April 2016 Newsletter
Text and photos copyright © SDMC, Inc. 2016
Photo Essay While it may be cliché, the first words that come to mind when I see this image...
June 2021 Newsletter “AC Ground Wire Sizing”
From the Masthead
Let me begin by apologizing to Marine Systems Excellence readers for our hiatus. As most boat owners, and virtually anyone who is...
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,...
December 2016 Newsletter
Text and photos by Steve D’Antonio Copyright © 2016
Photo Essay: The Hazards of Hose Clamps The opportunity for injury aboard any vessel, cruising, commercial, power or sail, is...
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...
September 2022 Newsletter “Generator AC Wiring”
Photo Essay: Generator AC Wiring
Of all the defects I encounter on generator installations, poor wire routing and support are among the most common. Generators...
Charging Start Batteries and Battery Testing
Steve, I have a 26' center console, 2 jet skis, a 13' whaler and the 58. Additionally I have two hoists that are battery powered with solar chargers. Basically,...
September 2018 Newsletter – Means of Reboarding
Photo Essay: Means of Reboarding
“If you fall overboard, there’s no way to re-board the vessel without assistance”. I uttered those words just last week,...
September 2023 Newsletter: Start Battery Installation
Photo Essay: Battery Installation It’s an all-too-common occurrence; while conducting an inspection I reach the area where batteries (often for starting but occasionally house as...
October 2019 Newsletter
Photo Essay: Emergency Tiller Use
During a recent vessel inspection, I asked the owner of the vessel if he’d ever tested the emergency manual tiller,...






