Don’t Be Alarmed and Sea Sense
Don't Be Alarmed Why engine and other systems alarms are invaluable by Steve D'Antonio Keeping track of what is going on with your vessel's vital systems is a crucial part...
Properly Breaking in your Generator and Why this is Important
For most users, little thought is given to properly breaking in a generator...
Stories about marine diesel engine longevity are legion and it seems to...
Paint and Aluminum – How to Ensure a Good Mix
Ensuring the Longevity of Paint When Applied Over Aluminum Components
April 2011 Military, commercial, scientific and a few recreational vessels built using aluminum alloy often utilize the un-painted approach, and...
Cruising Log of S/V Alchemy
Dear SDMC blog subscribers: What follows is a recent cruising log entry from SDMC Captains' Club members Dick and Ginger Stevenson, cruising aboard their Valiant...
All in a Day’s Work for a Chesapeake Pilot
The following monologue was written by a colleague of mine, a 30+ year veteran Chesapeake Bay Ship's Pilot. On two occasions I've had the pleasure of accompanying...
The Relationship between Battery Bank Size and Charge Capability
The Relationship Between Battery Bank Size and Charge Capability
The house battery bank is the electrical heart of most cruising vessels; it supplies all the...
Life Rafts Pt II
Life Raft Details Part II
Make certain you understand how life raft security and deployment mechanisms are designed to work, don't assume they've been properly rigged. ...
Life Rafts Pt I
Recently, an SDMC consulting client who is in the process of having a 68-foot cruising vessel built, contacted me. He posed several important questions regarding...
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
After receiving the following letter from a consulting client a discussion on the subject of CO poisoning seemed in order. Steve, After recalling reading something on...
Oil Change Fundamentals
A Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting client recently sent me an e mail inquiring about the proper procedures for an oil change. She didn’t have...