“It is therefore of vital importance to be absolutely fanatical about keeping the fuel clean. Yet so many boat owners treat their fuel system with indifference..The result is that 90% of diesel engine problems result from contaminated fuel.” That quote is by Nigel Calder, the dean of do-it-yourself boat maintenance, from his Boat owner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual. And Read More
What am I Buying??? Insurance coverage details are often overlooked, misrepresented, or simply ignored despite there being very important differences between marine insurance policies. Our job is to provide you with Insurance that is appropriate to your needs, within your budget, and balanced appropriately to your tolerance for the risks you face in your boating Read More
“Unbelievable! What are they doing?” This might be some of the dialog going on in your head on a typical summer weekend on the Chesapeake Bay, Long Island Sound, or any busy body of water. More often than not this is the direct result of a near collision situation. A good understanding of the rules Read More
Written by Captain Juan Watson My trusted diver has finally got an opportunity to get to one of my client’s vessel in Annapolis to change out the zincs. This particular client decided not to haul the boat this year, but instead leave it in the water at a marina. As part of the winter plan Read More
Updated Features Like Aerial Imagery and Detailed Marina Charts Provide Useful Info, Enhance Navigation Close to Port Most cruisers are aware of themany advantages GPS/chartplottersand electronic chartsoffer when it comes to navigating safely and efficiently.This is true whether they’re sailing along the coast for the day or spending the winter cruising from one tropical Bahamian port Read More
Written by Captain David Cannon Mariners and weather enthusiasts alike are no doubt familiar with a waterspout. Similarly, mariners know (or at least should know) these weather dangers are to be avoided at all costs, but what exactly is a waterspout? Is it simply a tornado over the water? Or is it something more than Read More
One cannot but marvel at the strides and innovations in onboard marine electronics. Today, equipment traditionally found on the sophisticated bridges of commercial vessels and mega yachts are now available in simpler forms to the recreational yachtsman. One such item that has become available and affordable to the recreational boater is Automatic Identification System, or Read More
Environmentally friendly spring commissioning Written by Captain Chuck Baier Being an active boater for decades, I’ve been able to see firsthand how things we do on and around the water affect the environment. Today, many of us make a concerted effort to use only green, eco-friendly products for cleaning and maintenance projects. There are a Read More
ON YOUR BOAT Written by Captain Juan Watson Many owners out there have either been down this road before or are about to head that way at some stage … the dreaded refit! It is absolutely understandable why there might be some trepidation. The following hypothetical situation will provide you with some perspective and useful Read More
Charting through the Years In September 1987, I sailed my 30-foot Hughes Columbia from Chesapeake Bay to Little River, South Carolina. After a few days of waiting weather, I exited the Little River Inlet and pointed the bow toward Bermuda, some 1,000 miles away. To find that small speck in the middle of the Atlantic, Read More
