It was time to service the marine diesel engine on our Maxi 84 cruiser. Knowing how to diagnose and fix engine faults is a useful skill for any boat owner,…
Expert Answers
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 an intercooled engine works
With an inter-cooled engine, the role of the seawater is to take away the heat from the freshwater. The seawater, or ‘raw water’, is a separate flow to the fresh…
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…
Propeller antifoul: Our expert’s top tips for sticking paint to a prop
Andy Peach writes: “What’s the best preparation and antifouling paint to use on a propeller and P-bracket? “I’d heard that lanolin was worth a try but when I lifted the…
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…
Is it worth re-activating copper antifoul? Ask the experts
Brian Williams writes: “I read with great interest the article on different antifouling treatments in the May 2021 edition of PBO. “Based at Suffolk Yacht Harbour I had Coppercoat professionally…
What is an in-hull transducer?
On our PBO Project Boat Maximus we need sonar simply for measuring depth, but the advanced electronics of fish finders and forward-looking sonar can show shoals of fish and give…
What is NMEA 2000, SeaTalk 2, STng, Simnet and other systems?
NMEA 2000 uses the CAN (control area network) designed originally for the automotive market, but adapted for the marine industry. The older version, NMEA 0183, allowed a GPS or chartplotter…
Joining chain links: Our expert explains the safest way to extend your anchor chain
Rod Stuart writes: “What is the safest way to join two equal galvanised chain links (I don’t just mean for going through the windlass)? A fat shackle or one of…
What is an undefaced ensign? And why does it matter? Ask the experts
Tjalling Halbertsma from Bergen, North Holland writes: “I sail a 28ft flat-bottomed Vollenhovense Bol, built in steel and a fine ship for the Waddenzee in the Netherlands with a draught…
Is my antifoul incompatible with my basecoat? Ask the experts
Mike Stanton from the Isle of Man writes: “I wonder if you could help with a suspected incompatible antifoul issue on my 2011 Beneteau First 40 which I race and cruise…
What’s the best trailer sailer for the Mediterranean? Ask the experts
Keith Mackie writes: “After 15 years working for the AA and RAC I achieved my RYA Level 2 powerboat handling certificate. “I was aiming to go for Competent Crew next…
Which paint for antifouling a bronze bracket? Ask the experts
Maureen Owens from Gosport asks: “The bronze prop shaft bracket on my boat regularly seems to foul up but I’m unsure what to use to coat it with antifouling. “Am…
Do you know your rudders?
Do you know rudders? Boatyards are a great place to get to know different types of keels, rudders and other underwater fittings. When Ben Sutcliffe-Davies came down to Chichester to…
Are folding or feathering propellers worth the extra cost? Ask the experts
Nicko Williams asks: “I wonder what your views are on folding versus feathering boat propellers. “My Jeanneau 379 carries a three-bladed prop which does its job perfectly satisfactorily but it…
Do I need to re-apply antifouling after a long lay-up? Ask the experts
PBO reader Ian Rice asks: “Do I need a barrier or primer coat before reapplying the same make and type of antifouling? “For many years I’ve used International 350 self-polishing…
Which electric sailboat outboard motor is best for a 17fter? Ask the experts
Philip Hodson of Newmarket, Suffolk writes: “For years I have been powering my 17ft, 1972 Lysander yacht Maywing with a stalwart British Seagull 6hp Kingfisher outboard motor. “But now, having…
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…