Author: Breeze Marine

Southern California boats rarely freeze, but months of sitting still spoil fuel, oil and batteries. Here is what a proper boat lay-up involves and what to check.

A step-by-step look at moving a boat that will not run: towing it from the slip, hauling out at the ramp, trailering to the shop and preparing for pickup day.

How boat trailer bunks wear out, the warning signs to check, carpet versus plastic slicks, and when to recarpet the boards or replace them with pressure-treated lumber.

What a collision or grounding does to a fiberglass hull, the hidden damage signs to watch for, what to record for your insurer and what a real estimate should include.

Engine revs but the boat will not plane? Learn how prop hubs fail, how to spot a spun hub, why props seize on the shaft and what re-hubbing a propeller involves.

A clatter at idle that fades as rpm rises usually points to worn damper plate springs. Learn the warning signs, owner checks and what the repair involves.

Why a clogged or leaking gearbox oil cooler causes boat transmission overheating, slipping and milky fluid, what owners can check and what cooler service involves.

Gentle cleaning, early seam checks and rationed sanding keep a teak deck sound. Learn how seams fail, what re-caulking involves and when a full restoration pays off.

Rust streaks, milky oil and rough starts can point to a failing exhaust riser. How risers and elbows corrode, what to check yourself and what replacement involves.

Why diesel valve lash drifts, what ticking and smoke colors mean, how compression and leak-down tests work, and when a marine diesel needs a mechanic's attention.

What causes transom rot, how to check for stress cracks, flex and a soft core yourself, and what a proper transom rebuild with a rot-proof core involves.

Generator shutting down after 20 minutes? Learn how the raw water cooling system works, why scale forms in the heat exchanger and when descaling is the right fix.

A practical guide to bilge pump float switches: mechanical vs digital types, common failure causes, a quick test you can do aboard and when to call a technician.

Why bilge pumps fail, how an independent high-water alarm warns you in time, where to place the float switch and siren, and simple tests every boat owner can do.

Engine sagging overnight or oil on the transom? How hydraulic trim rams fail in salt water, simple checks owners can do, and what a proper trim ram rebuild involves.

Stuck open or stuck closed, a failing marine thermostat hurts the engine either way. Learn the signs, simple dock checks and what proper thermostat testing involves.

Rough idle, stalling in gear or a flat spot off idle can mean your carburetors are out of sync. Learn the causes, what to check and what a proper sync involves.

How ethanol fuel turns into varnish inside a boat carburetor, the surging and stalling it causes, what to check first, and when cleaning or a rebuild is the fix.