Boat maintenance is a critical part of owning your vessel. The systems that protect, propel, and power your vessel are important to keep at peak performance to avoid problems when you’re underway or under sail. Engines, electrical systems, sails, seals, pumps, paint — don’t let them keep you from enjoying your pleasure craft. Waggoner has the boat maintenance tips to keep you in command of your maintenance for a carefree boating season.
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Preparing for the Boatyard
Before delivering your boat for service or repair, you can do a few things to ensure the boat’s time on the hard goes as anticipated, the work is completed on schedule, and there are no surprises. Tips for preparing for the boatyard: Create a work order....
Stuffing Box Basics – Seal the Deal Between the Bilge and Sea
Since the year 2000, most new boats have come equipped with shaft seals that require no packing, but inboard powered boats built before then have traditional stuffing boxes with packing. All stuffing boxes work on the same basic principle: Rings of special...
Dripless Shaft Seals – May be Dripless, But Not Maintenance Free
Advocates of dripless shaft seals are quick to point out their benefits over conventional stuffing boxes – no leaks, no flax to replace, no shaft scoring. But, the zinger is always the same. While it’s true dripless shaft seals require less care than a traditional...
Preparing Your Diesel for Cruising
For many of us, there’s nothing more pleasurable than sitting at anchor in a secluded cove in southeast Alaska, or on the northern British Columbia coast. Many of us do just that every year, cruising for two to five months at a time. But what if you are...
Preseason Inflatable Care
Most inflatable boats and (Rigid Hull Inflatables) RIBs are used as tenders and are subjected to some pretty tough conditions, but if maintained properly, they should provide 10 to 20 years of service. A little springtime preventive maintenance will help...
A To-Do List for a Carefree Boating Season
Prepare For a Carefree Boating Season―Get Organized With A To-Do-List In the spring rush to get the boat ready, it’s tempting to just paint the bottom and get back to cruising again. But to do so without a thorough inspection can be an invitation for...
When The Engine Does Not Crank
What To Do When The Engine Does Not Crank You've been in a beautiful bay for a few days, and it's time to move on. You push the starter button, and the engine does not crank. Now, what? It might very well be on the top of the list of fears of boaters. Mind...
Do you know your marine diesel engine?
How well do you know your diesel engine? Do you know what the different arrows are pointing at in the pictures? Have you ever air-locked your engine? Are you nervous about changing the fuel filter on your engine for the first time? Can you change your own...