General category for public-facing posts on safety or seamanship hooks.
Sterndrives, also called inboard/outboards or outdrives, have been around for some 60 years and have attained a high degree of engineering refinement. Part of their attraction is their inexpensive power sources, namely four-stroke automotive engine blocks. They can provide outstanding performance and service life in fresh or salt water—if they are properly maintained. Critical maintenance…
This month, we’re taking a second look at our post and Poinsett Pilot article (August 2020) on the Recreational Boating Statistics 2019, the 61st annual safety report published in June by the Coast Guard. Where the primary cause of fatalities was known, alcohol use was listed as the leading factor in 23% of deaths. BoatU.S.…
Accident And Injury Rate Up Slightly In June, the Coast Guard published Recreational Boating Statistics 2019, the 61st annual report, with statistics on recreational boating accidents and state vessel registration. This publication is a result of the coordinated effort of the Coast Guard and those states and territories that have Federally-approved boat numbering and casualty…
With a multimeter and a reference electrode, you can measure the potential difference between the boat’s underwater conductive surfaces and the boat’s ground (negative battery terminals). You can check the conductivity of every branch circuit and also the effectiveness of your bonding system. Conduct these tests after the boat has been in its slip for…
Getting ready to disconnect the ground wire from the house battery to test for stray current on board overall, in the branch circuits and in the bilge pump system using a multimeter. Previously, we looked at the two principal forms of destructive corrosion aboard boats: galvanic corrosion and stray current corrosion. With this background, you…
Stray current corrosion is similar to galvanic corrosion, except that a current source is added to the circuit. Source: USPS. Electrolytic or stray current corrosion is related to galvanic corrosion, discussed last month. It functions similarly, but with the addition of an external electrical source to the corrosion equation, which significantly accelerates the reaction. It…
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…