Conserve battery power with LEDs
By Gary Bain Over time, I have made many changes and improvements to Gone With The Wind, a 1990 MK1 Catalina 36. This year I …
How to add solar panels to your boat
For this article, I’ve invited longtime friend and coconspirator, Peter Jenkin, to share his experience adding solar power to his boat. I have known Pete …
Step-by-step fiberglass deck repair
Houston Sail & Power Squadron/21 member Richard Lipham solved a big problem for Sea Scout Ship 1996. The ship’s main training boat, a 1973 Santana …
Chafing gear failure strands catboat
By Lee R. Johnson How secure is your boat’s chafing gear? All it takes to find out is a good nor’easter—astronomically high tides, storm surge …
How to assemble a first-aid kit
One of the most neglected pieces of safety equipment on a small boat is the first-aid kit. As a vessel examiner, I have asked many …
Store propane cylinders safely on deck
Summer’s here! Now’s the time to get in the boat, visit your favorite cove and drop the hook. Before long, you’ll get out the propane …
Waterproof canvas with wood conditioner
Nearly every boat has some canvas to provide shade, act as a windbreak, and protect us from spray and rain. New canvas has a waterproof …
Keep your boat fungus-free in winter
You’ve winterized your boat, perhaps wrapped and sealed it against the elements so it will be clean and ready to sail come spring. Or will …
Rig your own emergency lightning protection
In my 14 years as a vessel examiner, I have rarely seen a set of jumper cables on a boat, and I don’t carry jumper …
Connect your GPS to your VHF radio
By Ron Schwiesow Modern VHF marine radios include Digital Selective Calling, a semiautomated method of making radio calls. DSC allows mariners to send instant, digitally …
Joining onboard grills to propane tanks
By Richard H. Eckhouse Like many of you, I enjoy using a grill on my boat. My Mainship trawler came with a propane stove in the …
