March 2019 Newsletter
Text and photos by Steve D’Antonio © 2019
Photo Essay: Shore Power, are Fuses OK?
Over-current protection is among the most important features of any vessel’s electrical...
November 2023 Newsletter – Through Deck Fasteners
Photo Essay: Through Deck Fittings
Properly securing deck hardware can present a variety of challenges. Cored composite decks represent perhaps the greatest challenge; the core...
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,...
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...
July 2017 Newsletter
Text and photos by Steve D'Antonio Copyright © 2017
Photo Essay: Direct-Bearing Terminals
Shipboard electrical connections face a host of challenges, vibration, stress, extremes of temperature, and humidity or...
June 2023 Newsletter: Fuel Tank (no) Support
Photo Essay: Fuel Tank (no) Support
Structural failures of fuel tanks are nearly always traceable to either installation or construction flaws, with the former being...
June 2016 Newsletter
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...
June 2024 Newsletter – There’s Bronze and there’s Bronze
Photo Essay: There’s Bronze and there’s Bronze
Bronze, an alloy made from copper and tin, has long been used for raw water components aboard recreational,...
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...
May 2018 Newsletter
Photo Essay: Chafe
It’s the bane of every seagoing vessel, taking its toll on everything from dock lines and wiring to sails and hoses. Every...








