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Dave, We had the Vulcan 25 on our Nordic Tug 37 for a few years. I added to replace the 20 Rocna that I had brought over from my 37 foot sailboat. The Vulcan performed great with no issues. We never dragged once with it with over 100 nights on the hook. It set quickly and if you are not careful...

Standard internally regulated alternators that are often OEM installed on boat engines, are really automotive or light truck style alternators. They are not "heavy duty", nor are they designed to run at high output for long periods of time without overheating resulting in possible failure. They...

Rusty, First off, I am not a marine electrician, but just a boat owner who has done some research into boat power systems. I am also, not very familiar with LiFePo, but it is my understanding that changes to the charging system may be needed (equipment changes not just settings) depending on...

It probably is available in the more modern electronically controlled engines. However, even with the older engines, by asking questions of the current owner about boat operation, one can get a general idea of how "loaded" or how hard the engine was worked. For example, using my friend's...

Totally agree with this except, for an even better $/AH/life cycle cost, it is very hard to beat flooded lead acid golf carts from the Sams Club or Costco, etc. Yes, there are some advantages to battery technologies like AGM, and for certain situations they are the best choice, but for most...

I agree completely with the fuel burned being a better measure of wear than strictly engine hours! After all, higher RPM uses more fuel for the same hours. All things being equal (same engine, age, maintenance, etc.), the engine run at 1400 RPM will generally experience less wear than the same...

Bill, I am not a marine technician/electrician. However, my concern is with your charging system, based on your comments of "boiling dry" lead acid batteries several times (if I read that right). Unless you do not check the fluid level very often, there is no reason (that I am aware of) a...

Maintenance is the key. If the engines have been well maintained in all regards, they are probably at about the halfway point (give or take a bit). This means, that if you continue with good maintenance (assuming they have been so far), and averaging 200 hours per year, you could see another...

Maggie, First off, corrosion issues (including anode depletion) can be a very variable and complex issue where even the "experts" can have vastly differing opinions (for example bond or isolate the various metals). Also, I am not an expert on this subject, but have owned boats for almost 20...

Steve K (SV), I think where your confusion is coming in is the fact that the battery "receives" charge from the various devices and does not (except for use with an inverter) "give out" a charge (under most circumstances). However, all of these charge sources connect to the batteries' positive...

Al, In my opinion, you need to first start with the question: "how do you plan to use the boat"? For example, just the two of you or lots of guests often, short trips on weekends or out for months at a time, long passages, or shorter distances, marina to marina or lots of time at anchor, etc...

Mark, As has been stated by a couple of other posters, I STRONGLY ADVISE you to conduct a "full maintenance" of your dripless seals. PSS states that the unit should be serviced every 6 years for the standard bellows, and every 10 years for the "upgraded" bellows. For the slight extra cost, I...

Scott, Very good idea to use your own "special purpose" hose for filling your freshwater tank. I have seen some people use the dock hose for flushing their "black" tank actually putting the end in the pumpout fitting!!! Yuck!! Once per year, clean your entire freshwater system per Peggy's...

ORBoater, Like most things and professions, there are good, bad, and in between brokers!!! Dah. Personally, I found that a lot of brokers are either lazy (want to do the very minimum possible (or even less)), or are not very knowledgeable, or really don't care much about their client's...

Here in Nanaimo (in the area where I live), we received between 12 and 15 inches of snow with temps of -7C (20 F). The good news is that the snow is light and somewhat "fluffy". I live about 1/4 mile from the ocean, at an elevation of about 300 feet just for reference.

jwag, Maybe if you inform us as to where your boat will be moored it would help. I know someone very good here in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, but he would not be appropriate for say, Anacortes :). It is always possible that at least one of our members knows the area, and could recommend someone...

Good tip Tom, However, here in Washington, BC, and Alaska waters, you must factor in cold water shock. As Scott stated, in most cases of MOB in these waters, you must consider that the person in the water will most likely not be able to assist themselves out of the water. I attended a MOB...

Yes, I have a Groco parts list, but I am not sure that they (OEM) sell the lid with hose bib. Seaboard Marine (in California) does, but you will need to know your model number. I have no affiliation with Seaboard, only believe in supporting Tony especially due to the loads and loads of...

Andrew, I don't know why you would need to try to do it this way and use (valuable due to limited capacity) tank water instead of taking the very few minutes to get out a hose?? The engine could use up to 10 gal. per minute at idle so even a short 3 minute flush would need around 20-30 gallons...

I strongly agree with those who follow Tony Athens' advice regarding the usefulness of regular freshwater flushing. Go to his website (sbmar.com) and check it out for yourself!!! He has tons of free info under Tony's Tips or on his several forums (just search the forums), complete with photos...

I am reasonably sure he is now retired, but I really liked Ken Rorison as a buyer's surveyor. Very thorough, and I found him to be a good guy as well.

Rich, When (trying to plan ahead), I contacted Imtra regarding brushes for my 18 year old unit, I was informed that brushes were no longer avaiable, and I would have to replace the motor section of the unit (the in hull part could be retained), and they offered a "discount". I never did have to...

Why I chose Eartec over Sena, was the bluetooth sync issue. Eartec do not require any ongoing syncing. You turn them on, put them on and they are ready to go. We never experienced any interference. They are totally "self contained" in the small headsets and do not need any connecting wires (like...

Keith and Steve, For us, with no flybridge and a Pilothouse with reasonably good vision forward, to starboard, and a bit more limited to stern, with the crew member on the outside on the stern, we found the headsets to be very useful. Easy, reliable 2 way communication. It does come in handy for...

Many places I boat have no cell coverage, or are in places with circumspect coverage (in other words dropped calls with moments of drop out). One good thing about the Eartecs, they are very clear, all connected to the system can both speak and listen without touching the units, and their range...