Keep Aluminum and Brass Separated in the Marine Environment
August 18th 2012
Thread sealer alone won't keep these two metals apart, and they're far enough from each other on the galvanic scale for corrosion to occur if exposed to seawater.
Boat Maintenance
10 Ways to Make your Boat Shine Brighter
August 15th 2012
Gel coat, vinyl, aluminum, stainless steel, rubber, plastic, and more – make them look better, and your whole boat will seem to gleam.
Gel coat, vinyl, aluminum, stainless steel, rubber, plastic, and more – make them look better, and your whole boat will seem to gleam.
Aluminum Water Tanks: Safe to Use?
August 9th 2012
Potable water is best carried in stainless steel or FDA-approved, food-grade plastic tanks rather than in aluminum. Chlorine and aluminum are poor partners.
Potable water is best carried in stainless steel or FDA-approved, food-grade plastic tanks rather than in aluminum. Chlorine and aluminum are poor partners.
Broken Radar? Maybe Not.
August 2nd 2012
Here are two important issues to check before deciding that your radar needs a hardware fix.
Here are two important issues to check before deciding that your radar needs a hardware fix.
Marine Battery Charging: Double-Belt Pulley System
July 21st 2012
Will a double belt system work for your alternator and engine? According to Ed Sherman, "This a situation where a lot of mistakes get made."
Will a double belt system work for your alternator and engine? According to Ed Sherman, "This a situation where a lot of mistakes get made."
Boats.com How To Video Week
July 16th 2012
To celebrate our launch of four new how to videos, we've declared this "How To Week" here at Boats.com.
To celebrate our launch of four new how to videos, we've declared this "How To Week" here at Boats.com.
Electrical Current and Connections: Why the Heat?
July 1st 2012
A heavy electrical current flowing through a poor connection creates extra heat, and the potential for fire.
A heavy electrical current flowing through a poor connection creates extra heat, and the potential for fire.
Marine Wiring ID: A Good Way to Trace Functions
June 23rd 2012
With lots of wires and long runs, you can get frustrated trying to match ends. A fox-and-hound probe can be a big time-saver.
With lots of wires and long runs, you can get frustrated trying to match ends. A fox-and-hound probe can be a big time-saver.
Marine Electrical Safety: Boot Those Terminals
June 15th 2012
Even with a fuse between them, exposed terminals like this should have protective boots on them to prevent a short.
Even with a fuse between them, exposed terminals like this should have protective boots on them to prevent a short.
Electrical Terminal Stud Count: Four and No More
May 25th 2012
It's a bad idea to stack too many terminals on one stud. It concentrates heat, which can lead to melting. And fire.
It's a bad idea to stack too many terminals on one stud. It concentrates heat, which can lead to melting. And fire.
Video: How to Salvage (Pickle) an Outboard
May 20th 2012
We willingly send a perfectly good outboard engine swimming to show you how to get it running again.
We willingly send a perfectly good outboard engine swimming to show you how to get it running again.
Does My Battery Charger Need a Fuse?
May 19th 2012
The ABYC recommends fuses for the output leads on battery chargers, but sometimes those fuses can be hard to locate.
The ABYC recommends fuses for the output leads on battery chargers, but sometimes those fuses can be hard to locate.
Saving Your Overheated Marine Electronics
May 3rd 2012
Electronics confined in small, unventilated spaces can benefit from the addition of a simple low-draw fan.
Electronics confined in small, unventilated spaces can benefit from the addition of a simple low-draw fan.
Missing: Bow Thruster
April 12th 2012
Where did it go? A reader hauled his boat after storing in the water over the winter, only to find his bow thruster gone.
Where did it go? A reader hauled his boat after storing in the water over the winter, only to find his bow thruster gone.
