This blog is all about what is making the news in the fishing and boating world. It is current and relevant and also has useful and practical boating information. Keep up to date with the marine electrical and electronics web log, the most current marine blog on the net!
The Fishing Boats and Cruising Yachts Blog is designed as a practical, technically grounded resource for mariners who rely on accurate information and real‑world experience. Every article is written with the working skipper in mind, whether operating a coastal fishing vessel, a trailerable runabout, or a fully equipped bluewater cruising yacht. The focus is on clarity, precision, and operational value. The blog supports owners, skippers, and crew who need dependable guidance for vessel maintenance, voyage preparation, and safe seamanship.
This platform has grown into a reference point for those who prefer methodical explanations over general commentary. Each post is structured to deliver actionable detail, supported by diagrams, checklists, and stepwise procedures. The aim is to help mariners make informed decisions, improve vessel reliability, and strengthen onboard safety. The blog’s content reflects real conditions encountered at sea, in marinas, and at remote anchorages, ensuring that every topic is grounded in practical application
A core component of the blog is its library of technical tutorials. These articles cover vessel systems in depth, including electrical distribution, battery management, charging systems, fuel filtration, steering gear, and anchoring equipment. Topics such as anchor winch installation, solar array configuration, alternator upgrades, and navigation electronics integration are explained with clear procedural steps. Measurements, torque values, cable sizing, and component specifications are included wherever relevant.
Troubleshooting guides form another major section. These guides are written to help skippers diagnose faults logically, beginning with symptom identification and progressing through isolation tests and corrective actions. Common issues such as intermittent depth sounder readings, battery voltage drop, fuel starvation, overheating, and autopilot drift are addressed with structured diagnostic flowcharts. Printable checklists accompany many of these posts, allowing skippers to work through problems systematically without guesswork.
Need boat systems help? Buy a copy of my book The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible, 4th Edition. US based boats can get the US Edition Here. You can also order through Amazon. In Australia order a copy through Boat Books. UK based boats can Order Here. Marine systems are my profession so let me help you.
Provisioning guidance is tailored to specific regions and operational profiles. Coastal fishing vessels often require rapid‑turnaround provisioning with emphasis on ice management, fuel planning, and gear redundancy. Cruising yachts, particularly those undertaking offshore passages, need detailed provisioning strategies covering water generation, long‑life food storage, spare parts, medical supplies, and emergency rations.
The blog provides region‑specific provisioning notes for areas such as the Azores, Cape Verde, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and selected Atlantic and Indian Ocean ports. These notes include availability of fresh produce, fuel quality, water purity, chandlery stock levels, and local supply chain reliability. Where relevant, articles also highlight customs requirements, quarantine restrictions, and port entry protocols that may affect provisioning plans.
Anchorage reviews are written with operational detail rather than tourism commentary. Each review includes depth ranges in metres, seabed composition, holding characteristics, swell exposure, wind funneling effects, and nearby hazards. Tidal information is provided where significant, including range, timing, and current behaviour at the anchorage entrance. Notes on local traffic patterns, fishing activity, and seasonal weather influences help skippers plan safe arrivals and departures.
Approach descriptions are factual and concise. They outline recommended approach bearings, safe water sectors, charted obstructions, and any visual transits that assist with navigation. Where anchorages require timing with tide gates or slack water, this is stated clearly. These reviews are intended to support skippers who prefer reliable, technical information rather than generalised descriptions.
The blog includes evaluations of marine equipment used on both fishing vessels and cruising yachts. These evaluations focus on operational performance, durability, maintenance requirements, and compatibility with common vessel configurations. Topics include anchor types, windlasses, solar panels, charge controllers, refrigeration units, deck hardware, and safety equipment.
Supplier benchmarking is incorporated into many gear reviews. This includes comparative notes on reliability, warranty support, component quality, and long‑term serviceability. The aim is not to promote brands but to provide skippers with factual information that assists in selecting equipment suited to their vessel’s operational profile.
Many skippers require guidance on regulatory compliance, insurance protocols, and operational documentation. The blog addresses these areas with practical explanations of survey requirements, safety equipment standards, radio licensing, EPIRB registration, and vessel documentation. Articles also outline insurance considerations such as risk assessment, claim procedures, and maintenance record‑keeping.
Operational workflows are covered in detail. These include pre‑departure checklists, watch‑keeping routines, emergency drills, and maintenance scheduling. The objective is to help skippers establish consistent onboard practices that improve safety and reduce downtime.
All about Caribbean yacht provisioning and eating in the Caribbean islands and where to source the best food
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battery for a boat selection and installation and all you need to know
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cooking on a yacht and how to plan, cook and source food when cruising
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About living on a boat and all about the challenges and skills required to have a successful life afloat
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starts and runs perfect, after warmed up turn it off come back 15 minutes later and wont start if i turn it over for 20 to 30 seconds it will eventually
When you put on neutral voltage drops down and you can hear flywheel spinning, when you put in gear voltage comes back up to normal and no flywheel noise
Engine won’t run faster than 4000rpm. #1 injector unplugged rpm barely drops. #4 unplugged is same as dead cylinder. Swap coil position, stayed the same.
Have had this outboard for 6 years now and it has been plagued with gas issues, even though it has been used sparingly, to say the least. HP fuel pump,
I just pulled my 2011 Cobalt 230 out of storage and had to replace both batteries. Boat has a volvo penta drive with the 5.0 GXI engine. Upon starting,
Engine starts and idles fine. Misses, coughs, and increased smoke when accelerating or increasing and holding throttle above idle. Carb replaced, fuel
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When I run the motor with ears and hose it runs good or when I put the foot a barrel of water runs good. When I take it on the St Laurence sea way salt
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I purchased a pontoon with a Honda bf75a. The only way I can get it to crank is to spray gas straight into all the carbs. I have set the timing, checked
Boat maintenance and troubleshooting how to keep charging and starting your engine
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Marine electrical systems for yachts and sailboats, from the author of the Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible
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lighting for boat and all about lighting equipment in boats, all you need to know about lighting options and LED lighting
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The best sailing yacht charters start with deciding where in paradise you want to go.
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Sail handling, from deck winches to self tailing winches
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Sailboat Anchoring information on installation and troubleshooting
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The boating blog for fishing and sailing, with all the latest boating news and information
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Outboard boat motors and how to troubleshoot a Mercury, Evinrude or a Yamaha. If you have problems then you can start here and find solutions
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Mariner outboard Forum with answers to questions about problems by outboard owners
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About VHF Radio Channels and the latest changes. All of the important and useful worldwide weather broadcast channels and broadcast times
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Volvo Penta Engine Forum for engine problem solving and answers by engine owners. I am a Volvo diesel engine owner myself so all posts are welcome
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Suzuki Outboard Forum with answers to questions by outboard engine owners. If you have a problem the chances are some other Suzuki owner has a solution
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The best boat forum for marine electrics and marine electronics for technical advice and answers.
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Johnson Outboard Forum and all about Johnson outboard engine problems by owners. Get answers from fellow Johnson outboard owners and solve your problems
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Evinrude outboard forum for answers to questions about problems by other Evinrude owners. Other owners will probably have the same problems, so ask them
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Mercury Outboard Forum for Mercury Outboard problems and answers by Mercury outboard owners. Need answers why not ask all the other Mercury outboard owners
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Yamaha Outboard Forum with questions and answers by outboard owners
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Fishing boats and cruising yachts practical advice by book author John C Payne and The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible, the complete DIY systems guide
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Best marine radio for boat radio communications and marine electronics for fishing boats and sailing yachts offshore