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...]
Hydraulic Outboard Engine Jack Plates
Flats boats benefit from the use of jack plates to allow them to move the engine vertically upwards to get into shallow water. In addition to the power tilt and trim system that swings the engine around a pivot point on the mounting bracket, … [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...]
What’s in YOUR Drybox?
A Small Boat's Drybox and Its Contents The Quick and Easy Drybox Solution for a Small Boat The bowlocker on my Boston Whaler stays pretty full. In the picture you can see the lifejacket and anchor and rode. I also keep a gallon jug of water and my … [Read more...]
Dry Storage Solutions – Tips from Tropical Boating
Dry Bags, Dry Boxes, and Dry Pouches A dry bag, a dry pouch, and a combination bailer/dry storage container make good dry storage solutions on a small boat. Shop for Dry Bags In addition to the cooler I use as a dry box on my Boston Whaler, I … [Read more...]
Docking Outboard-Powered Small Sailboats
An outboard engine may look a little funny hanging off the back of a sailboat, but it can offer extra maneuverability that is impossible with inboard engines. Inboard engines are prone to "prop walk" at slow speeds, because the shaft is usually … [Read more...]
How to Dock an Outboard or Sterndrive Powerboat in 3 Easy Pictures
In the images below, the red arrow on the boat is a speed vector, indicating the speed and direction of movement of the boat 1. Approach the dock at an angle, then shift into neutral 2. Turn the engine hard over toward the dock, then … [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...]
Small Outboard Engine Tilt and Trim: Theory and Practice
My first 15' Boston Whaler, back when I was a teenager, had only manual tilt, and I longed for a hydraulic tilt and trim engine. My current 15' Boston Whaler has a Merc 70 with hydraulic tilt and trim (pictured above), which makes it far easier to … [Read more...]
