Sound Advice

Winterizing is one of the most import ant services your boat and engine requires in these northern climates;the consequences of being unprepared can be costly in both time and money should your boat be affected by a freeze.However, a spell ...

In the Pacific Northwest the dampness of the winter season impacts everything on a boat.In our opinion, taking a few steps to protect the interior of your boat is almost as important as the mechanical end of it. For instance, preventing mol...

Points to consider in maintaining your investment.No one likes to spend money when they don’t have to, especially in today’s tough economic times. So when it comes to maintaining your boat and engine the question I get asked most freque...

Listed below are the 5 most common problems we find on pleasure craft with suggestions on how to prevent them.1. Water in the Fuel SystemThe engine cranks over but will not start!This is a phone call we frequently get, which usually means t...

Oil TerminologySynthetic OilA lubricant consisting of chemical compounds which are artificially made (synthesized) using chemically modified petroleum components rather than whole crude oil. Synthetic oil is used as a substitute for lubrica...

Our observation is that many boaters don’t know the value or benefits of having a trim tab system on their boat and don’t know how to work them properly, so we thought we'd write about the basics of trim tabs.Trim tabs consist of two ad...

Repowering boats that have stern drives - with outboard engines - is becoming a popular option these days, especially with the advances in outboard engine technology.We are excited to write this article as this opens up options you may be i...

Making the right choiceWith the cost of new boats today and the rising cost of boating, the question often comes up whether to repower an existing boat or to purchase a new boat. Marine engine technology has advanced significantly in the pa...

We are constantly reading & researching the latest information on all things marine as it relates to our business.We recently came across this article in Boating Magazine , written by Mick Hannock. It is informative, worth sharing &am...

All marine engines have water cooled manifolds.In our opinion, exhaust manifold failure is the #1 killer of marine stern drive and inboard engines. Manifolds and mixing elbows that are sea water cooled can last about 7 years when the boat ...

For your convenience, we have put together a list of fuel docks in the Vancouver Area & the Sunshine Coast, BC.These are listed alphabetically by region and then by the dock name.You may want to call ahead to confirm times of operation....

There is nothing quite as relaxing as gunk holing your way around the West Coast, waking up in the morning to the sound of waves lapping on the hull, birds singing but … Wait! Is that your cell phone ringing?!A couple of weekends ago we b...

There is no end of have-to-do’s, want-to-do’s, need-to-do’s on a boat;it seems every year we say “we’ve got to get this or that done by next spring”, then we put the boat away for the winter - without a plan - and forget about i...

Maybe we’re a tad biased, but we cannot imagine life without boats and the ocean.Boating is one of the best ways to bond with family and to have fun and relax. The memories made will be told and retold at family events for years afterward...

Most boaters have had the unfortunate experience of a broken down head.Ours involved a boat full of grandparents, kids.. and well, you get the picture.  Get to know where the fuse to your macerator is located. Ask your service technician d...

How to Make Sure You Leave the Dock!Imagine you are at the dock with your family, ready to leave for that long awaited weekend away, and something is wrong with the boat! Now what?! With a little preplanning you can avoid most common proble...

In a recent conversation with some boating friends, we were discussing how we would handle an onboard emergency.Specifically, was the skipper's partner skilled enough to deal with whatever was going on? Usually, this means “the wife”, b...

PFD’s are a comfortable way of protecting yourself and your loved ones’ lives;but when used improperly they will be of no help at all when needed the most. Below are some simple things you can do to assure your PFD’s are always in wor...

Or... Surviving The Season!t’s always a good idea to go over the safety equipment on your boat and make sure you have the Canadian Coast Guard requirements. Do you know, there are ways you can save money and still be within regulation? Be...

Confined areas like boat cabins are prone to mold and mildew if left without adequate air circulation.The best way to fight mold and mildew onboard is to keep it from ever starting in the first place. Prevention is your best defense. We ha...

Every boat should have a basic mechanic's tool kit. We recommend that the kit should include the following items: TOOLS   Socket set - 3/8 drive (3/8" - 13/16") Wire cutters/strippers Open and box wrenches (3/16" - 1") DC test ligh...