Ask Steve

Photo Essay: Lifeline Corrosion While plastic coated wire lifelines are a ubiquitous aspect of small boat safety, they aren’t without their shortcomings.  Long ago, while...

Text and photos © 2019 Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. Photo Essay: Field-Made Bus Bars Bus bars (it’s not spelled ‘buss’, the likely confusion arises from...

Text and photos by Steve D’Antonio Copyright © 2016 From the Masthead I want to hear your thoughts... Customer care, it's a subject about which every boat owner is concerned,...

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...

Photo Essay: Generator Enclosure Chafe Protection Text and photos by Steve D'Antonio Copyright © 2016 When I carry out a vessel inspection, wiring security and the potential for chafe is...

Text and photos © 2019 Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. Photo Essay: Anchor Rode Cut-Away Lines Other than for inspections or testing, it’s a part of...

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...

Copyright © 2016 Ask Steve: July 2016 Steve, I just bought an Ocean Alexander 42 Sedan with CAT 3208s in it.  They do not have air cleaner filters, just...

                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...

Photo Essay: Shaft Coupling Fasteners The average small vessel may have anywhere from hundreds to several thousand, fasteners aboard, used in everything from joinerwork to...