Compass Marine "How To" Articles Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

Compass Marine "How To" Articles

*PLEASE NOTE THAT NEW ARTICLES POPULATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

This gallery displays some of the various articles I've written for web sites, magazines and owners associations. If you were linked here from another site I apologize, in advance, that all the articles are not here for viewing. Enjoy these free "how to" articles:

Questions? Contact Compass Marine: compassmarineservices@gmail.com

***** © Images & text property of Compass Marine © *****

PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THAT I GET 10-50 EMAILS PER DAY REQUESTING FREE ADVICE. I SIMPLY CAN NOT RESPOND TO ALL OF THEM. I DO TRY.. IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN ON-LINE, PHONE or EMAIL CONSULT (paid) PLEASE PUT THE WORD "CONSULT" IN YOUR SUBJECT LINE.

:: About / Member ABYC ::	:: Help Support This Site ::	:: Re-Bedding Deck Hardware ::	:: Need Butyl Tape ?? ::
:: Installing A Battery Monitor ::	:: Need A Battery Monitor ? ::	:: Installing A Marine Battery Charger ::	:: Seacock & Thru-Hull Primer/Pre Information ::
:: Servicing Tapered Cone Seacocks ::	:: Replacing Thru-Hulls and Seacocks ::	:: Seacock Failure Testing ::	:: Seacock Backing Plates / Alternate Method / No Through Bolts ::
:: Installing A Seacock & Thru-Hull Fitting In A New Location ::	:: Proper Installation of Double Hose Clamps ::	:: External Strainers - OMG ::	:: Changing A Raw Water Pump Impeller ::
:: Rebuilding A Raw Water Pump ::	:: Fresh Water System Winterizing ::	:: Engine - Winter Freeze Protection ::	:: Engine Temp Monitoring & Over Heating Baseline Assessment ::
:: Autopsy A Westerbeke / Universal Marine Heat Exchanger ::	:: Rebuilding A Perko Bronze Sea Strainer ::	:: Installing New Found Metals Stainless Portlights ::	:: Making a New Stereo Cabinet ::
:: Understanding the Moisture Meter / Electrophysics CT-33 ::	:: Sealing Deck Penetrations to Prevent Core Rot ::	:: NavPod Installation Tips ::	:: Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box ::
:: PSS Shaft Seal Installation ::	:: Replacing A Cutlass Bearing ::	:: Replacing Motor Mounts & The Obstacles ::	:: A New Prop Shaft ::
:: Lap Fitting A Propeller To A Shaft ::	:: Marine Wire Termination ::	:: New Depth Sounder With An Old Transducer ::	:: Easy VHF Connections ::
:: Making Your Own Battery Cables ::	:: Inverter Inefficiency ::	:: Rebuilding A Westerbeke Alternator ::	:: Leece-Neville 8MR Series Alternator External Regulation Conversion ::
:: Universal Diesel Wiring Harness Upgrade ::	:: Universal Diesel M-25 Alternator Upgrade ::	:: Universal M-25 XPB Alternator Upgrade ::	:: Installing A Raymarine Rudder Position Sensor ::
:: M-25 Air Filter & PCV Valve Upgrade ::	:: Rebuilding A Racor Turbine Filter ::	:: Replacing A Facet Fuel Pump Filter ::	:: Replacing A Fuel Tank ::
:: Mooring Preparation & Precautions ::	:: Measuring A Lead Acid Battery State of Charge ::	:: Anchor Scope Illustrated ::	:: Installing A Small Marine Solar System ::
:: Cleaning & Greasing A Lewmar "England" Winch ::	:: Universal M-18 & M-25 Alternator Bracket Upgrade ::	:: Installing An Electromaax Alternator & Serpentine Pulley Kit ::	:: Installing A Solbian Solar Panel ::
:: Wire Labeling ::	:: Testing A Galvanic Isolator ::	:: Installation & Orientation of Flooded Batteries ::	:: Effect of Winter on Battery Self Discharge ::
:: Battery Bank Fusing ::	:: Terminating Small Wires ::	:: Fusing Voltage Drop ::	:: Terminating Solar MC-4 Connectors ::

comment |

Ken		09-Apr-2013 02:19
Really enjoy your pictures and content. I'm currently doing a refit on a 1978 Rafiki 37 cutter. Your information on solar controllers was already put to use just last week. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share. Ken

Mike		05-Feb-2013 14:50
Great thanks for an excellent website. Your articles on rebedding deck hardware are the most transformative for me. I bought a 1982 Pearson 36 Cutter and have been rebedding every bit of the deck hardware with the butyl and your technique. Had I not read your site I would have done it all with some caulk and the result would have been awful. Furthermore, my wife uses the butyl for a hundred uses on the boat and accordingly uses far more of it than myself. Anything that needs to be fastened temporarily or kept from sliding is held with butyl, and any cleanup is easy with a bit of kerosene. Thanks again! Mike

Merrill Garnett		24-Jan-2013 00:52
The standard potential of zinc or any metal is fixed and does not vary with the amount of the metal. What does vary is the current density as measured between two poles under the load of interest.

