Engine Spares for Local Cruising
May 9, 2023
Spare parts for different types of cruising adventures Organizing spare engine parts before a trip. The day has come to untie those dock lines and head out on the water. As you motor out of your slip, the last things you…
Diesel Deep Dive: Modern Emissions Tech
March 21, 2023
When Rudolf Diesel invented and patented the design for the first pressure-ignited heat engine (commonly known as the diesel engine today), I doubt he would have expected to see the changes to performance, efficiency, and…
Boat Maintenance & Repairs,Featured
What Else Can Your Engine Do for You?
January 17, 2023
This Perkins has a hydraulic pump for power steering. Aboard many recreational and commercial boats, the main engine may be equipped to drive more than just the boat. From pump drives to generators, the power an engine…
Diesel Deep Dive:When to Repair vs Replace
November 8, 2022
There are cases when replacing with a new engine may actually be cheaper than a rebuild. The question of whether to repair or replace an engine component, or the entire engine itself, is complicated. Answers vary greatly…
FAQs from a Diesel Mechanic
September 13, 2022
Throughout my career, I have been asked many questions about what I do and why, or for tips and tricks to keep customers’ engines happy and healthy. Here are some of the most common questions I get and how I typically…
Boat Maintenance & Repairs,Featured
Diesel Deep Dive: Electrical Gremlins in Your Engine Compartment?
June 13, 2022
From the June 2022 issue of 48° North. Working as a marine engineer and mechanic, I have seen and continue to see some of the worst DIY electrical jobs on boats, both recreational and commercial. Unlike residential…
Seamanship & Navigation,Featured
A Closer Look at Diesel Fuel
April 5, 2022
This article was originally published in the April 2022 issue of 48° North. In my last column (February 2022), we talked about oil’s function and filtration in a marine diesel engine, and noted that it is one of several…
Instructional,Boat Maintenance & Repairs,Featured
Diesel Deep Dive: Functional Oil Filtration
February 15, 2022
(Caption) Engine room of the Maritime Instructor (Seattle Maritime Academy training ship). All engines are equipped with spin-on or cartridge style filters. This article was originally published in the February 2022 issue of…
Instructional,Boat Maintenance & Repairs,Featured
Diesel Deep Dive: The Effect of Time on an Engine
December 14, 2021
This article was originally published in the November 2021 issue of 48° North. Marine diesels endure a tough life during their time on board a vessel. Often I hear, “A diesel will last forever,” or, “That engine will get a…
Instructional,Boat Maintenance & Repairs,Featured
Diesel Deep Dive: Quirks of the Engine Cooling System
October 12, 2021
Exploring the quirks of the marine diesel engine cooling system. This article was originally published in the October 2021 issue of 48° North. It’s a beautiful sunny day, and the water is calling. Once the diesel is started…