The Rudimentaries of Rudders
Like other systems and gear aboard cruising and commercial vessels, rudders have terms to identify their parts and functions. When measuring a rudder, the span and chord are the vertical… Read more »
Author: Steve D'Antonio
Diesel Fuel Additives, Part 2: Lubricity Facts and Fictions
Lately, there’s been a lot of publicity, some would say hype, about diesel fuel’s lubricity—its slipperiness component. Worry about the decrease in sulfur mandated for on-road diesel, which began in… Read more »
Diesel Fuel Additives, Part 1: Myths, Facts, Warranties, and Water
Myth vs. Fact As I strolled around a major boat show recently, I tallied the number of fuel additives I encountered. I stopped at 22, a number that makes a… Read more »
Clearing the Air: The Case for and Against Dry Exhaust
While dry exhaust systems are utilized in many commercial maritime applications, they are found on only a small number of recreational vessels. Nevertheless, the debate over the advantages and disadvantages… Read more »
Viking Life-Saving Equipment
On a recent passage along Norway’s fjord-strewn coast, I visited a research, development, and manufacturing facility belonging to the well-known life raft manufacturer Viking. Its full name, Viking Life-Saving Equipment,… Read more »
Making Reliable Solder-Free Connections
Let me begin by debunking a common myth. It’s not necessary to solder a solderless crimp terminal. For more than 70 years, solderless terminals have been used on everything— from… Read more »
Antisiphon Valves
As a small boy, I clearly recall the first time I witnessed a siphon in action. A neighbor needed to pump out a boat that was stored on land. He… Read more »
From Ball Bearings to Sterndrives: Tracing History in the Volvo Name
In Professional BoatBuilder I wrote about a site visit to marine engine manufacturer Volvo Penta’s on-water test facility in Krossholmen, Sweden (see “Euro Vision” in issue No. 167). Though a… Read more »
The Many Weaknesses of Raw-Water Check Valves
Check valves are designed to prevent water flowing in one direction while moving somewhat freely in the other direction. These valves are found in many onboard systems, including sanitation systems,… Read more »
The Infinitely Useful Infrared Pyrometer
As a former marine mechanic and electrician, and now a consultant who carries out dozens of vessel inspections and sea trials every year, I can’t imagine life without an infrared… Read more »
