• Online Account Log-In
  • Scott Sky Smith Blog – Sky Log
  • Privacy Policy
Scott Sky Smith Insurance

Category Archives: boats

Improve fuel efficiency

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Scott Smith

How can I improve my boats fuel efficiency?

To help improve the fuel efficiency of any boat make sure to inspect the engine and components, checking to see if they are working at their peak capacity.  That means the air filters or spark arrestors are clean and in good condition. Spark plugs should be cleaned or replaced (if their condition is questionable) and adjusted correctly. Fuel filters and water separators should also clean or replaced along with any worn or damaged hoses, belts, wires or cables.  The better the engine runs the better your fuel efficiency. 

fuel efficiency

It is also very important that you have the correct propeller on your boat.  The wrong propeller can over “rev” your engines burning too much fuel for the speeds and performance achieved.  To much pitch can do the opposite and put too much load on the engine.  Too much load will make the engine work harder than necessary and burn too much fuel for the performance.  Besides reduced fuel economy there is a risk of damage to the engine. 

It is also important to make sure the boat hull is clean and free of barnacles, algae or scum buildup.  Anything that sticks out from the hull surface can reduce the performance of the boat hull and reduce the fuel economy. 

Owners that have access to the exterior of their boat can regularly clean, polish and wax the hulls to reduce drag and increase performance. If your boat spends its life moored, you should have the hull regularly cleaned and refinished with an anti fouling paint.  Depending on the water conditions and your hulls anti fouling protection, this can be a once a every few years or once a year project.

Many companies sell products to reduce growth and build up.  Look for a product that is appropriate for your hull material and gives long life and low cleansing speeds.  If the cleansing speeds are too high, some vessels will never be able to take advantage of the cleaning action while moving.

What ever brand you use, make sure it is suitable for your boat and for the environment.  Look for an anti fouling treatment that last awhile. Cleaning and painting the bottom of any boat is a time consuming job.  The better the material works and the longer it lasts better your fuel economy.

Posted in boats, Marine, pontoons, Uncategorized | Tags: boating, boats, evinrude, marine, mercury, outboards, pontoons |

Miami Boat Show 2018

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Scott Smith

Miami Boat Show 2018 Pictures

Miami Boat Show 2018 – a few pictures from this years show.  One thing that was not missing was horsepower. Boats with two, three and even more outboard motors on a boat.  And outboards with 400, 500 and more horsepower.  Who would have thought that the outboards would be such a huge market. My favorite type of boat!

miami boat show

Posted in boat crew, boat docks, Boat Insurance, boat maintenance, boat ownership, boat parts, boat projects, boat safety, boat service, Boat shows, boating, boating safety, boats, boatshows, BoatU.S. | Tags: Boat Shows, boating, boats, Cigarette boats, evinrude, lakes, marinas, mercury, Miami Boat Show, outboards, sailboats |

Boat Compass

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Scott Smith

Boat Compass

Boat Compass? Who needs one. I realize most people like the new GPS systems for navigation. However, I also want a compass. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right compass (besides getting one as a gift.  Hint, hint!) and decide where to place it.

Many people opt for GPS navigation and neglect the old reliable compass navigation systems.  The GPS can be simpler to use and often more accurate for the novice, but a good reliable compass is almost a necessity in my mind.  I have had GPS screens fail, database corrupt and numerous other problems.  While reliability is very high on the new electronics I always like a backup system, especially if I am going on a long trip with little service available.

What kind of Compass?

Many companies manufacture compass units.  One is ComNav Marine (www.comnavmarine.com).  They offer numerous models of compasses and autopilot systems that couple to the compass.

compass

Their recommendations come from four basic questions;

What kind of boat is the compass going to be used on?

Sailboats and powerboats have different damping characteristics and heeling angle limits.  These differences require a different design in the compass to compensate for those limits.

What size is the boat?

ComNav states that “the further the compass will be from the helmsman, the larger the compass you should have.  If your boat is greater than 8 meters (approximately 26 feet), consider a 100 Series or larger capsule”.  Lets note here that ComNav compass models are named for the apparent size of the compass card.  For example, the compass card on a 70 Series compass has an apparent size of 70 mm (2 3/4 “) while the 125 Series has an apparent size of 125 mm (4.9”). ComNav says “apparent” size since the dome and fluid inside the compass magnify the actual card size.

Where will the compass be mounted? 

Compass manufacturers do a very good job of designing compasses to be mounted in almost any location or position.  Typical mounting styles include: bulkhead, flush-mount and bracket-mount. The biggest mounting concerns are to make sure you can easily see the compass and to keep it away from things that could effect its operation (anything that creates magnetic fields or iron.)

What kind of compensators do you need?

The more steel in the boat (steel hulls) the more important compensators will be.  ComNav recommends the use of “compensators for all compass applications where the compass will be used for navigation”. They also offer a reminder that “the distance to the source of interference is more critical than the strength of it”.

 

 

 

 

Posted in boating, boating safety, boats, boatshows, Uncategorized | Tags: boating, boats, marine, mercury, pontoons |
Next Page »

Contact us

Call – (515) 289-1439

Email: ins@skysmith.com

 

Wings, Wheels, Water YouTube Channel

subscribeSubscribe to my channel
«
Prev
1
/
7
Next
»
loading
play
Touch 'N Go - Liability
play
Touch 'N Go - Floats
play
Touch 'N Go - Cost (of Aircraft Ownership)
«
Prev
1
/
7
Next
»
loading

CyberChimps WordPress Themes

© Scott Sky Smith