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Category Archives: boat repair
Boat Insurance Tips!
Boat Insurance Tips!
A few Boat Insurance Tips to help you get the best insurance rates (and a few other things to remember):
- Get out there and boat. Experience moves you up the boat ladder and helps your insurance rates and requirements.
- Plan on getting a survey whether the insurance requires it or not, it is just a good practice. Plus it helps determine a value for the boat.
- Participate in training programs Coast Guard or others.
- Regular maintenance can help reduce the cost of ownership and risk of problems. Inspect or have your boat inspected by a qualified marine mechanic at least a couple of times a year.
- Fix things that are broken or in need of repair before someone gets hurt or you get stuck on the water and you have to make a claim. Claims will affect your rates and ability to get insurance.
- Have a plan to protect or move your boat if bad weather is heading your direction. If bad weather is winter, lay up the boat. Most underwriters offer reduce rates for boats that are not used year round.
- Securely store your boat by installing theft prevention devices on electronics, outboard engines, out drives, trailer hitches, etc.
- Install alarm and safety systems to protect against high bilge water levels, fires, vapors and theft.
- Keep your supply of charts and data cards current and plan your routes to avoid accidental grounding and bad weather.
- Be a responsible boater and use appropriate Personal Flotation Devices; don’t drink and boat and follow the “rules” of the waterway.
Need a boat insurance quote don’t forget to call me.
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Is oil analysis a good idea
This is a good question for not only aircraft owners but ,boat and performance car owners. too.
Question. Is oil analysis a good idea or just a waste of money?
Answer.
I think it depends on the engine. Most mechanics would probably agree that a high time engine would benefit from oil analysis. If you are trying to extend the time between overhauls (TBO), oil analysis is a must. Flying your aircraft past TBO can save you a few bucks in the near future but can (but not always) increase the actual cost of the overhaul in the long term. It could be one of those “pay me now or pay me more later”! Extended use might damage parts instead of just wearing them down.
But oil analysis and regular oil changes can help the owner monitor some of the internal conditions of the engine. Which also means if you start a new engine on the oil analysis program from the very start you can continually monitor the engines wear throughout the years of operation.
Typically, the average oil change would be sufficient for most owners to check the oil for any contaminants. The mechanic or owner who does the oil change should cut the filter, or inspect the oil screen and look for any type of contamination. If you are looking at an aircraft to buy, and you have the time, an oil analysis would probably offer you finer (no pun intended) details than just the filter or screen test. In fact, if you find something in the screen or filter it will probably indicate wear or damage that may be significant and might be a indicator that you should do oil analysis.
So in the end, no I do not think it is a waste of money.