February 22, 2022
Ask Andrew: Radar Reflectors – When and how to use them
I first learned about radar reflectors when I read the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (a part of the Canada Shipping Act) some 20 years ago.
February 8, 2022
Boat ownership: Let’s talk insurance
With the boating season getting ever closer, it’s important that you understand the language of your insurance policy. When shopping for marine insurance this season here are a few insurance terms you may want to become familiar with to ensure that you are not purchasing and insurance policy that will fall short when a claim occurs.
January 24, 2022
GFCI and ELCI protection
I’m often asked to take a look at a survey to complete repairs at the request of a boat owner’s insurance company. Over the years, I’ve noticed that there are some items that are considered much lower ‘risk’, than others when identified on a survey.
January 11, 2022
Ask Andrew: Connections at the battery
Rarely have I seen a boat that is bought brand new and continues to look like it rolled off the factory floor a year or two later. Upgrades and changes are inevitable. A new GPS is installed. A cooler is replaced. Lights are swapped out. The list goes on.
December 21, 2021
Ask Andrew: What is the right battery type?
Most of us are familiar with the tried-and-true 12V lead-acid batteries that have been found in marine and auto applications for decades. There have been advances over time in the current output, the amp-hours and sizes available; no one can doubt that they do the job well.
November 24, 2021
Keven Talks Sails: Crosscut VS Triradial Sail Cutting
Over the last decade, sailcloth weaving equipment has evolved and allowed the production of low crimp warp oriented woven cloth of medium to heavy weights. We have had light weight warp wovens of 200g/m2 (4oz) or lighter for much longer than that, but the finer denier weaves of light sailcloth allowed that with older looms and setups.
November 23, 2021
Ask Andrew: Cleaning the Bilge – ugh
Years ago it was a punishment. In the Royal Navy, and on merchant ships of the 19th century, the gun crews who were the quickest would receive an extra tot of rum. The crew who were slow or sloppy were tasked with cleaning out the ship’s bilge.
November 10, 2021
Ask Andrew: Acrylic and Ceramic Gelcoat Restorers – Miracle Cure or Stumpwater?
Fibreglass boats take a lot of maintenance. Their appeal, half a century ago was their ‘maintenance free’ nature when compared with wooden boats. Add in the ability to mass-produce, and the low coast of manufacturing made fiberglass and easy choice.
October 12, 2021
Choosing the right PFD
Finding the right PFD can seem like a daunting task and extends beyond finding one that fits and floats. After all, not all vests work for all people, and no one vest works well for all activities.
October 12, 2021
Bareboat chartering for first timers (Part 3)
If chartering is something you’ve been dreaming about, this series is really for you. BUT be forewarned…it can be addictive!
October 12, 2021
Ask Andrew: Mast up or Mast Down
So many decisions to make when planning for haul-out. When/how to winterize? What type of antifreeze to use? Shrink-wrap or cover?
September 22, 2021
Ask Andrew: Corrosion – How to be a good neighbor: catch strays
Before I knew about corrosion, or marine electrical (or boats in general), I would see ‘no swimming’ signs at marinas and assume that the area was off limits due to boat traffic. Now that I know a bit more; the greater risk has to do with corrosion, grounding, and stray current issues.
September 7, 2021
Ask Andrew: Corrosion – Part 2
It’s a scary thought – whether your boat is made of wood, fiberglass, aluminum or composite – it’s slowly deteriorating under you. Part of this is the nature of the marine environment: sun, moisture, waves, wind, movement and vibration all contribute to components breaking down.
September 3, 2021
Bareboat chartering for first timers (Part 2)
If chartering is something you’ve been dreaming about, this three-part article is really for you and I hope will encourage you to give it a try… BUT be forewarned…it can be addictive!
August 24, 2021
Ask Andrew: Corrosion – Part 1
It’s a scary thought – but whether your boat is made of wood, fiberglass, aluminum or composite – it’s slowly deteriorating under you. Part of this is the nature of the marine environment: Sun, moisture, waves, wind, movement and vibration all contribute to components breaking down.
August 11, 2021
Bareboat Chartering for First Timers (Part 1)
If chartering is something you’ve been dreaming about, this 3-part article is really for you and I hope will encourage you to give it a try… BUT be forewarned…it can be addictive!
August 10, 2021
Ask Andrew: Hoses – Part 2
There are so many applications for hoses aboard, and each requires a specific type. There hoses for: fuel, exhaust, scuppers, engine water intake, potable water (hot and cold), waste, water heaters, bilge water, gear lube, and blowers.
July 20, 2021
Ask Andrew: A Hose is not just a hose – Part 1
I have more than once heard it said (from a cost-conscious boater), that products that have the word ‘marine’ printed on the label, is excuse for doubling the price for the same item purchased for non-marine use.
July 20, 2021
Why Use a Boat Broker?
Last summer there was tremendous interest in buying a boat to have fun in the restricted world ofCOVID19. People hauled boats to the end of their driveways with “For Sale” signs. Sailboats and cabin cruisers appeared in Kijiji and Craigs List and it sounds like most were sold to new boaters. But, are they happy owners now?
