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...
When to Adjust Valves
Steve: I have a question about adjusting the valves on my engine. If the engine is running smoothly and there is no smoke or slick...
May 2017 Newsletter
Photo Essay: Steering Component Inspection
Text and photos by Steve D’Antonio Copyright © 2017 Steering represents one of the most important systems aboard, at least equal to propulsion, electrical and...
March 2016 Newsletter
Photo Essay
Life Cell, a Better Ditch Kit
Ditch bags are an invaluable accessory no blue water passagemaking vessel should be without. They are also nothing...
Ask Steve: Electric Tea Kettles, Fire, and AC Electricity
Ask Steve: Electric Tea Kettles, Fire, and AC Electricity By Steve D'Antonio
Photos by Steve D'Antonio On boats with both a powerful inverter and a generator on...
A Tale of Two Messages
Text and Photos By Steve D'Antonio Copyright June 2014
From the Editor
Earlier this month I shared with subscribers my decision to resign my position as Technical Editor...
June 2025 Newsletter – Fan Belt Shedding
Photo Essay: Fan Belt Shedding
Fan belts fulfill a vital role for engines; they transfer energy from the crankshaft pulley to other vital components and...
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,...
June 2017 Newsletter
Text and photos by Steve D’Antonio Copyright © 2017
Photo Essay: Battery Lugs
Reliably connecting batteries to their associated cables sounds easy. In practice, however, it can be fraught...
April 2018 Newsletter
Photo Essay: Below the Waterline Welded Stainless Steel; Does it Make Sense?
I’ve written about stainless steel; its strengths and weaknesses, on many occasions, in the...









