Page 2 - Marine Parts

Modern technology is a major presence on boats these days. From computerized navigation, sophisticated fish finders and mapping devices, high-powered amplifiers and sound systems and more, the demands on your boat's electrical and charging system have never been greater. Most boats are not built with the battery charging system needed to sustain all of these advanced technologies. Upgrading a boat's charging system has become a very common need for the modern boater.

Why upgrade?

Some common reasons for upgrading a boat's charging system include:

• Can't keep the battery charged
• Alternator doesn't keep up with the electrical requirements
• Don't want to run the engine or generator just to charge the batteries
• Batteries have been added, but they may not be charging effectively
• Battery bank doesn't charge at idle
• Alternators keep burning out
• With twin engines, the alternators don't work together to charge the batteries

Those summer months on the water are a lot of fun, but they are also HOT.  If you're lucky enough to have a boat with cabin space, then hopefully you're able to enjoy a break from the heat.  Stepping inside the boat's cabin is even better if you've equipped it with what I would call humanity's greatest invention: air conditioning.

For boats with up to three cabin spaces, self-contained air conditioners are probably your best solution for cooling that space. Typically, each cabin is equipped with its own unit, which is sized according to the space it must cool.  Getting an air conditioner that also offers reverse-cycle heating is also beneficial; it can provide some warmth during the cooler spring and fall, allowing you to extend your boating season.

Choosing the right toilet for your boat may not be an exciting shopping experience, but it's an important one.  The conveniences you add to your boat can determine the overall enjoyment you and your family have on the water.  For decades, boats have been outfitted with toilets that are cheaply made, difficult to operate, and not very comfortable.  Making the upgrade to a modern solution can make the difference for a fun weekend on the water.  When you invest in comfort and convenience, we can say with certainty that your family will thank you!

Modern marine toilets come in a variety of shapes, sizes and style.  There are also many variations of water sources, controls, and flush controls available. Knowing the right ones to choose can be a daunting task.  Here are five important factors to consider when selecting the right marine toilet for your vessel:

There's nothing like a weekend on the boat - you know that!  But, you may also know, there's nothing like a weekend on the boat when something goes wrong.  Whether it's through a lack of preventative maintenance, a wrong turn or simply bad luck, when you encounter mechanical or electrical problems on the water you feel stranded and alone - literally!  The good news is that with just a little bit of planning, you can be prepared for the eventual mishap.  Bring along a few of the spare parts listed below, build a spare parts kit, and in a lot of cases you'll be able to get yourself out of a bad situation and save yourself LOTS of money.

1. Spare filters
   To many, this may sound obvious.  However, we've heard it more times than we can count: a fun boating weekend is planned, the engine is filled with fuel, and then when it's on the water, the engine feels as though it's losing strength.  The engine sputters and stalls.  Before

If you've ever struggled with steering on your boat because of a stiff and unresponsive steering cable, then you probably know how important having reliable, well-maintained steering components is. Regular maintenance of your steering system will avoid the pains of difficult steering, and while replacing a boat steering cable can be challenging, it's a repair that is totally doable for the mechanically-inclined boat owner.

Most recreational boats use either a hydraulic steering system or a mechanical steering system. In this article, we will be focusing