February 2025 Newsletter – Plumbing Bonding Technique
Photo Essay: Plumbing Bonding Technique
As I carry out inspections, one of the issues I frequently encounter involves bonding or grounding (there is a difference,...
July 2025 Newsletter – Risers and Siphon-Breaks
Photo Essay: The Perils of an Unvented Loop
Vented loops, also known as anti-siphon valves or siphon-breaks, have served mariners for many years. Their mission...
Ask Steve – October 2014
Hi Steve, You often see shore cords in the water for a few feet between the pedestal and the boat. Sometimes it is difficult...
April 2023 Newsletter: Fuel Filter “Seaweed”
Photo Essay: Fuel Filter "Seaweed"
Primary fuel filters are the first line of defense against a range of contaminants including sediment, asphaltene, and water. Most...
Ask Steve – January 2014
Hello Steve, We are in the planning stages for our next sail boat. It will be a new off-shore mono haul, 54-60 LOA (Oyster /...
March 2017 Newsletter
Photo Essay: Core Exposure Virtually every fiberglass vessel afloat today, even those that boast of solid fiberglass hulls rely on core material to add stiffness...
July 2023 Newsletter: Steering Gear Wear
Photo Essay: Steering Gear Wear
Steering gear falls into the category of a ‘key system’. Without it you are not only dead in the water,...
July 2022 Newsletter “Closed Cooling System Hose Failure”
Photo Essay: Closed Cooling System Hose Failure
While both must be reliable and robust, hoses used for conveying coolant (often incorrectly referred to as anti-freeze)...
Ask Steve: PVC Plumbing, Low Hour Engine Maintenance, Solar Panel Fire
Ask Steve: PVC Plumbing, Low Hour Engine Maintenance, Solar Panel Fire By Steve D'Antonio Photos by Steve D'Antonio and except where noted Steve D'Antonio
This PVC "pool" valve...
September 2017 Newsletter
Text and photos by Steve D'Antonio
Photo Essay: (Not) Painting Aluminum
It’s a phenomenon I encounter on a near-weekly basis; virtually every vessel I’m aboard suffers,...







