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Happy New Year, Boating Friends!
Here we are - it’s January again. As Boaters, we are usually in-the-midst of getting ready to head out to Winter Boat Shows across our Home and Native Land, to rendezvous with our Boating Community and see what’s new on the market. But sadly, again, we can’t do that. So, we need something to keep ourselves from the Doldrums of Winter and looking forward to another great boating season. For that reason, I decided to compile this edition of Boating Equipment News (BEN) with articles about your Boating Equipment. “Ask Andrew” is a regular column in CY Onboard written by Andrew McDonald, a Marine Technician and graduate of the Georgian College ‘Mechanical Techniques - Marine Engine Mechanic’ program. Today’s BEN is a curation of my favourite “Ask Andrew” articles. I hope you enjoy my picks. You can also click here for a full list of every “Ask Andrew” that we have published. The topics are timeless.
Speaking of Marine Engine Mechanics programs, I have shared a few links to some of the main marine technical and apprenticeship programs in Canada. I too, am a grad of a Georgian College Marine Tech program and love this industry. Working in recreational boating around Canada’s amazing waterbodies is great. Perhaps it is something to consider if you or someone you know is looking for a career direction.
Georgian College, Ontario - Mechanical Techniques – Marine Engine Mechanic
Quadrant Marine Institute – Marine Service Technician Apprenticeship Program
BC Institute of Technology – Marine Mechanic Technician Apprenticeship Program
Vancouver Island University – Motorcycle Mechanic & Marine Technician Apprenticeship Program
Nova Scotia – Marine Service Technician Certification
I truly hope that you are all enjoying the new year so far. Enjoy!
Jill Snider, Publisher, CY Media
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Ask Andrew: Below the waterline off-season checks – Part 1
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The boat is out. It’s resting comfortably at the yacht club, marina, storage yard, or driveway. Winterizing is done. It’s protected with shrink-wrap, a tarp or a custom cover. Mechanically and physically, she’s been put to bed for the winter. So, now what? Take this time to review all the stuff that you can’t see when the boat is in the water. Here’s a list of items that you may wish to incorporate into your off-season work, and spring prep – and some of these items...
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Ask Andrew: Below the waterline off-season checks – Part 2
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In this part, we’ll delve deeper into the other parts of the boat found below the water line: the underwater mechanical components, including: props, shafts, outdrives, and cathodic protection devices (anodes). Here’s a checklist of some of the areas that you should consider while they’re exposed this off-season. 1) Check the props for any damage – look for dings, bends or cracks on the prop blades. Be sure to include the skeg and prop hub in your inspection...
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Ask Andrew: Electrical Installations – Part 1: Electrical Connections - basics and how-to’s
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Winter is a great time to look at some of the hidden spaces on your boat – to take stock of what is aboard, areas of improvement and ways to upgrade. One of the most common jobs that I’m asked to look at are electrical installations and upgrades. Surprisingly, the majority of these types of jobs are to ‘clean up’ the wiring of years past – when electrical standards were more fluid, and jury-rigged upgrades have been added and adapted over multiple owners and...
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Ask Andrew: Electrical Installations – Part 2: fuses and breakers
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Last time we looked at making proper electrical connections – the tools, supplies and methods needed to make connections between components and wiring. When planning out electrical work, one of the more common questions that I address is on the set-up, installation and sizing of breakers and fuses. Fuses and breakers are collectively called ‘overcurrent protection’ – and these come in many different shapes, styles and sizes. Their purpose is the same...
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Ask Andrew: Top Pick of Resources – Print and Online
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Recently, I’ve been asked about my most used reference books and websites – so I thought I’d share my favourites. By no means is this a comprehensive list – and each of these books and website aren’t the authority or final word on the subject. They are simply my favourites and most often referenced. If you’re looking to build your library of useful texts and browser bookmarks, this is a good place to start! All About Small Gas Engines – Jud Pervis 1963 Congress...
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Ask Andrew – The Bucket
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I was cleaning up my workbench the other day. My eyes then scanned across my workbench and fell on ‘the bucket’. Everyone has a one. On a boat, it’s usually in a cockpit lazarette. It’s full of old paint cans and half-used tubes of caulking. There might be some white grease, painters tape or epoxy in there, too. I take my bucket everywhere and it’s full of all sorts of tubes of grease and sealants and adhesives. I thought to myself that I should probably sort...
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Ask Andrew: Should I buy that boat? – from a mechanic’s viewpoint
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This time of year, great deals abound. That boat with the ‘for sale’ sign looks quite attractive. The asking price is less than expected – the paint and varnish look great, with a bit of a polish and clean you can already feel the wind in your hair as you make way down the lake. The dream is perfect. But, there’s a caveat: The boat is being sold ‘as is’. You tell yourself ‘how bad can it be?’ as you reach for your chequebook… The problem lies in timing. Too often...
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Ask Andrew – What’s in a survey?
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I’ve found, in speaking with boaters the last few years, that a vessel survey is a misunderstood topic. Most of us hear “I need to get a survey” from fellow boaters, at the request of their insurance company. Many boaters wishing to buy or sell a boat will also request a survey. But, what is it? When you arrange to have a survey done, what are you buying? What qualifications does a surveyor have? What questions should you ask, or issues should you consider...
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Ask Andrew: Cleaning the Bilge - ugh
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Years ago it was a punishment. In the Royal Navy, and on merchant ships of the 19th century, the gun crews who were the quickest would receive an extra tot of rum. The crew who were slow or sloppy were tasked with cleaning out the ship’s bilge. Luckily, most of us aren’t press-ganged into cleaning the bilges. That doesn’t make the job any better, however. So why do we bother? There are a few reasons: The smell. Sitting, dirty water has a particular odour. In...
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Ask Andrew: Bilge rot - a cautionary tale
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I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve told my children to wash their hands. I remind them before dinner, after using the washroom, after touching dirty, sticky or grimy things. As a parent, I’ve become so used to saying ‘wash your hands’ that I’ve forgotten the nasty ramifications if you don’t. I hope that this serves as a cautionary tale: Boats are filthy. Lift an engine hatch, and along the edge or lip of the hatch you’ll see collected debris, dirt, grime, hair, food...
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Ask Andrew: Canvaswork - covers, dodgers and biminis
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Each spring, I tend to notice canvas. I wish it were because it’s been immaculately maintained and looks perfect when installed. I notice it because it’s a pain. Shrink wrap and tarps are removed, canvas is installed. Strataglass is fogged, rips and tears are evident, zippers are broken. In short, repairs are required. Lets face it, boat canvas takes a beating: it’s exposed to the elements: wind, rain and sun – and it’s maintenance is often overlooked in favour of more pressing...
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Ask Andrew: Connections at the battery
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Rarely have I seen a boat that is bought brand new and continues to look like it rolled off the factory floor a year or two later. Upgrades and changes are inevitable. A new GPS is installed. A cooler is replaced. Lights are swapped out. The list goes on. In my experience, there is nowhere that the gradual customization of a boat is more evident than at the battery. The battery connections on a 20 year old boat are something to behold: Held together with electrical...
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