Recently, a friend described a problem he was having with his VHF radio and asked me if I could give him some help fixing it. Luckily, I didn’t have to lift a finger. I’ve seen this problem a dozen or more times through the years, especially on small open boats like trailered … Continue reading
Category Archives: Technical
What’s in a boat’s seat cushions?
Boat seat cushions may all look more or less the same in the showroom and at a boatshow, but how those seat cushions are made will have a lasting impact on your comfort, and the value of your boat. The comfort part is pretty obvious – how cushy that cushion is or is … Continue reading
How Good is your Livewell?
A good livewell is a must-have on a fishing boat, but just how good is yours, or the one on a boat you’re looking at? Check out these key features, to find out. CORNERS are a big no-no. Baitfish will swim into them and bang the walls of the well, injuring … Continue reading
Getting DSC on your VHF Radio
What’s the number-one reason why the Coast Guard can’t find boaters, even though they have DSC equipped VHF radios on board? Because the radio wasn’t properly interfaced with their chartplotter. In fact, according to the Coast Guard even though all VHFS sold in the US are required by law to … Continue reading
Aluminum Vs. Fiberglass: Which is right for you?
The aluminum versus fiberglass boat debate goes back decades, and still rages on today. Which one’s right for you? Let’s look at some pros and cons. ALUMINUM boats are lighter than fiberglass, so they go faster with equal amounts of power. That light weight also means they tend to have less … Continue reading
Preventing Corrosion and Removing Rust Streaks
Preventing corrosion is an important job on a boat, as is removing the rust streaks it can leave behind. Luckily, with a little preventative maintenance and some easy clean-ups, you can make corrosion a bad memory. The first rule in keeping corrosion at bay is, of course, to always give … Continue reading
Boat Propeller Basics: Pitch, Diameter, Cup, Rake, and Blades
Choosing the right boat propeller can be tough, since you have pitch, diameter, cup, rake, and blades to consider. Before you can choose the best prop for your rig, of course, you need to understand boat propeller basics. Here’s a run-down: PITCH is a theoretical measurement, describing how far the prop will … Continue reading
