Fire prevention on boats – common causes of fire:
• Smoking below decks
• Galley cookers
• Build-up of butane or propane gas in the bilges
• Faulty wiring
• Petrol/gasoline vapour in engine bay
• Flammable paints and solvents
Fire onboard a boat – fire prevention tips:
• No Smoking below decks
• Butane and propane gases are heavier than air and leaks will result in a build up of gas in the bilges. To clear gas, open hatches, head downwind to allow fresh air into cabin areas and pump the bilges
• Keep gas valves turned off at the bottle and cooker when not in use
• Fit gas and smoke detectors
• Regularly check butane and propane gas fittings and tubing for leaks
• Keep butane and propane gas bottles in cockpit lockers which drain overboard
• Stow all flammable liquids in well secured, upright containers in lockers that vent outboard
• Never leave naked cooker flames and frying pans unattended
• Always vent engine bays before starting inboard engines
• Have the wiring checked regularly
All crew should know the location of fire extinguishers and fire blankets on board and know how to operate them.
(info. from Safe Skipper app for iPhone, iPad & Android)
Boat electrics inspection checklist
With the boat ashore, here are some recommendations for carrying out a boat owner electrics inspection. Safety is always paramount so remember to do the checks with the batteries off. Wearing a head torch helps, make notes as you go and only tackle a repair if you are 100% sure you know what you are doing:
Wooden Hulls – Part 2
It is important to ensure the essential hull maintenance of a wooden boat is done, even if you are paying others to look after your boat for you. The priority is to prevent rot from taking hold. The protective layers of paint and varnish over wood are far more critical than on GRP boats, where the topsides are painted more for cosmetic reasons.
Boat Handling – anchoring
Boat interior varnishing
Most boat interiors have a combination of varnished and painted surfaces including solid wooden joinery, plywood laminates with thin hardwood veneers and glass reinforced plastic. When making your assessment of what you are going to do, bear in mind that the varnishing process consumes a lot of time, especially if the existing surfaces are in poor shape.
Common medical emergencies at sea
A medical emergency aboard a boat at sea requires immediate attention to ensure the safety of the casualty and the crew in general. The skipper needs to know which crew members, if any, have had medical training or have a first aid qualification. All boats should carry first aid handbooks to help an untrained crew cope with a medical emergency.
Diesel engine winterisation
An inactive boat engine needs to be protected from corrosion during the winter, caused by the rising humidity levels through the cold months and the salty coastal air. This applies whether the boat is left afloat or hauled out over the winter. Read here about the two important stages of winterisaton for a diesel boat engine.
Sail trimming for cruisers
Sail trimming tips for cruisers. Whether racing or cruising, a well tuned boat will sail faster and tend to heel less than a boat with badly adjusted sails.
Understanding tides
Electric motors and hybrid systems
In recent years there have been considerable advances with the development of electrically powered propulsion in the leisure marine sector. This includes developments with inboard and outboard electric motors, hybrid systems, lithium-ion battery technology as well as solar, wind and hydro powered generators.
Stern gear maintenance
The stern gear of a boat needs to be checked carefully when the boat is ashore as this is something that can only be done when it is out of the water. The same applies for any maintenance and repairs that may need doing, so it is best to check it all over as soon after an end of season lift out as possible.
Galvanic and electrolytic corrosion
Galvanic corrosion is an electrochemical reaction between two or more different metals, in the presence of an electrolyte (note salt water is a good electrolyte).
A simple guide to understanding tides when passage planning
Boating Rules of the Road – International ColRegs
Boat Engine Safety Checks
Boat decks and superstructure
The deck of a boat is constantly exposed to the elements and should be inspected on an annual basis. Particular attention needs to be given to the overall condition of deck fittings such as the stanchions, cleats and chainplates.
Rewiring a boat – overcoming the challenges involved
Skippers need to have a basic knowledge of boat electrics, to avoid potential problems and to be able to solve them when they happen.
Essential Knots: Clove hitch
Cutless bearing replacement
Cutless bearings can last for many years but if the propeller shaft is out of alignment they will wear through more quickly. If you have noticed a clunking sound when motoring then it could be a worn cutless bearing that is causing the problem.
Jester Challenge 2022 – Sailing single handed from Plymouth UK to the Azores: Part 4 – Navigation
Jester Challenge – A modern experiment in old-fashioned self-reliance, self sufficiency, and personal responsibility. This is the fourth of a 10-part post where solo sailor, Bernie Branfield, shares his first hand account of his single-handed, 2022 Jester Challenge, from Plymouth, UK to the Azores, in his 26′ Invicta Mk2, Louisa.
How to Avoid Collisions At Sea With The ColRegs
Passage Planning Advice & Safety for skippers
ColRegs Nav Lights & Shapes, Rules Of The Road and IALA Buoys Apps
Essential Yachting + Power Boat Safety Briefing
Boat ownership – some fundamentals
Owning a boat is a big commitment that should bring no end of satisfaction, but the costs of maintaining and keeping a boat are significant and should never be underestimated.