Boating Guides & Tutorials

I've relied on VHF to call for help in an emergency, and a bad installation can leave you silent when you need it most. ...

I've been in fog so thick I couldn't see my own bow, and my horn was the only way to let other boats know I was there. T...

I've seen trolling motor wiring that looked like a rat's nest and was a fire waiting to happen. This step-by-step guide ...

I've seen a gas dock fire, and I've had a fuel spill that made a mess and a hazard. Refueling is simple if you follow a ...

I've installed inverters on sailboats and powerboats, and I've learned that the wrong setup can fry your electronics or ...

I've been stranded by a dead battery and shocked by a spark I didn't expect. Replacing a boat battery is simple if you f...

I've had boat carpet that smelled like a wet dog after one rainy season. This step-by-step guide covers cleaning, mildew...

I've been caught out on the water with a fuel gauge that lied to me, and it nearly cost me a tow. This step-by-step guid...

I've fried a charger and nearly killed a battery bank by installing it wrong. This step-by-step guide covers choosing th...

I've been saved by a voltmeter more than once—it told me my battery was dying before it left me stranded. This step-by-s...

I've seen boats come loose from docks because of a poorly tied cleat hitch, and I've made the mistake myself. This step-...

A tachometer is more than just a gauge—it helps you monitor engine health and performance. This step-by-step guide cover...

A boat fuse panel is the heart of your electrical system, and a bad install can cause fires or leave you stranded. This ...

Installing a boat stereo is a satisfying DIY project, but it must be done right to survive the marine environment. This ...

I cracked an engine block one winter because I skipped the most important step. This guide walks you through winterizing...

I've installed bilge pumps on everything from small skiffs to 45-foot cruisers, and I've learned that a bad install can ...

I've spent hours tweaking props on my charter boat, and I've learned that the right propeller can make or break performa...

Wiring boat lights isn't just about making them turn on—it's about doing it safely and legally. This step-by-step guide ...

Adding solar to your boat is one of the best upgrades you can make, but it has to be done right. This step-by-step guide...

I've trusted a bowline with my boat and my life more times than I can count. This step-by-step guide teaches you how to ...

Splicing rope is a skill every boater should learn—it creates stronger connections than knots and looks more professiona...

I've wired dozens of dual battery systems, and a battery switch is the heart of it. This step-by-step guide covers choos...

I spent years staring at a fish finder screen without really understanding what I was looking at. This guide breaks down...

I was terrified the first time I backed a trailer down a boat ramp, and I made every mistake in the book. This step-by-s...

I've dragged anchor at 2 a.m. and woken up half a mile from where I went to sleep. Proper anchoring is a skill, not luck...

I used to scrub my boat with dish soap and a stiff brush, and it showed. After ruining the gelcoat on my first RIB, I le...

Installing a marine GPS chartplotter can seem intimidating, but with the right tools and a methodical approach, it's a j...

Choosing the wrong wire gauge can cause voltage drop, overheating, and even fire. This marine wire size chart and guide ...

I spent years guessing at bottom types and navigation marks because I never learned to read a marine chart properly. Her...

The first winter I owned a boat, I made a mistake that cost me 0 in repairs. Since then, I've learned the right way t...

A neglected battery is the most common reason boats won't start in spring. I've killed more batteries than I care to adm...

When I bought my first boat, I didn't know a grease fitting from a spark plug. After a year of learning the hard way, I'...

I've rewired dozens of boats and seen the same dangerous mistakes again and again. This step-by-step guide covers wire s...

I've rewired dozens of boats, and I've seen the same dangerous mistakes over and over. Here's a beginner's guide to boat...