Wouldn’t it be great if you never had to wax your boat ever again?! Sounds too good to be true? As the early adopters of ceramic coating technology are finding out, it is kinda too good to be true. If something is kinda too good to be true, that also means that it is kind of true. When it comes to ceramic coatings, the “kinda” aspects relate to a universal truism: no matter what you apply to your boat, you still need to wash and maintain it.
Capt. Tyler Andresen using a 6” Festool sander with 60-grit sandpaper on the deck.
“I’m sanding my own teak to save the boss money,” says Capt. Andresen from the deck of the 78-foot Rybovich and Sons Persistence. For a captain new to the luxury of teak decks, a DIY attempt at sanding them without a little guidance and know-how can easily turn into a big mistake. If that happens, do what most uber sportfishing captains decide to do and grab your iPhone, search Yelp for a highly rated sub-contractor and continue on with your other boat duties.
(Photo/Joe Byrum)
Ask any marine insurance adjuster about trends in lightning claims on recreational fishing boats and you will get an earful. During a recent marine insurance seminar, I remarked that without even seeing the boat I could estimate a direct strike to a new 72-foot sportfish could cause more than $600,000 in damage.
This image demonstrates a simple fix to tightening a spreader bar stud.
Coastal Riggings President Brendon Ziemba, along with his brother Preston, have been specializing in outrigger installation, repair and maintenance for 25 years. Before watching Brendon get into his work, I had no idea an outrigger could be broken down into so many different parts. Watching them disassemble, service and reassemble a pair of 3-spreader outriggers was an education. While my intent here is to offer some quality advice on keeping your outriggers tuned, I don’t advise any of you to perform a full service yourself. There are too many intricacies and nuances to remember. Check out the video on our website, and I think you will agree.
Owning a boat is undoubtedly expensive and that last check you sign before driving your new boat home is just the tip of the iceberg. Budgets are in the eye of the beholder as operating costs can vary greatly depending on how many days, weeks or months the boat will be in use and also how extensive your travel or tournament participation will be.
Purchasing a 2008 boat in need of updates has its advantages. During a 10-month search to find such a boat was exactly what Michael Yocco and his father Joe accomplished.
“Our approach was to find a boat within a certain budget which included the purchase price and any upgrades we wanted. Then ask ourselves if the cost of refitting a boat is worth it based on the value post-refit,” Yocco says.
Photo: Jarrett Bay Boatworks
By Capt. Ken Kreisler
With apologies to Shakespeare and his melancholy Danish prince—neither of whom were ever boaters—this article is fittingly titled. A boatowner must consider many factors before commissioning a refit, and any refit must be carefully planned and coordinated.
Satisfied with your boat but find that it’s powered by an engine that no longer meets your needs? Unsure if you should rebuild your engine or repower your boat? Not sure which is the right choice for you? It’s important to work with a partner who is highly skilled in selecting the best solution for your unique situation.
REBUILD
A rebuild done by factory-trained technicians is the next best thing when a new engine is not the right solution for your boat. There are custom rebuild packages for mtu engines available that are based on your specific needs, giving you an overhauled engine that regains its original performance. Genuine mtu parts, along with full factory parts warranties of up to nine years (or time before overhaul), ensure that your rebuilt engine performs to its original specification.
REPOWER
Today’s modern engines supply more than just a performance boost. Quiet operation, no smoke, and industry leading power-to-weight ratios can make your old boat new again. It’s important to work with a highly qualified sales and engineering team to collaborate with you to determine your desired performance characteristics and ensure that the best solution for your boat is selected. Full factory warranties provided by mtu and Volvo Penta protect your investment, just like when your boat was brand new.
A PARTNER YOU CAN TRUST
Choosing a partner for your rebuild or repower project is just as important as choosing the right engine. With over 165 years combined experience of supplying power solutions to the marine industry, Johnson & Towers and Western Branch Diesel are highly skilled in selecting the best solution for your specific needs. And with locations along the coast — from New Jersey to South Carolina — you’re never alone when you need support.
To learn more about rebuild or repower options for your boat, contact:
REBUILD:
David Shook
General Manager, Marine Service
Johnson & Towers/Western Branch Diesel
757-673-7232
REPOWER:
Brett Halavacs
Regional Sales Manager
Johnson & Towers/Western Branch Diesel
252-732-6327
Photo Jarrett Bay/Luke Pearson
By Christopher Swanhart
It used to be there was only one choice for marine propulsion—wind. Steam power was next, then it was the internal combustion engine. Typically, this power has been delivered to the water via submerged propellers on inclined shafts. And even with the multitude of propulsion types available today, and the significant advances in systems efficiency, inclined shafts remain a constant on mid- to large-sized sportfishing vessels. Let’s take a look at why.
By Captain Scott “Fraz” Murie
I’ve participated in many major engine rebuilds over the years. In the process, I’ve developed great relationships with groups of elite mechanics. Working with these guys has taught me how to save thousands of dollars in labor. Recently, I’ve witnessed some super lazy crews just hanging out on the dock doing nothing while the mechanics are in the engine room. They could literally be saving the owner thousands of dollars helping the mechanics.
