Ask Steve

  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...

                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     Life Cell, a Better Ditch Kit   Ditch bags are an invaluable accessory no blue water passagemaking vessel should be without.  They are also nothing...

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 by Steve D’Antonio Copyright © 2017 From the Masthead Taiwan Has Ruined Me I travel to many parts of the world for my work, domestically as well...

Photo Essay: Livewell Pump Installation Raw water plumbing fittings, particularly those below the waterline, must be rugged and reliable.  ABYC Standards dictate that, “A seacock...

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...

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...

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...

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,...