February 8, 2022
Boat nerd: Boat DC Electrics – part 3
The other factor that affects wire size after the “how much current can it handle before burning up” question is, what is the voltage drop across the wire? At 120V if we lose a volt or two along the wire run it’s no big deal. At 12V if we lose a volt or two it’s a very different story.
January 26, 2022
Safety: Five midwinter checkup tips for boat owners
Storms have hammered the country big time this winter so many recreational boats are sleeping away the winter under a layer of ice and snow. If you store your boat outside and haven’t checked up on her lately, The folks at Boat Owners Association of The United States offers five tips for a midwinter checkup that apply nicely in Canada, too.
January 26, 2022
Boat nerd: Boat DC Electrics – part 2: Wiring your Boat
In Part 1, last issue, you reviewed the fundamentals. Now that you understand some of the basic constructs of electrical work we look at getting down to the exercise of determining what wire too use and how do I connect it?
January 12, 2022
Boat nerd: Boat DC Electrics – part 1
This series deals with basic DC boat wiring concepts. From various articles and posts I see, and talking with boating friends, there seems to be mystery for many when it comes to boat electrics. I don’t intend this to be a deep dive but hopefully enough to take away some of the mystery.
November 24, 2021
What I learned from my sacrificial anode
Once our boat comes out of the water, I take the annual fall tour of the hull so I can determine what to worry about all winter. The first thing I note is that the sacrificial anode I had intended to replace prior to launch last spring remains un-replaced.
November 10, 2021
Boat Nerd: Lithium Batteries – Why? Part 2 Science
Last issue, The Boat Nerd, Mike Wheatstone, introduced us to lithium batteries and explained why they are important. <link to Part 1>. This time, we dig deeper into the technology inside them.
October 27, 2021
The Boat Nerd: Lithium batteries
What is my interest in Lithium batteries? We spend three months of the winter on our Leopard43 “Peregrine” in the Caribbean (at least we did pre-covid!) When our 630Ah AGM batteries died after seven years I decided to go lithium for the reasons outlined below.
October 27, 2021
Keven Talks Sails: Sail and Cover Cleaning
Last issue we covered most of the different materials used for protective covers, and these durable materials require special care. So, how often should you wash your sails and sail covers? As infrequently as possible! An aggressive and thorough sail washing can wash several seasons’ worth of use out of a sail; work on preventing soiling rather than relying on cleaning!
September 22, 2021
An investment in enjoyment – regular boat maintenance pays dividends
It has always been important to have a marina that can provide good service, but in the madness that was the summer of 2020, getting great service was really essential to a great boating experience.
June 22, 2021
Marc Robic’s DIY: Upgrading from manual to electric head
As bareboat charterers for many years now, most boats we’ve had the pleasure of renting had an electric head. Much to our enjoyment and that of our fellow passengers, they are super simple to operate and explaining how to use them is a breeze. Plus it’s a whole lot more pleasant than facing the bowl to pump!
May 25, 2021
Tips and Tricks: Prep in pandemic times – Part 2
Last issue we got up with Montreal sailor Marc Robic who has accumulated a lot of tips and tricks for prepping your boat, especially as we emerge from lockdown.
May 25, 2021
Launch prep: Maintenance and pre-season checklist for cable steering systems
While some parts of the country are lucky enough to have year-round boating, there are plenty of places where boats are put away for extended storage. When the weather warms up and it’s time to hit the water again, you want to do everything in your power to ensure a smooth start to the boating season and trouble-free time on the water all year long.
May 25, 2021
Longer Battery Life Pt2 Maintenance – How to get more years from your boat batteries
All marine batteries require regular maintenance, even AGM and lithium-based models. Put maintenance on your calendar so it’s automatic. Consider storing safety and maintenance equipment near your charging station to save time.
May 11, 2021
Tips and Tricks: Prep in pandemic times – Part 1
Spring has finally sprung! At least it has weather wise here in Montreal, so it is with great anticipation and boyish giddiness that I loaded the car with all the “things” I will need for this special day – the first of many pre-launch readiness days!
May 11, 2021
Longer Battery Life Pt1 – How to get more years from your boat batteries
Early battery failure is costly and frustrating enough. But with a short boating season and unpredictable weather… if you lose a weekend, it hurts. Worse, battery problems can leave you stranded on the water — a safety hazard and a leading cause of tows.
April 6, 2021
Converting onboard icebox into a fridge/freezer
The desire or rather, the argument, to convince my wife (AKA First Mate) to convert our icebox to a fridge came after our first two trips onboard our Catalina 270, Aquaholic 3, up to the Thousand Islands from our home port in Montreal.
March 9, 2021
Cars Onboard: Trailer Maintenance
There is nothing worse than your boat trailer breaking down while on the way to a great weekend. Over the years I have towed a lot of items big and small and have owned a few trailers, and have been lucky enough to not have anything real bad happen to me with a boat on the trailer.
March 9, 2021
The Boat Nerd: Remote Boat monitoring
How do you know what’s happening with your boat when you’re not on board? This is especially trying in the Covid world we find ourselves in when many of us may not be able to get back to our boats!
