Many boat owners get a surprise when they read their old manual. You see a requirement for leaded fuel and suddenly you feel stuck. Times have changed, and leaded gas is basically a ghost from the past. You cannot find…
We all know the panic when a repair goes wrong. You might think it is fine to crank the engine on your trailer, but that is a quick way to ruin an impeller. I have seen guys melt their blocks…
Never underestimate the frustration of a boat that refuses to wake up when you are at the ramp. I spent many weekends staring at a blank engine while the line behind me grew. It taught me that small details make…
Someone told me once that boats are just money pits that float on water. I thought they were joking until I burned up my own water pump. It happens fast, and it hurts your wallet even faster. You really have…
Sometimes you buy a used boat and find the motor just does not fit right. The boat drags, the engine cavitates, and you lose all your speed. It feels like a guessing game, but it is actually simple math. You…
Actually, prepping your boat for the cold months is not just about covering it up and hoping for the best. I learned this the hard way after my first season when the internal metal parts rusted over. Moisture is the…
So you finally got that boat out on the water, but the work is not done when you tie it to the dock. Salt water is brutal on metal, and it eats away at your cooling system if you leave…
What if you buy a boat, take it out for the first time, and the engine quits? It is a nightmare scenario for any owner. I have seen folks get tricked by a seller who reset the gauge. You need…
Often people ask me about boat mechanics because they think it is just like working on a car, but it is much more precise. When your engine is not square with the shaft, you get bad vibrations and potential seal…
No, you do not need to sit in your driveway for twenty minutes before you start driving. Many people think idling helps, but it actually keeps the engine cold for far too long. That can lead to oil dilution or…