Whether you’re a seasoned motor yacht skipper or are looking to make the jump from diesel to wind power, you might be wondering what type, if any, engine you’ll need to compliment your sails when the force of mother nature isn’t up to the job. In short it is prudent to have an engine fitted to any sailing vessels over about 6 foot in length, largely as a safety measure to … [Read more...]
Top 3 Easy Install Boat Air Conditioning Methods
If you’re fortunate enough to own, or consider owning, a cruiser yacht then naturally you’ll want the experience of spending time aboard your vessel to be as comfortable as possible. After all, you might choose to live on your boat for weeks or months at a time, so creature comforts are a must if the experience is going to be enjoyable. Air conditioning is one of the most … [Read more...]
What Causes an Outboard Motor to Overheat?
Without a doubt outboard motors are the most ingenious means of propulsion for boats; they’re a fully self contained power plant, they come in a range of different sizes, and they’re convenient to maintain and transport. However in some ways their supreme utility can be a curse as much as it is a blessing. People are often prone to thrashing outboards around while forgetting … [Read more...]
Do I Need Bow/Stern Thrusters on My Boat?
In the good old days the only way to come alongside a pontoon successfully was to plan your approach carefully, and use a lot of careful steering and throttling back and forth. Only then could you be sure of a smooth and impact free arrival. Whilst this works just fine for vessels under 40’, and indeed any skipper worth his salt should be able to make such a manoeuvre more … [Read more...]
Do I Need to Antifoul my Boat?
What is Antifouling? Anyone who’s ever seen the sorry remains of a car or shopping trolly dredged out of a river or harbour will know it doesn’t take a lot for marine wildlife to quickly move in and make itself at home on man made objects. Exactly the same thing applies to your boat, especially if it lives on the water. Barnacles, algae, seaweed, it’s all a nuisance, and … [Read more...]