Bob Elder		16-Jan-2013 15:35
I agree with the others...a wonderful, information filled site. Thanks Question about thru hulls in a cored hull. I am buying an older cored hull boat that needs some thru hull work. Do you have info about the proper way to replace or install new the thru hulls in a cored hull? I like the guides that you have here about single thickness hulls. Thanks bob

Guest		29-Dec-2012 16:49
Hi, I have a 1 inch prop shaft with a standard tapered end. I have a spare 12x10L prop, but the small hole end of the prop (the nut end) needs to be enlarged by 1.5 mm, the wide end 1 inch is good, so I guess I need some sort of tool or Reamer to do it, Can anybody please advise me, Thanks robwooly

Russell Poulston		17-Nov-2012 12:02
As a live-aboard, I find your web page info very useful. It was passed to me by another live-aboard. I have passed it on to many other by way of my own webpage. Thank you very much. Russell Poulston at poulston.com

Ron Lepianka		07-Sep-2012 22:24
I enjoy reading your posts and have learned so much from them. Thank you for taking the time to write and the photographs fill any details not entirely understood. Thanks again. Ron Lepianka

robwooly		10-Jul-2012 14:19
Your very kind to share all of your Knowledge and experience. Thank you ! Be Well. Robert

Jim		15-May-2012 15:51
Enjoy each of your project descriptions. I was wondering why there are no details with replacing your alternator bracket. Keep up the good work. All the best Jim

Lou, Fair Haven, NJ		26-Feb-2010 18:26
Great site!! Lots of very good information. I like the K&N on the Universal. Does it increase the intake noise? A K&N made my 5.0 Mustang howl, but I liked that noise! Now you've got me thinking about a cold air induction Dorade box! Thanks' Lou, Mariner 28

Bruce Schaffer		09-Jan-2010 21:38
Your site is exactly what the Internet was designed for...people helping people. XLNT WORK! By the way, anyone out there have any ideas (or experience) on how to convert a Catalina 30 L-shaped dinette to a U-shaped dinette? I can make myself a nice teak table top but how 'bout the other stuff & install method? Any suggestions (or resources) warmly appreciated.

Tom R		05-Sep-2009 05:29
Great site. Any tips on how to replace the crazed and leaking perspex in an otherwise serviceable foredeck hatch on a 1981 C&C 40? Tom R, Duncan BC

Leonard McNeill		25-Aug-2009 10:19
What a fantastic web site. Congratulations! I got this web address from the United Kingdom's W.B.O.A. (Westerly Boat Owners Association)and couldn't believe how useful it is. I don't know of anything so useful here in the UK. WBOA have a "talk" forum which is great but nowhere as useful as this. I have already emailed my sailing friends here in the West Coast of Scotland regarding this very useful tool. Thank you.

Ken Palmer		12-Jun-2009 11:57
I just about panicked when I couldn't find the link to your web site to look up some information for a fellow sailor. Thank goodness I found your posting today on the Hunter Owners Net. Thank you for your professional photos and projects. Ken Palmer www.lakeontariosailing.com

Christopher		12-May-2009 12:47
Congratulations! I am impressed by the great work you have done so far. Useful comments and pictures - Thanks to you I did it myself (stuffing box). Christopher - 1999 Performer 32 w/ 2 Yanmar 6 LP STE Martinique - French West Indies

Aike van der Hoeff (Netherlands)		25-Apr-2009 15:21
It's weekend, and because of the link published in the Dutch sailing magazine 'Zeilen' I'm already hooked on this material. This will cost me the weekend, and more. What a rich stuff, packed with pictures! I'm intended to translate as much as possible, for dutch sailing people. If I do, the source will be given of course. Regards, Aike van der Hoeff, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Joe		31-Dec-2008 05:11
Very cool of you! I've been working in a boatyard for a couple years. I can't even count the times I've wanted to come in in the middle of the night and "re-do" projects that I've seen other employees do. That's pretty sad in my opinion. Especially when the point of me taking the job was to try and learn from the pros. Hah! Pros in keeping boatyards in business maybe. I've started countless arguments for potting the core, coutersinking and butyl for thru deck fittings since I've been here but to no avail. It's disgusting to think how many boats have and will die premature rotting deaths due to job security petty fears. Your use of glass backing plates is also great. The common reasoning I've always heard is that wood blocks of course swell in moisture and so assure the seal. Your mentioning the movement that that causes makes absolute sense. The more I think about it, why in the hell would anyone want a "swollen" block of wood inside their boat to be a last line of defense to sinking? What happens to consistently moist wood? I think we all know the answer to that. This is all golden. Thanks again and Karhma has to be on your side for all of this!

Gary Johns		02-Oct-2008 15:00
I recently aquired my first boat a Catalina 30 living in Michigan it has to come out of the water and I was wondering if anyone has a step by step of what I need to do to winterize the boat. thanks for any help Gary Johns

Guest		16-Apr-2007 04:56
Thanks v much for the flax packing info. Picture is worth many thousands words and saves a bunchof skinned knuckles. My daughter didn;t know I knew so may bad words. Great shots. Thanks again Ric Hattin CS-30 Xari

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