August 10, 2020
Ask Andrew: High temperatures – and not just because it’s August
July and August in Canada are the months of boating. People are on the water – exploring, cruising, fishing, voyaging and racing. Maintenance and repairs aren’t the priority – the fun is.
July 21, 2020
Ask Andrew: Making proper connections
I get a lot of calls for electrical repairs. Not upgrades or installations – the requests are to repair what’s already there. Sometimes its because something has stopped working, and the mess of wiring, repairs and additions over time; the mysterious nature of electrical problems prevent the boat owner from tackling this on their own.
July 7, 2020
Ask Andrew: Tune-ups
Many boats are now on the water after a COVID-imposed hiatus – and with a shortened ‘prep’ period, usually filled with antifouling, polishing, cleaning, engine check-overs and the installation of a new Christmas/boat-show electronic doo-dad.
June 30, 2020
Canadian Yachting – Modern Teak Decks
Wooden boat production in the 1940’s and 50’s was epitomized by expert craftsmanship, beautifully faired curves, bright varnish, and high-grade materials. Teak in particular is highly rot resistant, prized for its ability to produce its own oil, and recognized by its tight, straight grain.
June 10, 2020
Ask Andrew – Pump it up
Boats contain several pumps, each serving a unique purpose and positioned in a way that allows it to do its job effectively. Understanding the why and the how can be important in troubleshooting when an issue crops up.
May 26, 2020
Ask Andrew – Interlux webinar
There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world. Some of the changes are huge: social distancing, sanitizing and face-masks have become our new norm. Adapting to working from home, and meetings via platforms like Zoom are challenges we’ve accepted and conquered.
May 13, 2020
Ask Andrew: Late spring start-ups
These days, the internet is full of memes with the message of ‘we’re all in this together’. As a marine mechanic, I’ve been partial to the phrases that reference boating. My favourite so far has been ‘We’re not all is the same boat, but we are all in the same storm’.
April 21, 2020
Ask Andrew – Delayed Launch
2020 is a year of change – self-isolation, social distancing, quarantine, and working remotely have become the norm. For many, this has been a bitter pill to swallow. Another bitter pill for boaters is the delay of the season. Provincial laws differ – so terms like ‘essential’ aren’t translating widely across the marine world.
April 7, 2020
Ask Andrew: Part 3 of Fibreglass repair – Epoxy
In Parts 1 and 2 we discussed fiberglass and gelcoat. This time, we’ll explore the ways that epoxy can be used aboard.
March 25, 2020
Ask Andrew: Understanding Gelcoat
Building on our last two editions (Sealants, and Fibreglass, respectively), Gelcoat is the next logical progression – that is, the outer part of the hull and decks. Gelcoat serves two main purposes: To protect the fiberglass beneath it, and to give a cosmetic finish as the outer layer of construction.
March 10, 2020
Ask Andrew: Understanding Fibreglass
Last edition we talked about sealants to perform tasks like bedding and sealing. Other tasks like bonding, gluing, encapsulating and strengthening can be done using fiberglass, and the various resins available to saturate it.
February 26, 2020
Ask Andrew: Understanding Sealants
Over the winter, a many-thousand pound fiberglass, wood or metal shell is held in position by only a few plywood pads, or perhaps by two trailer bunks. In the spring, many of our boats are lifted by two slings into the water, putting enormous pressure on the sides of the hull, causing it to flex and shift.
February 11, 2020
Ask Andrew: Diesel Fuel Maintenance
Since the late 19th century, a debate has raged on the relative merits of diesel fuel over gasoline. In more recent decades, that argument has included boat manufacturers, and increasingly, individual boaters.
January 21, 2020
Ask Andrew: Head games: Troubleshooting marine toilets
A marine toilet is a relatively simple apparatus, straightforward to diagnose and repair. There are a handful of major manufacturers; most have replacement parts and maintenance items available for purchase via marine chandleries. Repair is generally a matter of understanding the system and getting your hands dirty.
January 8, 2020
Ask Andrew – Shrink wrap
In Nov 2019, I was fortunate enough to attend the Boating Ontario conference in Niagara Falls ON. This conference is geared to members and suppliers of the marine industry particularly marina operations.
December 18, 2019
Ask Andrew: Below the waterline off-season checks – Part 2
In this part, we’ll delve deeper into the other parts of the boat found below the water line: the underwater mechanical components, including: props, shafts, outdrives, and cathodic protection devices (anodes).
December 3, 2019
Ask Andrew: Below the waterline off-season checks – Part 1
The boat is out. It’s resting comfortably at the yacht club, marina, storage yard, or driveway. Winterizing is done. It’s protected with shrink-wrap, a tarp or a custom cover. Mechanically and physically, she’s been put to bed for the winter. So, now what?
