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.
August 8, 2018
Ask Andrew: Mid-summer Q&A – Part 2: Leaks – Keeping water on the outside
After the stress and rush of spring prep, taking time to get your gear comfortably on board and sorted, taking the boat out for a shakedown cruise to sort out the ‘big’ problems, you may have felt that your boat is set for the season.
July 11, 2018
Ask Andrew – Midsummer Q&A
CYOB readers often ask questions about their boats and system. For this issue, I’ve answered a common question about engine control cables.
June 13, 2018
Ask Andrew: Dealing with overheating – keeping cool on the water
Modern marine engines run at very high temperatures and rely on a few methods to keep their temperatures within an acceptable range (somewhere between 120 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit).
May 9, 2018
Ask Andrew: How to Keep your Brightwork Bright
In the early spring, just after launch, with the hustle and bustle of engine checks, antifouling, polishing and marking sling-locations behind us, boaters soon turn to the aesthetic…
April 11, 2018
Ask Andrew – Oil and Oil Changes
All engines, including marine engines (inboards, outboards and stern drives) have many moving parts that need to be lubricated by oil in order to allow metal parts to move with as little friction as possible.
March 7, 2018
Ask Andrew: Getting to the bottom of antifouling
I once heard an argument at a yacht club. Two old salts, patiently itching to let go lines and raise sail were preparing their boats for launch.
February 7, 2018
Ask Andrew: What tools and supplies should I keep onboard?
In this time of boat show afterglow, many boaters are counting the days until launch.
January 10, 2018
Ask Andrew: How to choose a contractor for your next project
With marina and yacht club parking lots full of boats, tarps laid, water tanks drained, and only a few brave souls to be seen – now is the time to take stock of the successes and shortcomings of the past boating season.
December 12, 2017
Ask Andrew: Battery Maintenance – How do I maintain my conventional batteries?
whether you choose power or sail (or both) batteries are an important part of your boat’s electrical system.
November 8, 2017
Ask Andrew: Bilge Pumps – keeping water on the outside of the boat
Water has a funny way of making its way into a boat: through through-hulls, stuffing boxes, leaks, hatches, windows and portholes
October 11, 2017
Ask Andrew: SmartPlug looks like a smart solution
If you walk the aisles at a boat show, visit a marine store, or stop in at a repair shop, you’ll likely be inundated with digital displays, vivid touch-screens, NMEA compatible devices, and Bluetooth connectivity.
September 12, 2017
Ask Andrew: I Hit Something! Now what? – Part 2
The moment we all dread. It’s a warm sunny day and you’re out for a cruise. Suddenly the boat shudders beneath you, pings, dings and clangs are heard and you realize that you’ve hit something submerged.
August 9, 2017
Ask Andrew: I Hit Something! Now what?
The moment we all dread. It’s a warm sunny day and you’re out for a cruise. Suddenly the boat shudders beneath you, pings, dings and clangs are heard and you realize that you’ve hit something submerged.
July 11, 2017
Ask Andrew: It used to work – but now it doesn’t! Common remedies to common problems mid-season
For most of us – this is the time to make the most of the boating season – launch and set up are done. Systems have been recommissioned. Let the fun begin!
June 7, 2017
Ask Andrew: Checking your engine out for the summer ahead
For Powerboaters, the engine is the heartbeat of the boat – no engine, no movement. With some simple preventative maintenance tips, time on the water can be maximized, while avoiding some potentially costly repairs.
May 10, 2017
Ask Andrew: Canadian Tire or marine store – which do I choose?
Question: Can I buy generic automotive parts or products for my boat, or should they specify ‘marine’?