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.
December 19, 2018
Ask Andrew – Bilge Maintenance
When a boat is in the water, the bilge will often collect water that enters the boat from weather, interior leaks, and via the stuffing box. Within the bilge the bilge pumps pump water from the bilge, overboard – preventing the bilges from overfilling. We hope.
December 5, 2018
Ask Andrew: Boat ventilation
I passed by a person doing some shrink-wrap work recently, and as he installed a vent in the shrink-wrap he was completing, he muttered satisfactorily to himself ‘Air flow isn’t just for sail boats.
November 21, 2018
Ask Andrew – boating year round: off-season projects
Recently I suggested doing an off-season (winter) project with a potential client, and my suggestions was met with surprise; surprise that she wouldn’t have to move her boat, and not have to worry about additional storage costs.
November 7, 2018
Ask Andrew – How to hire a boat repair contractor
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…
October 24, 2018
Ask Andrew – Preparing your boat for winter – Part two
Last time, I described the importance of covering your boat to protect it for the winter, and listed a few options and discussed their pros and cons.
October 12, 2018
Ask Andrew – Winterization
‘Winterization’ is a broad term used to prepare an engine for extended storage – specifically through the winter season (when temperatures drop below the freezing point).
October 10, 2018
Ask Andrew: Protecting your boat for the winter – Part One
As the cold approaches, shrink-wrapping is a hot topic, and I’ve heard more than a few debates at yacht clubs about the merits and disadvantages of winter covers, tarps and wraps. First, why cover your boat at all?
September 12, 2018
Ask Andrew: Water system autumn maintenance
Nothing stops a vacation faster than a problem with the fresh water system – be it leaks, smells, plugs or loss of pressure! Any of these can make living aboard for more than a day-trip strenuous, and in many cases can take the joy and comfort out of being aboard.