December 3, 2019
CY Inbox: Love for Ask Andrew
Andrew, I am in St Andrews NB and run an 87 Niagara 35E that I bought in Oakville in 2016. Significantly modified by a previous owner and have to say that I enjoy your contributing articles to the CPS electronic publication. Wish you were in the neighbourhood, you would be hired!
November 19, 2019
Ask Andrew: Winterizing! What if you’ve missed the boat?
Sometimes life gets in the way of boating. A summer wedding, family get-together, or (heaven forbid) work forces you to cancel a weekend on the water.
November 4, 2019
Ask Andrew: Bilge rot – a cautionary tale
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve told my children to wash their hands. I remind them before dinner, after using the washroom, after touching dirty, sticky or grimy things.
October 22, 2019
Ask Andrew: Electrical Testing Onboard
Big or small, sail or power, gas or diesel, most of the boats that are encountered today have an electrical system onboard. Some are as simple as a pull cord turning over an outboard motor, others are a complex DC/AC panel aboard a cruising yacht.
October 8, 2019
Ask Andrew – Carbon Monoxide
As the seasons change and we move from warm summer into cooler fall, many fanatic boaters (especially those with cabin space) begin to use on-board heaters to extend the boating season.
September 24, 2019
Ask Andrew: Engine Fuels. Part 1 – Gas
Engines don’t need much to run (or to stay running). When you break down even the most complicated gasoline engine – even one with modern technology including an onboard computer, diagnostics and electronic ignition – it still only needs three things: Spark, Compression and Fuel.
September 10, 2019
Ask Andrew – Identifying and buying boat parts
I’ve learned that boat owners may not know what a mechanic needs to know in order to look up parts. I hope that this issue will put the tools in your hands to speak the same language with your mechanic, while also enabling you to research your needs and price-shop effectively.
August 21, 2019
Ask Andrew: Cruise time
Even the hardest working boat tech advisors deserve some time off but Andrew will be back at his keyboard for our September issue.. Questions about boat maintenance? Just send them along to the address below.
August 7, 2019
Ask Andrew: Safe Starts
On the Friday before a weekend with a gorgeous forecast, I heard on the news that a boat had exploded at a local marina; the boat’s operator was seriously injured. At the time, I heard that authorities were investigating and were attempting to determine the cause of the explosion and fire.
July 24, 2019
Ask Andrew: Anchoring – you asked!
A reader suggested we take a look at anchors. Anchoring seems simple enough. A weighted hook with a line attached is dropped into the water. When the hook hits the bottom, the line is tied to a cleat, and the proud sailor signals the helm that the vessel is secure.
July 10, 2019
Ask Andrew – What’s in a survey?
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.
June 22, 2019
Ask Andrew: Sealing the boat’s prop shaft
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.
June 11, 2019
Ask Andrew: Changing a water impeller
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.
May 22, 2019
Ask Andrew: Batteries and Battery switches
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.
May 8, 2019
Ask Andrew: Should I buy that boat? – from a mechanic’s viewpoint
This time of year, great deals abound. That boat with the ‘for sale’ sign looks quite attractive. The asking price is less than expected – the paint and varnish look great, with a bit of a polish and clean you can already feel the wind in your hair as you make way down the lake.
April 24, 2019
Ask Andrew: Canvaswork – covers, dodgers and biminis
Each spring, I tend to notice canvas. I wish it were because it’s been immaculately maintained and looks perfect when installed. I notice it because it’s a pain. Shrink wrap and tarps are removed, canvas is installed. Strataglass is fogged, rips and tears are evident, zippers are broken. In short, repairs are required
April 10, 2019
Ask Andrew – Fair or foul
A timely series of questions came in this week regarding the uses, functionality and the ways to purchase antifouling paint.
March 27, 2019
Ask Andrew – Lifting, launching and trailering
I’ve had two emails over the past few weeks with a count-down to launch (47 days per the last email), and instructions on how to prep for launch, including properly marking where slings should be placed.
March 13, 2019
Ask Andrew: Top Pick of Resources – Print and Online
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.
February 13, 2019
Ask Andrew: Electrical Installations – Part 3: Grounding and Bonding
Electrical ground is a term used to describe the reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltage is measured, a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the earth.
January 23, 2019
Ask Andrew: Electrical Installations – Part 2: fuses and breakers
Last time we looked at making proper electrical connections – the tools, supplies and methods needed to make connections between components and wiring.
January 8, 2019
Ask Andrew: Electrical Installations – Part 1: Electrical Connections – basics and how-to’s
Winter is a great time to look at some of the hidden spaces on your boat – to take stock of what is aboard, areas of improvement and ways to upgrade.