Posted: May 1, 2012 | Tags: Repair
I have a freshwater-cooled Crusader 350 that I am replacing the heads on. Do I need to use marine head gaskets?
Posted: May 1, 2012
We cook on board and like some savory meals. Can you give any suggestions to create great meals on board? We are both good cooks, but getting and keeping great ingredients is a problem, not knowing or not being able to find great meats and herbs. Veggies seem to be available.
Posted: May 1, 2012
I installed a digital thermostat at home. Can I put one on my boat’s diesel furnace? It really makes things easier at home, and I would like to enjoy those conveniences on my boat. Also, my furnace has seemed to need servicing too often. Could this make it worse?
Posted: May 1, 2012
I’m somewhat of a novice who for some time now has been looking at used trawlers. As I plan to live aboard a good part of the time, it seems to me that an aft-cabin design would be practical. However, I noticed that very few, if any, of this design have been made in the last 20 years. Is there something I don’t know that caused them to become unpopular?
Posted: April 1, 2012
I want to get Nobeltec or another PC-based software. Is it worth investing in a stand-alone PC, or can I save money and just use my laptop?
Posted: April 1, 2012
I was making a list of items to fix on my boat, when I sat on my pen and made a nasty ink stain on the vinyl helm chair cushion. I’ve tried soap and water, vinyl cleaner and even mold remover, but nothing’s working. Is there anything that will lift that stain, without ruining the vinyl’s finish?
Posted: April 1, 2012
I have a 1999 350 Mercury I/O. I also have twin 2008 MerCruisers in a second boat. I seem to recall reading in my Mercury manual something about not using synthetic oil. I know Mercury would prefer you to use its product. What’s your opinion on using the synthetic?
Posted: April 1, 2012
During a rendezvous of seven identical boats, our engine computer told us we were making just more than 4 mpg, yet when we filled our tanks, our calculations showed we were making just more than 5 mpg. What’s up with that?
Posted: April 1, 2012
My carpet needs to be replaced. Can I do it myself, and what is involved?
Posted: March 1, 2012
I have a 34-foot Stamas powered by twin Suzuki 250s. I noticed the performance getting really sluggish, so I had the engines checked out. They, according to the tech, were fine, although the top rpm had dropped about 400 each. He suggested the problem might be with the boat, as everything had been fine only a month ago. I had the boat hauled and the bottom checked. It was perfectly clean. However, what we found was that the transom bracket was full of water, due to a loose access plate. I have no idea why the plate became loose and don’t want to risk problems on my frequent trips up and down the coast. I see no reason the plate can’t be permanently sealed with 3M’s 5200, so water stops coming in and so I can sleep at night, can you?
Posted: March 1, 2012
My engine seemed slow to turn over last weekend, and when I checked the battery connections they were covered with green crud. What’s the best thing to use to clean them off?
Posted: March 1, 2012
I’ve been hearing about the new “CHIRP” sonar, and I’m interested in upgrading to one, but I’ve been told the through-hull transducers they use are huge — almost 2 feet long and about 50 pounds. I’m worried that something this big on my boat’s bottom could be enough to affect handling. Have you heard of any issues like this?
Posted: March 1, 2012
I love boating but have a fear of docking (and sometimes leaving the dock). How can I get over this? Dudley W., Ballard, Wash.
Posted: February 1, 2012
I’ve been hearing about the new “CHIRP” sonar, and I’m interested in upgrading to one, but I’ve been told the through-hull transducers they use are huge — almost 2 feet long and about 50 pounds. I’m worried that something this big on my boat’s bottom could be enough to affect handling. Have you heard of any issues like this?
Posted: February 1, 2012
I have a Honda 40 hp four-stroke engine on my dinghy. When I change the gearcase oil (using Lucas 90 weight), it goes in a dark honey color, but when I drain it at the end of the season, the oil comes out green — and the more hours, the greener it gets. I had the oil analyzed, and the report found no salt in the oil but traces of water and particulates. Is it at all normal for the oil to change color?