July 7, 2021
Len’s Cove Lessons in Boating
The boat buying or selling market is hot now and has been since the late spring of 2020. Sean Horsfall, General Manager, 3rd. Generation Owner at Len’s Cove Marina in Portland Ontario on the Big Rideau Lake on the Rideau Canal system, wants to help you navigate the 2021 ahead and the new and used boat buying process.
July 7, 2021
Ask Andrew: water connections and new solutions
As boats increase in size, complexity and arrangements, the systems requiring water onboard also increase. Modern boats have pumps, pressure systems, ballast systems, showers, air conditioners, water-cooled refrigeration, washdown pumps, faucets, heaters, and all of through-hulls, tanks, lines and connections necessary to support them.
June 22, 2021
Top 10 Tips for Responsible Boating in BC
British Columbia’s four-phase restart plan has entered Phase Two and residents of British Columbia are now invited to #exploreBC this summer. All going well, BC will encourage the rest of the country on July 1st and perhaps even see a border re-open in the coming months.
June 8, 2021
Ask Andrew: Engine/gasoline fires and other scares
Boats aren’t inherently combustible. They aren’t firetraps, and they aren’t any more or less dangerous with respect to fire breaking out than an RV, trailer, car or airplane.
May 25, 2021
Safety: Make yourself easier to rescue
“Do I know how to be found in an emergency?” That’s a question every boater should ask at the beginning of the boating season. The answer, however, is likely to go far beyond simply having a cellphone aboard. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers five tips that can potentially speed a rescuer’s response to a boater in need of emergency help.
May 11, 2021
Ask Andrew: Replacing and Installing Transducers
A Transducer is a device that is installed below the waterline that provides underwater data to a display at the helm. This data is usually in the form of depth and speed – but in more advanced systems can also provide sonar, fish-finding and side or forward views.
April 29, 2021
Add A Shade – Cool comfort with convenience
For most of us, the thrill of being aboard is associated with the motion of the water, wind in our hair, the laughter of friends, the speed and fresh air.
April 21, 2021
The Importance of a Sea Trial
I am frequently asked if I think it’s important that a marine surveyor attend a Sea Trial when one of our clients is buying a used boat. In very simple terms, not including your marine surveyor on a Sea Trial is a failure to complete the full marine survey.
April 21, 2021
Ask Andrew: Steering system maintenance
An important, but often overlooked maintenance item on any type of boat is it’s steering system. Most are relatively safe and secure, and are generally bulletproof – requiring very little maintenance to operate well. That said, it’s important to perform at minimum an annual inspection before launch to avoid looming failures and potentially costly repairs.
April 6, 2021
Guest column: Insurance Spring Checklist
Insurance may not be exciting but it is important. Check at launch. We all know we need to spend some time working on getting the boat ready for launch. But What about your Marine Insurance Policy?
March 24, 2021
Ask Andrew: Spring 2021 Checklist
Before you launch: Inspect all around the hose clamps for rust and replace as necessary. Double clamp fuel lines and exhaust hoses with marine-rated stainless steel hose clamps. While not technically required, it’s wise to double clamp whenever possible on all hoses − especially those below the waterline.
March 9, 2021
What You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Sailboat
Slovenian manufacturer, Elan, has introduced the concept of regenerative electrical auxiliary power to its boat and has partnered with engine builder Oceanvolt to develop a step-by-step introduction to the concept.
March 9, 2021
Ask Andrew – Off-Season checks for Bilge pump system
One of the items that gets taken for granted during the spring prep work is the bilge pumping system; it’s one of those on-board features that many of us assume is in working order….until something goes wrong.
February 23, 2021
Ask Andrew: Below-the-water inspections in the off season for power and sail
When the boat is in the water, It’s easy to take for granted the parts of the boat that are under the water. It’s also simple to think ‘everything worked well last year, so I won’t worry about it this year.’
February 22, 2021
So you want to be a better boater? Boating skills for novice to advanced boaters
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unexpected changes in our lives, impacting everything from boating to vacations and these trends look to continue into the future.
February 9, 2021
Ask Andrew: ELCI’s – protecting the boat’s Shore-power grounding connection
Two weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised by the reaction from the article published on the importance of GFCI outlets. I received many more emails than usual in response to this topic, most of them echoing the importance of this type of protection aboard.
January 27, 2021
Ask Andrew: GFCI protection
I’m often asked to take a look at a survey to complete repairs at the request on a boat owner’s insurance company. Over the years, I’ve noticed that there are some items that are considered much less ‘risk’, than others when identified on a survey.
January 13, 2021
Cars on board: Hooking up – Trailering Basic Knowledge
The other day I started thinking about all the trailer towing I have done over the years and what I have learned. If it has happened, it has happened to me including my trailer going in its own direction. So, I thought I would pass on some of my knowledge and experiences.
January 13, 2021
Ask Andrew: Propeller selection
Styles, shapes, pitch and diameter of props are widely discussed on online boating forums, YouTube videos and in boatyard scrimmages. The pros and cons aren’t always debated well – so lets take a look at some of the terms, options and choices to allow you to make some educated decisions.
December 15, 2020
Ask Andrew – December 17, 2020
‘‘Twas the night before Christmas and all ‘cross the land, boats were left to slumber, exactly as planned. Engines were winterized and tarps were tied tight, but batteries – and what to do – give many a fright.