Mike Dickens

Issues with Oil Learn about possible issues with your marine engine prior to problems arising by getting your oil analyzed! Oil analysis is the easiest, simplest and least expensive method to consistently watch the shape of your vessel's transmissions, generators and engines. As a part of an annual maintenance program, performing an oil analysis allows you to see possible problems before the equipment actually quits.

Food, you may only survive about three weeks without eating. When purchasing food, it takes time to think about which food items you must amass for the future. But stocking up on any food that is not both tasty and nutritious will be a waste of time.

You've received an offer for your yacht; the buyer is now setting up the survey. The survey is an in depth examination of your yacht and can be the make or break aspect of the arrangement. So preparing for the particular survey ought to be a high priority. Marine surveyors look for a spotless, well maintained vessel; it sets the stage for the survey.

Purchasing a used boat can be difficult. Interpreting the listing details is often confusing as to the actual condition and operational state of the boat; a good number of selling yacht brokers would prefer to not convey to you the exact flaws of a yacht. The rationale for this? Most boat sellers don't like it when they hear their broker saying anything negative about their boat; the listing is supposed to appeal to a purchaser, not discourage them.

We Yacht Brokers are very experienced on endorsing the pluses of owning a boat. And those of us Yacht Brokers that truly have a vessel have a distinct advantage. However what we don't care for are the problems associated with selling a boat in a down market; it's brutal to say the least. But it must be done.

Cruising is a lifestyle which hundreds of individuals like. Boating is fun for people who love being out on the open waters. Yachting is entertaining but it requires more information and knowledge than simply grabbing the wheel and cranking the engine(s).

Most boats built today are constructed of fiberglass. A fiberglass vessel is made of resins and synthetic glass plastic matting fused as one to strengthen it. The exterior boat topsides are made of layers of colored resins referred to as gel coat. Gel coat is the material used to provide the high-quality finish on the visible area of the toughened material beneath.

As a boater we come upon many different and at times unusual conditions; and often they are not what we believe they are. We had these dock mates a few years back that were complaining to me about the galvanic deterioration on their vessel's submerged zincs while visiting a local marina. "It was so bad, you could actually hear the corrosion taking place; we'll by no means go to that marina again." I simply grinned and nodded my head.

For a while I have been investigating ways to create power without the help of my trawler's genset. It doesn't take very long to utilize 100 hours of generator time, enough for one more oil change. To begin with i installed a solar panel, and then came an inverter, and now, the newest is a wind generator.

Over the past several months, we have been working to expand our trawler's ability to operate without help from land. Soon, we look forward to to be cruising to the Bahamas where being self-sufficient is essential. First there was an inverter, now we have hooked up a water maker.