Blog
COMMON MISTAKES BOAT OWNERS MAKE
on May 27, 2020
Not Sea-Trialing The Boat After Repairs Are Made A client purchased a used powerboat with a large outboard that had a cracked head. Because he wrote into the contract that the engine had to be working before he would buy the boat, the dealer had the engine fixed and claimed they performed a compression test to verify everything was fine. After paying for the boat, the first time the new owner took the boat out, […]
RENEWING YOUR COAST GUARD REGISTRATION
on May 20, 2020
Renewing your boat’s U.S. Coast Guard documentation The Coast Guard can’t prevent outside vendors from helping boaters with renewals, but it comes at a cost — private companies typically charge three times more than the U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). Some of these third-party companies may also send out official-looking letters offering renewal. A number of boaters have complained that these letters direct them to the same misleading websites. Often, the mailings […]
WI-FI AND YOUR BOAT
on May 6, 2020
Wi-Fi has invaded just about every aspect of our lives. It’s in our homes, our workplaces, and our cars. Now it’s even showing up on our boats. But do we really need or want Wi-Fi aboard? Despite the downsides of cost, complexity, and ceaseless badgering from the outside world, the answer for most of us is a resounding “Yes.” Getting your boat connected has some huge advantages. The enhanced communications offers both convenience and security; […]
WORKING FROM YOUR BOAT
on May 1, 2020
Sometimes, being able to take care of professional and personal business while on your boat can give you more freedom and peace of mind. Here’s advice about improving communications aboard. Getting online while onboard is relatively easy and reliable these days. We’ve lived, cruised, and worked aboard our boats since 1979, so our office capabilities are probably more complex than those of other cruisers. But through trial and error, we’ve learned solutions to many communications […]
BOAT CAPACITY ADVICE
on April 29, 2020
If you’re taking a group of friends and family out, follow these tips to make sure you don’t overload. Be Responsible…. Capacity Plates On Smaller Boats Boats measuring less than 20 feet and powered by a motor are required to carry a plate showing the manufacturer’s designed capacity limits. Some manufacturers also provide capacity plates on boats up to 26 feet in length. This plate includes the boat’s maximum capacity, usually in number of passengers […]
MARINE AND BOATING ACRONYMS
on April 22, 2020
Below is a list of acronyms used in the past. If there are other marine abbreviations you need an explanation for, or some you think we should include, email us and we’ll do our best to answer or add them. ACR: An automatic charge relay is a one-way gate for voltage that allows the second battery in a system to be charged when the motor is feeding the system via the alternator without having to select […]
MARINE SURVEYS – IT’S NOT ABOUT THE COST
on April 15, 2020
Don’t choose a surveyor on price alone. Of course you need to know up front what the cost of the survey will be, but it could be a case of “if you don’t pay now, you’ll pay later.” That bargain-basement-price survey could cost you in the long run should the surveyor miss some important fault on the boat. If problems are caught before inking the deal, you have the option of renegotiating the price or […]
BE ALARMED
on April 8, 2020
High-water alarms are installed on all boats built to its standards, for good reason: These simple devices typically use a switch to activate an alarm when water reaches a predetermined level and can save your boat. Statistics have shown that 69 % of boats sink while at their dock — a good reason to connect the sensor to the boat’s horn so others will know if your boat is taking on water. If your boat […]
USE YOUR TIME TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE
on April 1, 2020
Regardless of your boat’s size and systems, routine inspections and maintenance can alert you to potential problems. Changing engine oil, and checking fluid levels are the best way to keep your boat running smoothly. Even well maintained engines will show signs of age. Leaks from steering cables, drips from the last oil change, or fuel from leaky fittings can all find their way into the bilge. While we have some down time, why not put […]
SOME FLORIDA RESTRICTIONS
on March 25, 2020
With all the inaccurate information out there, here’s some facts as are available now: Are Florida Keys beaches, parks and attractions open? The island destination is closed to visitors since 6 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Florida Keys lodging businesses are directed to close at that time. Many Florida Keys attractions are closed or are planning to close. The City of Marathon has closed Sombrero Beach and all city beaches. Key West’s Smathers Beach is closed as […]