Cleaning of water and fuel tanks
When the pleasure boating season is almost over and you’re going to winter store your boat, no matter whether wet or dry storage, one of the most common and needed procedures is cleaning the water and fuel tanks. Let’s analyse the crucial steps of accurate…
Rigging and mast cleaning and lubrication
Shrouds and mast are considered among the most reliable components of a sailboat. Not many other items convey the same feeling of being reliable. And maybe this is why their maintenance is often overlooked. However, service them regularly is essential to be sure that their…
Engine maintenance: cleaning and servicing
To keep your boat engine in good working order, it is good practice to perform all servicing activities. Regular engine servicing prevents unforeseen events and failures, also serious, that could put the season at risk or compromise safety during navigation. Engine servicing consists of two…
Life aboard: rules and roles.
Like in any family, company or group of people that join to manage their daily life, also life on board needs rules and roles. So parents become the partners of a company and a company’s CEO becomes the master of a ship. But, to make…
The boat launch after winterization
After winter storage it is now time to let our cuddle-eager “baby” have a bath. Let’s see how to prepare it for the launch. As described in the article about winter storage, some steps are similar and have to be repeated before boat launching, while…
Improve safety on board
Many people ask me how to improve their safety and their boat safety equipment. Given that we all have our own navigation style, most of the boats I visit aren’t compliant with their national marine standards for what concerns safety equipment: the liferaft is stuck…
Suggestions on anchorage in bay
A boat anchorage requires careful analysis of two crucial variables: the anchor and the most suitable place for mooring. The choice of the anchor depends on several aspects such as: Shape of the roller and space available on deck; Type of vessel; Navigation programme; Reliability…
A simple trick to unclog a slow sink drain
Sometimes water drain in your bathroom or kitchen sink can be very slow: foam and other debris aren’t be washed away by water but collect at the bottom of the sink. This is not a serious problem yet it’s pretty annoying. I’ve studied the issue…
Internet on board: how to connect in and offshore
A fast and reliable onboard connection is a major advantage for the modern sailor. Weather forecasts are available in real time and you can also work on board your boat. This article explores the main connectivity options when sailing in- and offshore, in Italy and…
Review: Fuel meter kit
Osculati code: 27.160.00 I gladly tested the sensor of the 27.160.00 kit as I found myself having to replace the old sensor in the second diesel tank, which was a capacitive one. The Osculati sensor I tested is a resistive-type tilt bar sensor. As I…
Vade mecum for sailboat dry storage
Once the season of joy has come to an end, here it comes the season of troubles…. Those who have to separate from their beloved boat for some months often have to beach and winterize it. Here is the step-by-step procedure. • Remove…
Guide: onboard batteries
Batteries are the heart of the electrical system: they start the engine and power all the boat electrical devices (lights, electric instruments, radio, fridge, etc.). These two fields of application are markedly different: engine starting needs very high currents (up to 700-900 Ampere) for a…
