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Online Articles by , Marine Surveyor



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Hurricane Preparations
Unsafe & protected area from a passing hurricane

Finding Refuge from Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Storm Dynamics - Coastline Orientation - Wind Directions - Finding a Hurricane Hole - The West Side - The Eye - Fetch - Timing - Choosing a Primary Site - A Dinghy Helps - Risks of Going Ashore Entire Article

Desolation of the Aftermath - Hurricane Andrew

Hurricane Season 1999

It is that time of year again, a time we all really don't want to think much about because it means some extra work for us.

The good news is that if you've been through this drill once before, you've already got the hard part out of the way because you will have already purchased the necessary things you need, will already have your hurricane plan fairly well thought out. Entire article.

Hull Blisters
Failed repair - Possibly bottom paint over wet barrier coat

Blister Repairs Part II

Reading the magazines and surfing around the web, you probably get the impression, as I have, that the blister problem is abating.

But taking a tour of the boat yards  I come away with an altogether different impression: the problem is now worse than ever. Much worse.

And so is the problem with the failure of repair efforts. Entire Article

Blister fluid after 2 weeks of air drying

My Wet Hull Won't Dry

The 8 Grand Conundrum

People with boats undergoing blister repairs often write us to say, "My boat has been drying out for six months now, and it still will not dry. The moisture meter readings are still as high as ever." Entire Article

Maintenance, Repairs

Diesel Maintenance, Or Lack of It

Our survey customers often ask us about how they should perform diesel maintenance. This is a very easy question to answer. Entire Article

Maintaining Stern Drives

If you own a stern drive boat, it's well worth the effort to pay attention to their condition by inspecting them frequently, and taking care of small problems before they become big, costly problems. Entire Article

Boat Reviews
Hatteras 45 Convertible

Hatteras 45 Convertible
1984

Now 14 years old, this boat is a great example of what a good quality product is all about. Originally a half-million dollar boat, it is selling a decade and a half later for half its original price. Not bad, not bad. 

And for those of you who wonder about how Hatteras stacks up against others in terms of quality, let me just say that this is not a top end yacht. Entie Article

Legacy 34 Express

Legacy 34 Express

Back to the Future: A Contemporary Journey into Traditional Design

Many of the younger generations have already been through two or three modern style boats and have found themselves displeased with both quality and performance.

It is for that reason that interest in more traditional styles of boat building is growing, for after one has been through a few Carvers, Sea Rays, Cruisers, Inc., et. al. one is apt to be inclined to expand his horizons in search of something a bit better, most particularly in terms of all-around performance. Entire Article



Good to be Ready
Safe Harbor


Restoration Projects
Restoring Old Boats: Fundamentals of Restoration Projects


Marlyn Monroe - Bertram 42 Convertible
Making an Old Boat New


Firt Time Boat Buyers
Your First Boat: Part I

"By far, the most frequently asked question we get in our emails is the one by first time boat buyers asking about what brand they should buy.



Boat Handling


Docking in Style with Twin Screw Boats


Boat Safety at Sea

Small Boat Safety at Sea - Part I

Outboard Boats

Boat Safety at Sea - Part II

Intermediate Size Sport Fishermen and Cruisers


Rough Water Seamanship
squall line moving on shore

Rough Water Seamanship - Part III

Getting Caught in Thunder Storms



Buying a Boat
20 year old 42 Bertram with heavy, solid fiberglass laminates

The Pros and Cons of Space Age Materials in Boat Building.  What it Means for the Consumer.

The boat building industry has entered an unprecedented period of experimentation of new materials for use in the fabrication of what were once called fiberglass hulls.

Those of us who have been around the boat building scene for a while have seen a lot of new ideas and materials come and go over the years. Entire Article.

Boat Buying 101: Used Boats
The Issues You Face and How to Deal With Them

You've spent months, possibly even years researching the ideal boat you want to buy. You finally reach the big day when you have found it, have made an offer, and it has been accepted.

The boat has gone to survey, which is now complete, and the survey report is now in hand. Just one problem: Despite the fact that the boat looked great  before you made the offer, the survey didn't quite confirm your expectations. Entire Article

Marine Surveyor Related

Let start with the point that most independent surveyors I know are no longer in the business of performing prepurchase surveys on wooden boats and the reason is simple.

Surveyors have learned the hard way that surveying wood boats is very difficult and fraught with risks. Read Entire Article.

Sinking of Party Fishing Vessel "EL TORO II"
An Independent Review of the Coast Guard Investigation Report

The EL TORO is a story of particular interest to marine surveyors that reveals some hard-learned lessons. Entire Article.

Core and Structural Issues
A major laminating error

Core Materials

The roots of fiberglass boat building go all the way back to the 1930's when, so far as I know, the first reinforced plastic boat was built by Gar Wood in 1936.

Were it not for the Depression and W.W.II, production fiberglass boat building probably would have been initiated in the 1940's but, as it was, really began in earnest in 1960 with the pioneers of fiberglass boat building, Bertram, Hatteras and Hinckley. Entire Article


Browse more articles by topics.

Mid Size Power Boats Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats Marine Investigations


Online Articles

Some Topics (from Over 180 Articles)


Jump to Some Boat Reviews

Accessibility

Boat, Yacht Purchase

What You Should Know about Buying a Boat, to Keep the Pleasure in Pleasure Boating

Boat Buying 101: Used Boats - The Issues You Face and How to Deal With Them

Boat Leaks Boat Sinking Boat Safety at Sea Boat Handling Cored Hull Corrosion Design & Construction Faults

The Space Shuttle Goes to Sea

Gas or Diesel Insurance Issues
All Topics

Some of Boat Reviews



The Last Re,mamts the Old Florida Keys
Florida Keys

The Last Remnants of the Old Florida Keys

Books


Boat Buyers' Guide Books


Mid Size Power Boats

30 to 55 feet Cruiser Class
How to Avoid Buying into Unexpected Problems

"Mid Size Power Boats" focuses exclusively on cruiser class power boats: Expresses, trawlers, motor yachts, multi purpose types, sport fishermen and sedan cruisers.


Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats

Choosing Outboard Boats for Offshore Boating


"Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats" is totally dedicated to blue water type outboard boats; boats that are sea worthy for heading out into open water, offshore.


Marine Survey Business


Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats

2nd Edition
The Marine Survey Business

"Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats"(2E) provides a foundation of essentials for anyone who wants to begin a marine surveying career, or just hone up on one's skills and knowledge.


Marine Investigations

Investigations to Court Testimony
Road to a Marine Investigator

"Marine Investigations" is the first and only book of its kind on the subject of investigating pleasure craft casualties and other issues. Surveyors: Expand your marine business! Conducting marine investigations can help free you from the limitations of a seasonal business and expand your business opportunities and income.


Blackfin 27 Outboard
A Few Favorites


Wishful Thinking...