey

Monday Minute - Treat Yourself to A Voluntary Survey

Consider a marine survey of your boat, especially if you have owned it for years. It is a good way to identify issues before your cruising season begins.

The Engines Go Into the Spencer 74

The Engines Go Into the Spencer 74

Installing these MTU engines is not your everyday boat yard scene, so everyone came to watch it happen. Rent a crane, hire some professionals to oversee the operation, and we're done by lunchtime. Of course, hooking it all together takes weeks.

Monday Minute - Mustang Gets Her Engine Fixed

Monday Minute - Mustang Gets Her Engine Fixed

I came along on a sea trial aboard Mustang, whose Cummins diesel got some new parts. Nice to be aboard her again, one of the most impressive sailboats I have been aboard.

Monday Minute - Sharing Brian's Eight Year Report

Monday Minute - Sharing Brian's Eight Year Report

Brian Calvert is still enjoying life in the Philippines aboard his Selene trawler, Further. His adventures continue, but after so many miles and eight years of wandering adventure, it's time to take care of business on the boat and its systems. His experience is worth reading as you plan your own passage to paradise.

Monday Minute - A Fuel Filter Vacuum Gauge at Your Helm

Monday Minute - A Fuel Filter Vacuum Gauge at Your Helm

Adding a second, remote fuel filter vacuum gauge at your helm is another tool worth considering as you plan for extended cruising. It takes some of the guesswork out of running your boat, and you will feel more confident that things are well in your engine room.

Get With the Program and Conduct a Proper Radio Check

Get With the Program and Conduct a Proper Radio Check

Do you know about Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check service? It should be part of your normal operations routine, and used often to ensure your radios and antennas are working as well as you hope they are.
Far better than the traditional radio check of throwing out a call and hoping someone will respond. And let's leave "10-4, Good Buddy" ashore, please.

Monday Minute - Thoughts on Sizing Engines and Generators

Monday Minute - Thoughts on Sizing Engines and Generators

Conversation with industry specialists often drifts into other related topics. In this case, we talked about how best to size a propulsion engine for a new boat, and then selecting the right size generator for the boat's electrical demands.

Notes in the Pilothouse

Notes in the Pilothouse

Advice and suggestions from an extremely knowledgeable boat owner and industry expert whose expertise with marine electronics sets a standard well beyond the typical DIY technician.

Fuel Filtration Viewed From Within The Industry

Fuel Filtration Viewed From Within The Industry

Reviewing some notes from my travels, and finding the comments are as relevant today as they were a few years ago. It is refreshing when engine guys speak the truth even if it goes slightly against the company party line.

Rethinking Jacklines, Tethers, and Safety at Sea

Rethinking Jacklines, Tethers, and Safety at Sea

A recent Southern Ocean tragedy involving offshore safety equipment forces a renewed look at modern life-saving gear and how to make it even better...and safer. 

Monday Minute - Why a Single is Best Offshore

Monday Minute - Why a Single is Best Offshore

A letter from an experienced trawler owner with more sea time than most of us will ever see. His comments go beyond the typical boating magazine cocktail discussion of single versus twin engines.

He is the real deal. 

Monday Minute - Extending Anchor Chain

Monday Minute - Extending Anchor Chain

If you need to connect two lengths of anchor chain, there are numerous ways to do so. Here is one product I found that seems to be the best of available choices.