Battery types
Wet cells: The de facto standard for high capacity batteries in boats for many years has been the basic wet cell lead-acid battery. These are somewhat simple in design. Plates are submerged in a liquid acid electrolyte contained in a…
Author: Wayne Canning
Upgrading batteries
For a very long time, high-capacity battery technology remained pretty simple. Wet cell lead-acid batteries were pretty much the only choice boaters had. Over the last 10…
Squeezing out fresh water
The term “watermaker” is a bit of a misnomer, as these units do not really make water but rather turn undrinkable salt water into drinkable fresh water.
Battery types
Batteries come in many types and sizes depending on the needs of the owner.
Emergency signaling choices
From the time radio communications arrived it was understood that getting a message out in an emergency was of prime importance.
Short messaging via space
When traveling, even a few miles offshore, communications start to become a bit of a challenge.
The Achilles’ heel of hydraulic steering systems
Any steering system is just that — a system. Each part has to work with all the others for the whole system to work.
Lower power and longer life
Saving power has always been a challenge aboard any cruising vessel. Lighting for both interior and navigational lights has been a major factor in that power use.
Voyaging gensets
A look at the steady improvement of marine generators
Ten ways to save money on boat insurance
Since marine insurance is not regulated like other types of insurance, prices can vary widely. Getting the best coverage for the best value takes a bit of homework. Let's take a look at 10 ways you can begin saving.
Keeping watch from a distance
Imagine yourself at work when your cell phone rings. It’s your boat calling to tell you the high water alarm has just gone off. A quick call to your dock master and a loose air conditioner hose is soon fixed. Or perhaps it is 0200 and your boat calls to tell you the aft deck laser beam has just been breached and the side deck door has been opened. You quickly key in a code that will disable the engine and all electronics.
