When it comes to a boat engine, which is best? Petrol or diesel, inboard or outboard? Stu Davies answers your questions
Stu Davies
I need help understanding my marine alternator! Ask the experts
PBO reader Paul Farr wants help in understanding his marine alternator. Engine whisperer Stu Davies comes to his aid
How Perkins marine engines became world-famous
The Volvo Penta engine on our Maxi 84 Maximus is a re-badged version of the Perkins 103-06, itself originally imported from a Japanese company called Ishikawajima Shibaura Machinery. Perkins marketed…
How to clean a carburettor: Our expert’s view on ultrasonic cleaners
Paul Carey writes: “In recent issues of Practical Boat Owner there has been some discussion on the problems of stale petrol clogging up or leading to poor performance of outboard…
Does impeller orientation really matter? Ask the experts
Chris Mardon writes: “I was always told that when replacing the impeller on my diesel engine raw water pump I should make sure the blades were folded in the swept…
Smoking boat engine? Our expert explains what could be wrong
Gunter Bock from Norway writes: “I read in PBO’s November 2021 issue about exhaust elbow problems. You recommended replacing the reader’s damaged iron elbow with a new one in stainless…
How to replace Volvo Penta shaft seals: A step-by-step guide
As the launch cradle dropped us in, Bruce called out his usual, “All OK?” before disconnecting us from the slings. We’d splashed our Beneteau 381 after a lift and antifoul…
Why does boat engine oil need changing? What if we didn’t change it?
Why do we change our boat engine oil? A seemingly innocuous question I was asked a few months ago. Because we do? Because it’s dirty? Because the handbook says so?…
Boat propulsion explained: What are the alternatives to diesel inboard engines?
Rarely do we get to choose how our boats are powered. The usual scheme of things is we choose a boat on a myriad of parameters, of which one is…
Replace or rebuild? How to tell if your old boat engine is salvageable
Most of us will know someone – and may have been that someone ourselves – with a rusty, rattly, oily or smoking marine diesel engine. The sort of old boat…
Why does my Volvo Penta engine lack revs under load? Ask the experts
Simon Mitchell from Essex writes: “I have a Volvo Penta 2003T with 950 hours running time. It starts perfectly and runs smoothly. There is no oil or water consumption and…
Boat toilet troubleshooting: How to service a Jabsco toilet pump
Most modern mass produced yachts are fitted with Jabsco hand pumped boat toilets. They are cheap, simple and robust and can put up with a lot of abuse. On the…
Volvo saildrive seal replacement: How often do you need to do it?
Simon Johnson asks: “I’m planning to sail my boat Zeno back to Britain from Corfu next spring and as the Volvo Penta 130S saildrive seal was due to be changed…
What’s the best boat fuel? Is it worth paying for premium? Ask the experts
PBO reader Roy Gwilliam asks: “I have a Yanmar 3YM20 engine in my Dehler 32, built in 2010. I generally use red diesel with the belief that it does not…
Dispose or polish? What to do with old diesel – Ask the experts
PBO reader Martyn Crossland asks: “I have a 1989 Beneteau Oceanis 320 that I bought in Greece in 2009. I spent two months restoring her, and then had two months…
Common rail diesel engines explained: Should I install one on my boat?
Common rail diesel engines have been used in boats and trains since the 1940s, and were given more development for road vehicles in the late 1960s. However, not many smaller…
Cloudy diesel: What is making my fuel turn more orange than usual?
The red diesel in the bowl of my primary filter looks cloudy and has a more orange colour than normal. There is no sign of water in the bowl. I…