Knots A knot will reduce the strength of the rope, sometimes very significantly. This loss is caused by the tight bends and compression found in any knot. The amount a rope will be weakened will depend on the knot, type of rope and the material from which it is made, but can be up to […]
All hatches leak eventually. To fix a leak, you first have to find the source of the leak. You might immediately assume that the gasket around the lid is the source of the problem and very often it is. It might also be a failing oring or gasket on the handle, or aging caulk around […]
General Hatches and port-lights should be fitted to a flat surface with maximum tolerance of +/- 1 mm. For decks of composite construction (e.g. GRP) it is recommended that the exposed laminate be sealed with the appropriate material prior to fitting the hatch. Openings in metal decks should have all burs and sharp edges removed. […]
Chain is made to standards, so strength, size and properties are quite similar within a given grade and size. Still there can be differences (in galvanizing, for example). For imperial sizes, Budget Marine offers European “Vigouroux” chain, which has the highest standard in consistency and strength specification. For the US sizes, Budget Marine offers the […]
A common misconception is that stainless steel is non-magnetic. There are five classes of stainless steel, and only one is non-magnetic. However, it just happens to be that the most widely used type (austenitic) is the one that is not magnetic. Magnetism has more to do with the steel’s grain microstructure than with its chemical […]
SecurityWire and cable runs should be robustly secured wires with clamps and wire ties to resist vibration, pounding, rolling and pitching. Size MattersYou need more copper for more current. If your wire is undersized, it can get hot enough to melt the insulation and cause all kinds of catastrophes. Use sizing charts to make sure […]
The rigors of the marine environment, such as vibration, pounding, salty air, engine-space, heat and exposure to chemicals, put a lot of pressure on the wires that are the central nervous system of any modern boat. But we like electricity — a lot — so taking extra steps to ensure our circuits are safe and […]
REPOSTED FROM ALL AT SEA MAGAZINE – See original post here Emergency positioning beacons can be the single most important piece of equipment aboard should something go catastrophically wrong. When all other means of rescue have failed having one goes a long way to assuring you and your crew can come away with your lives […]
Types – There are 3 types of sleeves, round, oval and double barrel. Round is the lowest quality, because you need to use a cup to point crimp on these. You are putting pressure on a point on the line. Oval and double barrel are similar in quality, the cup to cup crimper deforms the […]
All consumers want the same thing: value. People often confuse price for value but price is just one of the elements of value. Given an equal choice, most people prefer to pay a lower price for an identical piece of merchandise. Although price is an extremely important element in any transaction, there are other elements […]
