Ask Steve

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: Steering Gear Wear Steering gear falls into the category of a ‘key system’.  Without it you are not only dead in the water,...

Hi Steve, I will try to be as concise as possible. I have a 1997 32' Nordic Tug, Invictus. I moor my boat year round in...

Hello Steve, Long-time fan, first time asking. I need to replace the clear fuel level indication hoses (sight gauges) on my 350 gallon diesel fuel...

Photo Essay: Core Exposure Virtually every fiberglass vessel afloat today, even those that boast of solid fiberglass hulls rely on core material to add stiffness...

The Q&A posed below is in reference to a previous post to the Marine Systems Excellence E-zine, The Good Samaritan at Sea, published April...

Text and photos © 2019 Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc. Photo Essay: Hydraulic Steering Relief Valve Hydraulic steering systems are ubiquitous, they are found on everything...

Copyright © 2014 SDMC Inc.   Steve, I have read your articles in Cruising World for years and have found them very informative. Recently I notice that the...

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...

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...