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…
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…
Our first paddling event of 2019 is in the books. This time, our focus was on the Midlands: Cedar Creek, which is in the Congaree National Park bordering the Congaree River south of Columbia. The national park was part of a bequest made by Francis Beidler, co-owner of the Santee River Cypress Lumber Company, which…
This is the first installment of a two part series on preventing sinking and swamping by water intrusion. The first covers topside water integrity, scuppers and repowering with heavier outboards. The second will cover safe drains and through-hulls, including inspection and maintenance. Owners blame sinkings on several factors: 1. The bilge pump failed 2. Rainwater…
Our Jump Start Program will give you one-on-one training for skill and safety. Are you planning on a new boat for the coming season? Too bad that expert operation and safety isn’t standard equipment. That’s the purpose of Lake Hartwell Sail & Power Squadron—helping you get the most out of your new boat, with safety…
If you own a boat, you’re going to face bilge pump problems sooner or later. Three years might be the average lifespan of a typical bilge pump before problems or obvious replacement needs arise. You can either spend the time off the water and money for the marina or dealer to fix it, or troubleshoot…