Anode material steadily oxidizes to metal ions that move through the electrolyte. (USPS Education Department) Marine corrosion is a challenge for all boat owners. It has implications in both boat maintenance and boat safety. You can only cope with corrosion by diligence and proper maintenance. Certain kinds of corrosion can devalue your investment in a…
Winter boating season has arrived. It’s important to refresh ourselves on some of the precautions and procedures necessary for safe boating under winter conditions. The rule of thumb is if the air and water temperature added together equal less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit you should take special cold temperature precautions: Always connect your lanyard or…
No matter how it happens, if gasoline gets into the bilge, it’s simply a spark away from an explosion. The injury to passengers and crew during an explosion can be devastating, even without a fire. Aging systems aboard all boats need continuous preventive maintenance. Fuel fill lines, feed lines, and vent lines are constantly subjected…
What happens if you suddenly lose steering control while underway in your boat? The result is not good, and its severity depends on a couple of factors: What type of steering (cable and pulley, cable, hydraulic, electronic) What type of boat (outboard, stern drive, inboard) Inspecting the nut at the end of the steering cable…
Splash guards help after repowering with a heavier outboard. Splash guards are commercially engineered or homemade additions to boats with low freeboard. Installed above the transom, especially notched transoms, they give the boat a little extra insurance against swamping under certain conditions: Backtrolling while casting for or playing larger fish such as stripers Maneuvering during…
If you have multiple batteries that you charge with your boat engine, you surely have a battery selector switch. It may be useful to review a few installation, operational and maintenance factors connected with the use of these switches. Make sure the amperage rating is correct for your electrical system. Make sure you provide adequate…
From time to time, it is important to consider the possibility of a man overboard incident in your boat. How would you or your crew respond? With purpose or panic? If the skipper went overboard, would the crew be able to take over and maneuver the boat safely to the victim? Would they be able…
Is your cockpit truly self-draining? Some decks are well above the load waterline and appear to be self-bailing. Yet in truth the deck drains lead to hoses that drain into the bilge and not overboard. While this keeps you from having wet feet in the cockpit, this design is not actually self-bailing. Disaster awaits boats…
Billy Owens There is no better way to kick off summer than sponsoring a Blessing of the Fleet at Big Water Marina on Lake Hartwell! May 25 was a beautiful day with lots of people and lots of boats out on the water to participate in the event and observe National Safe Boating Week.…
Begin your Memorial Day weekend on Lake Hartwell the right way! Come out to Big Water Marina May 25th for the Blessing of the Fleet. Sponsored by Lake Hartwell Sail & Power Squadron and Big Water Marina and Campground, numerous other activities are planned for all ages: Pull your boat up to the VSC dock…