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Recently, I’ve been asked about my most used reference books and websites – so I thought I’d share my favourites. By no means is this a comprehensive list – and each of these books and website aren’t the authority or final word on the subject.
I’ve found, in speaking with boaters the last few years, that a vessel survey is a misunderstood topic. Most of us hear “I need to get a survey” from fellow boaters, at the request of their insurance company. Many boaters wishing to buy or sell a boat will also request a survey.
In any boat with an inboard engine, the machinery that the drives the boat moves through the hull. An engine drives a propeller shaft, at the end of which is the propeller that moves the vessel through the water. This is as true of a bow-rider or a large sailboat, only the arrangement is different.
If you’ve spent any time in a boat yard during spring commissioning season, you won’t find it out of place to hear the roar of the engine, a cloud of blue smoke erupt, and a mechanic craning over the stern to look at the exhaust.
For many years now, we have used gasoline in our cars and trucks that contains some amount of ethanol, a form of alcohol, and just as a few drops of water combine almost instantly in your Scotch, moisture from the atmosphere can combine with the ethanol in the gasoline that is in your boat’s fuel tank.
As a busy marine mechanic, I tend to have the same or similar conversations often, and they’re quite seasonal. After engine check-overs and start-ups, conversations often are about batteries and battery switches.
Each spring, I tend to notice canvas. I wish it was because it’s been immaculately maintained and looks perfect when installed. I notice it because it’s a pain. Shrink wrap is removed, canvas is installed. Strataglass is fogged, rips and tears are evident, zippers are broken. In short, repairs are required.
A timely series of questions came in this week regarding the uses, functionality and the ways to purchase antifouling paint.
This one-day Marine Diesel Engine course is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of how your Marine Diesel engine operates and how it should be maintained.
A recent conversation with a fellow contractor got me thinking: With all of the information out there, including: Websites showing repairs, YouTube tutorials, Instagram pages and snapchat streams...
Read more: Ask Andrew – How to hire a boat repair contractor
Lifestyle
From the Helm of Adamant 1: Blog 30 – Hudson River and the Erie Canal
On a sunny and windless day we led Alicia and another sailboat into New York Harbour. There were lots of cargo ships and navy destroyers coming in, but they had their own deep-water channel so our trip was an easy one. Once inside the harbour it was unusually quiet. Even the Staten Island ferries were absent. We were able to get up close to the Statue of Liberty and we took some great pictures. Alicia was headed up the East River on the first leg of their trip back to Sweden, so we said goodbye to them and we headed into the Hudson River. There the traffic got crazy. We found the ferries, taxi boats, tow barges, pleasure craft of every description and for good measure a fleet of very small sailboats from a local sailing school.
Read more about The Adamant 1........................
Boat Reviews
An Elegant Motor Yacht at the Cutting Edge of Design
The launch of the new Monte Carlo 52 will be one of the highlights of the Cannes Yachting Festival 2019. This 50-foot high-end motor yacht is eagerly awaited and will introduce the Monte Carlo “Smart Luxury” generation. The stylish flybridge powerboat has inherited all the superb signature features of a successful range: modern design, elegant lines, distinctive character, incredibly well-used spaces and a careful focus on details, not to mention the iconic large porthole, distinguishing the 15 m (50’) to 18 m (60’) class of yachts made in Vendée. The Monte Carlo 52 has greatly improved all these features.
Read more about the Monte Carlo 52..............
Jeanneau Media Event in Florida – New Models
Our Canadian Yachting test team, John Armstong and Andy Adams, were at a Jeanneau media event called “Throttle Down” in St. Petersburg, Florida. The media event was held to highlight the Jeanneau Power Boat Line with the emphasis on their outboard models.
The media event was scheduled to follow their Jeanneau dealer meetings, held earlier at Thunder Marine International in St. Petersburg. The Thunder Marine location is on the water and has a cooperative agreement with Jeanneau to host the full line of Jeanneau power boats in the water for dealer demonstration to their clients.
Read More about the Jeanneau Media Event...........
Destinations
Chicago: A Water Wonderland
By Mark Stevens
Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens
From my perspective on the observation deck of 360 Chicago in the John Hancock Building, I have an eagle’s-eye view of this Lake Michigan metropolis.
The city stretched out before us is a forest of concrete. Toward the lake – right below us – there’s a beach volleyball game in progress. White triangles crisscross Caribbean-blue waters in the distance. Sunday morning must be race day – just like home.
Read more about Chicago....................
Marine Products
Big Bumper provides protection
Protecting your boat from scratches and dents isn’t always easy. That’s why the Big Bumper Company worked for almost two years to develop a simple and inflatable bumper system. Lengths include 2, 4, 6, and 12 footers! And comes in 18 & 24 inch diameters!
These new bumpers offer a solution for these challenges:
. works as a permanent bumper on boat docks (easy to attach / remove)
. a remedy for boat to boat tie-ups – with easy storage onboard
Read more about the Big Bumper........
