Posted: February 1, 2012 | Tags: Electronics
I’ve been hearing about the new “CHIRP” sonar, and I’m interested in upgrading to one, but I’ve been told the through-hull transducers they use are huge — almost 2 feet long and about 50 pounds. I’m worried that something this big on my boat’s bottom could be enough to affect handling. Have you heard of any issues like this?
Posted: February 1, 2012
I have a Honda 40 hp four-stroke engine on my dinghy. When I change the gearcase oil (using Lucas 90 weight), it goes in a dark honey color, but when I drain it at the end of the season, the oil comes out green — and the more hours, the greener it gets. I had the oil analyzed, and the report found no salt in the oil but traces of water and particulates. Is it at all normal for the oil to change color?
Posted: February 1, 2012
I recently read about a hand-held satellite phone, and I wonder if they really work?
Posted: February 1, 2012
I leave the boat for a few months during the off-season. What do you recommend we should do to keep our boat safe and to be ready for next season?
Posted: January 1, 2012
Is it OK to bring a dog cruising? Will they always have a place to do their business?
Posted: January 1, 2012
At a recent on-water boat show, I noticed a number of larger boats with built-in fuel-polishing systems. Why?
Posted: January 1, 2012
We want to buy our first boat. We are trying to decide whether to buy a ski boat, a fishing boat or a boat to cruise in to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. How does one decide?
Posted: January 1, 2012
Can you settle a bet for me? My slip neighbor says you can’t see storm clouds on radar unless it’s actually raining. I say you can, because I’ve seen clouds on screen and then gone under them, and it wasn’t raining. Who's right?
Posted: January 1, 2012
I have always been delighted with my Good anchor windlass. It never failed us in many years of service — until recently. I can push the switch either up or down, and there’s no engagement of the windlass. Eventually, with enough “pushes,” it’ll do what I ask it to do — for a while. What’s the best way to check the system?
Posted: January 1, 2012
I have been piloting 40-foot boats most of my life, with my wife being a great first-mate. She says it’s time to get a bow thruster and give her a break. Even though she says she’ll pay for it, the thought dents my ego. Is a thruster worth it on such a small boat?
Posted: December 1, 2011
How do I select a diver to change my zincs and inspect and clean the bottom? How often should the zincs be changed?
Posted: December 1, 2011
I just “stole” a gorgeous 26-foot Bertram. The hull is magnificent, but the inline 6s are history, as are the drives. What do you think about upping to 4.3s or 5.0s? I’m looking at this as my winter project.
Posted: December 1, 2011
How can I keep track of my battery use? My batteries seem to run down to a low voltage, and I want to be able to extend that time. What can I do?
Posted: December 1, 2011
While going over my winterization checklist, I saw nothing about changing the antifreeze in my FWC MerCruiser 7.4s. How often — if ever — should this be done?
Posted: December 1, 2011
During a recent docking, I smacked a piling, and a 6-inch segment of the rubber insert in my boat’s rubrail popped out. I’ve tried shoehorning it back into the groove, but it won’t fit. A friend thought I’d have to remove the rubrail from the boat completely and re-thread it into the groove all the way around the boat. I think that would work, but this is going to be a big job. Is there any easier way to repair it?