Ask Steve

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...

Text and photos © 2022 Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. Photo Essay: Cord-Grips Electrical issues represent by far the most common problem faced by vessel operators. ...

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...

Text and photos copyright © SDMC, Inc. 2016 Ask Steve: June 2016 Steve, Thanks for the fire extinguisher comments.  Safety is a passion of mine and 18 months...

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...

Hi Steve I have a pair of Cat 3208, 1984, 300hp engines in my Jersey 40. They are well cared for and I pulled...

Text and photos © 2020 Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. Photo Essay: Please Remove Your Shoes… It’s a veritable right of passage for those working on...

Photo Essay: Not a Cord Grip These are small, inexpensive, and readily available parts, and they are critically important; without them the worst-case result can...

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...

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,...