3-blade stainless steel prop on a Mercury 70hp outboard lasts for years despite numerous groundings. Buying a different propeller can dramatically change the performance of your boat. You can select a propeller for the pickup or hole shot it … [Read more...]
Boat Repairs & Upgrades
Upgrading and repairs can be costly and time-consuming. But one thing you can always count on: Your boat will need upgrades and repairs.
A Little Morning Project Spirals Out of Control
A "little morning project" to replace a bracket for the outboard steering arm ended up involving complete disassembly and revarnishing of the mahogany console on my Boston Whaler. We had some problems with the 70 hp Mercury that came with our old … [Read more...]
The Perfect Solo Mast-Raising System for Small Sailboats
A side view of the sailboat with the mast raising system ready for use. I have seen lots of different techniques and contraptions used to raise and lower the masts on small sailboats. All suffer from the same problems for solo sailors, and I … [Read more...]
Building a Live Bait Well For A Small Boat
This is what I came up with to use as a livewell on my 15' Boston Whaler.I bought a round drink cooler at Wal Mart, and removed the handle on one side. In its place, I drilled a hole with a hole saw and installed an ordinary plastic bulkhead … [Read more...]
Emergency Engine Water Pump Repair
Hugo's water pump blew while he was motoring through Pine Island Sound — home to lots of fishing shacks like this one, but not a good place to blow your water pump. A couple of years ago, I sold an Irwin 37 center cockpit ketch to a man named Hugo. … [Read more...]
A Teak and Sandy Sole
Converting my teak and holly sole into a teak and sandy sole, making only the holly strips a non-skid surface I decided I wanted to varnish the teak and holly cabin sole in my Com-Pac Sun Cat. It's a plywood piece with teak and holly veneer, and … [Read more...]
Kinetic Energy: Almost More Boating Fun Than The Law Allows
After appropriating a small boat from my friend's little sister, we made a few modifications.... When I was a teenager, my friend Gene's little sister got a boat from some friends, who figured she could play with it in their swimming pool. When I … [Read more...]
Buying a new outboard engine
When it's time to replace your old outboard, your local dealership will properly prepare your new outboard engine for salt water use. When you buy a new outboard engine, the dealer should perform a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) on the … [Read more...]
New Power Tilt and Trim for a Boston Whaler
The hydraulic tilt and trim on my Boston Whaler's Merc 70 Q: How many sailors does it take to screw in a lightbulb?A: It's cheaper to sit in the dark. When we first bought our 1989 Boston Whaler 15, there was a slow leak in the … [Read more...]
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