January 27, 2021
How to do a midwinter checkup on your boat – four tips
Boating boomed in 2020, with scads of first-time boat buyers chasing respite from the pandemic. Now many of these new boat owners are learning how to maintain and store their vessels for the first time. A midwinter visit to check on the boat − no matter if stored ashore in a backyard, a yacht club or a marina parking lot − is a wise thing to do.
January 27, 2021
The Boat Nerd: Everything you always wanted to know about Solar Power on a Boat
For anyone cruising on a boat that will be away from the dock for any appreciable time keeping the batteries charged becomes an important consideration. The silent and on-going cost-free nature of solar power make’s it an obvious candidate.
September 22, 2020
Safety: Care for your Inflatable PFDs
I often get asked if regular care and maintenance is necessary for inflatable PFDs. Here is a rather lengthy answer to the question and some recommendations. The sources of this information come courtesy from Mustang Survival. The information has been edited to reflect approved inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) sold in Canada.
June 23, 2020
Marine Vinyl Wrap – An Alternative to Paint
Wrapping your hull with marine vinyl wrap instead using traditional marine paint seems like a new trend for the West Coast but it has been common in Europe, New Zealand, and Australia for quite some time.
May 28, 2020
Cored Deck Repair
It’s race night and the breeze is strong. Sails are full, the rigging is taught and the crew are working hard. Footfalls hit the deck and bodies move across the cabintop. The boat is tacked and sails are changed. Sheets are tightened and maximum downwind speed is reached.
May 13, 2020
Canadian Yachting Media 12-Volt Webinar 2 – Charging
On May 21 at 1400 EDT, Canadian Yachting Media will present the 2nd webinar in its series on better understanding your boats systems with 12-volt Charging: The Basics. Canadian Yachting magazine contributor, Rob MacLeod, hosts this webinar series that will looks at various aspects of boating and boat maintenance.
March 25, 2020
Do It Yourself Deck Repairs
After a successful R2Ak and regatta season in 2019, I felt that Pitoraq was due for a major maintenance catch-up. I decided to forgoe winter racing and take advantage of an extended haul -out from October to March.
March 10, 2020
What’s a yacht and small craft marine surveyor worth?
Pause for a moment and ponder this question. How much is your life and your safety at sea worth? Most people would say priceless and impossible to put a value on.
February 25, 2020
Pitoraq – keeping a boat in good order: Part 3
In preparation for permanently fixing the rudder bearings into the hull and deck, I put the rudder in place with the bearings on the stock and shimmed and clamped the rudder to hold it in alignment.
February 11, 2020
Marine Diesel Engine Theory and Maintenance Course in March
This one-day course is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of how your Marine Diesel engine operates and how it should be maintained. The course consists of both theory and practical demonstration sessions.
January 8, 2020
1 way to put your anchor aweigh, er, away
This bag does more than hold your anchor and rode in one tidy little pile. After you’ve anchored you can dunk the whole thing – anchor, rode and bag – into the drink for a rinse, and then let it air dry before toting it back (in organized fashion) aboard the mother ship.
December 18, 2019
Keeping a good boat in good repair.
The boat was put on the hard for this winter and were going to follow along with Graham as he repairs and upgrades the sailboat that has provided many memories and years of comfortable safe boating.
September 30, 2019
Your Compass – The Most Reliable Instrument on Your Boat
I remember vividly my first experience using a chart plotter and navigation system. Deciding that we should try the cruising lifestyle, we purchased an older boat and set out from Hindson’s Marina in Penetanguishene at dawn to sail across Nottawasaga Bay to Thornbury, Ontario for the Canada Day long weekend.
September 10, 2019
Inflatable Boat Repair Course November 4 – 8th, Vancouver
The West Coast Boatyard Association has put together a 5-day inflatable repair course led by the professionals at Zodiac MilPro in Delta, BC this November. Space is limited and registration is only offered through WCBA.
June 5, 2019
Gasoline Containing Ethanol Can Disable Your Engine
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.
April 24, 2019
Improving WiFi on board
For less than US$2,500, Jim Leshaw, a lawyer who lives and works in Key Biscayne, Florida, installed an onboard wireless network that allows him to work from many remote locations.
January 23, 2019
New Trotac Marine products at VIBS
With the Vancouver International Boat Show just around the corner I contacted Campbell and Alex at Trotac Marine to find out which new products will be highlighted at their booth this year.
January 8, 2019
Marine Diesel Engine Theory and Maintenance Course
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.
March 26, 2018
Time To Sink Zinc
Most of us don’t give a second thought to our sacrificial anodes – those curious knobs of raw metal found on outdrives, shafts, rudders, and other metal components that dangle under the boat.
December 19, 2017
Marine Diesel Engine Theory and Maintenance Course
This one-day course consists of both theory and practical demonstration sessions, is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of how your Marine Diesel engine operates and how it should be maintained.
September 27, 2017
Going iPad for Racing: Exploring iRegatta
Since the initial article of this column we have identified a wide range of apps and accessories for your iPad, including numerous marine navigation apps like iNavX and Navionics as well as a number of other marine related apps and accessories. One feature we have not yet considered is the use of apps for racing. Whether you race professionally or for fun there are apps that help take your racing to the next level.