Page 5 - Blog

What do you do when the number of battery banks on your boat is greater than the number of charging outputs from your system’s battery charger, and you want to provide a charge to all batteries? How do you design a boat electrical system that charges two battery banks without adding the cost of a dual output charger? Instead of upgrading your charging system, or installing a system with multiple outputs, install an automatic charging relay (ACR). The cost of a charging system with multiple outputs is considerably more expensive than one with single output, making the installation of the ACR a less expensive option.

For example, consider a typical marine electrical system with two battery banks, a battery charger with one output, and an alternator. To charge both battery banks from your single output charger, connect the ACR between the battery banks. Connect the alternator to charge battery 1 (start battery), and

When you are working on your boat, it's important that you have the right tools and supplies to do the job.  But what if you don't know what those right supplies are?  3M offers a variety of marine adhesives and sealants that are all high quality, but each type serves a different purpose and should be used for the proper application.  In this article, we will cover the main types of 3M marine adhesives and sealants, and explain the proper use for each.

Terminology

Before we dive into the specific types of sealants available, a brief overview of some terminology may be helpful. 

First, fast-cure or FC refers to certain 3M sealants that cure quickly.  These should be used for applications where you need to fix something quickly.  If the boat is going to be hitting the water soon, you will want to opt for a fast cure sealant.  These typically are completely cured within 24 hours.  The drawback is that while they will provide a strong and durable seal, they may not be quite as

Keeping your boat cool and your guests comfortable on the hottest of summer days is important, but knowing what size air conditioner is right for your boat is not always easy to determine.  There are a number of factors that effect how many air conditioners and what size unit(s) you will need to properly control the climate on your vessel.  There's even a little bit of math involved!  However, using the guidelines below, you should be able to pretty accurately identify the right air conditioning solution for your boat.

Type of Air Conditioner System

A good place to start with selecting an air conditioner for your boat is to first identify which type of air conditioner you'll need.  There are three main types of air conditioners used on boats: self contained units, split units and chiller systems. Each offers its own unique features and advantages.

A self-contained air conditioner is a unit where all of the components of the air conditioning system are mounted together on one chassis.

In the 1970's, Raritan Engineering began development of a waste treatment device for boats to allow for discharge of waste without harm to the environment.  The goal was to build a product that allowed boats under 65 feet in length to discharge waste that was treated so that it would not impact the marine life of the lake, river or sea where the waste was being discharged.  At the time, it was not a device that was in demand, but Raritan saw the need for this technology.  Eventually, they designed a simple macerating box that used small amounts of chlorine to eliminate the bacteria present in the waste.

Over time, the technology evolved, and so did the public interest in protecting the marine environment.  Eventually, the EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard implemented regulations and standards regarding waste discharge from boats.  These regulations increased the need and demand for sophisticated waste treatment devices for boats.  Today, Raritan offers a few options for onboard waste

When you are searching for parts for your boat's engine, it's very important to have the proper information regarding the brand, size and type of engine you have.  Unfortunately, every engine manufacturer uses different information and a different system to identify their engines. 

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has been the parent company for Evinrude and Johnson outboard motors for many years. As such, the system and process for identifying those engines are the same.  In the article below, we will walk you through how to find the correct identification information for Johnson and Evinrude engines, and we'll help to translate that information into something you can use.

Most marine engine manufacturers rely on some type of number or code to properly identify each motor they produce.  This number is the key to understanding when the engine was made, what design features it contains, and what size it is.

When the weather gets warm, the urge to get your boat on the water is irresistable - we get it!  However, it is really important that before you hit the water, you conduct a thorough inspection of your vessel to make sure it is in good working condition.  Taking the time to go through this examination could save you a lot more time (and money!) down the road. 

Discover Boating has compiled a terrific spring launch checklist, and we've added a few of our own suggestions as well.  Once you've conducted all of the steps below and addressed any issues that you find, your boat should be ready to get into the water.

Checking the Fuel System

Making sure your boat's fuel system is in good working order isn't just about the boat's performance - it's also a safety issue.  You'll want to eliminate any potential leaks of fluids or gases prior to operating your vessel.

• Inspect the fuel system for leaks or damage and be sure to pay special attention to fuel hoses, connections and tank surfaces.

Your boat's anchor will take a lot of abuse - there's no way around it!  Anchors are also frequently lost at sea when they are not properly tied off or get hung on obstruction underwater and have to be cut loose.  When it comes time to replace your anchor, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the variety of choices.  Different styles, sizes and finishes abound, and there are specific reasons to choose a certain anchor based on the type of boating you plan on doing.  Below are some tips to help you navigate the choice overload and find the right anchor for your boat.

Where Are You Boating?

The first place to start when choosing an anchor is to better understand the environment in which you will be boating.  The type of bottom that you are boating over will have a big impact on the style and size of anchor that you choose.  The type of bottom will affect an anchor's ability to penetrate the surface of the bottom and its ability to develop resistance to forces like waves and wind.

At Marine Parts Source, we get a lot of calls from boat owners seeking advice or recommendations on a repair or project they are attempting to do themselves (and we love to help!).  However, it is not uncommon for novice boat owners to struggle in communicating exactly what they are attempting to do.  If you are attempting a repair on your boat, it's important that you are using the right terminology to communicate with a mechanic, a supplier of parts and equipment, or anyone else involved in helping you with the repair. Here are some of the important terms used in boating that will help you accurately describe your boat's repair.

What are the bow and stern?

For those that aren't accustomed to boating, you might be inclined to just call these sections the "front" and the "back of the boat.  Nothing will reveal you as an inexperienced boater faster!  The forward section of the boat's hull is referred to as the bow, and the rear section of the hull is called the stern.  The

One of the most common issues that we observe in boats is improper wiring sizes being used for various appliances and electrical components.  All too frequently, wires that are much to small are expected to provide adequate power for demanding devices like refrigerators and air conditioners.  This isn't only a problem of providing enough power, either.  Using wire that is too small is a fire hazard and can be a serious safety issue.  The ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council) has established industry-accepted standards for wire sizing, and in this article we will help you to understand those standards.

Marine-Grade Wire

One important factor to consider is that marine wire is NOT the same type of wire you might use in your home or purchase at your local hardware store.  Marine-grade wire comes with some important features that ensure it is safe to use in the marine environment.  For one, marine wire will be stranded, whereas typical household wire is solid.  Second, marine-grade