| Need I say More ? |  |
| What was he thinking ? |  |
| This boat was advertised as having a newly
re-bedded keel. Someone has cut away much of the inner skin that actually supports the weight of the keel and even omitted washers or backing plates. Eventually this 5000lb. keel is going to fall off and take a good chunk of the bottom with it. Sadly.....someone will buy this boat ! |
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 ShoreApowerAjunctionAboxAwithoutAcircuitA breakers,ApolarityAindicatorAorAprotective cover and with solid core copper conductors. |
 An AC outlet directly over a gasoline tank. You get a spark every time you remove a plug. |
 A non-isolated, non-ignition protected, automotive type battery charger plugged into an AC outlet in a gasoline engine compartment and connected to the battery with alligator clips. INSANE ! |
 This is so common I had to show you another one ! |
| AT RIGHT - More alligator clips ! - They spark when you connect them or when they fall off. The battery on the left is not secured at all. Neither battery is in tray or box to catch spilled or over flowing electrolyte and positive terminals have no rubber boots. LOWER RIGHT - Another AC outlet in a gasoline engine compartment. BELOW - More wire twist connectors and a live, bare AC conductor, again in a gasoline engine compartment. 
|
 
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Another invitation to disaster. This domestic type water heater is installed between a gasoline tank and engine. Water heaters you buy at Home Depot are not " ignition protected " therefore the thermostat may spark as it cycles on and off.. |
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| A non-ignition protected 120VAC heater installed with the back side fully exposed to a gasoline engine compartment. This is so outrageous I don't know what to say. |  |
| The I/O on the right has an unpainted border
while the unit on the left has the
antifouling
paint in full contact. Did you know that I/O manufacturers will void your corrosion warranty if the bottom pant is in contact with the drive. You should have read the manual. Metals in the paint will cause a galvanic reaction with the drive and hasten corrosion. |
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| It's not a good idea to lift a boat in slings
when one of the straps is on the shaft. Give the travel lift operator a break and mark the lift points on your hull. |
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| Photo at right shows the back of a propane
furnace connected with solid
core copper conductors and wire twist (marrete)
connectors. Would your wife even get on the boat if she knew what you had done. After 35 years I still like my wife and like having her aboard. |
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| The first three photos below show a rather sad amateur engine installation with missing and loose mounting bolts and one poorly supported mount while the photo at lower right shows the damage being done to the shaft log every time this engine is put in gear and jumps forward 3". | |
 Loose engine mounting bolt |
 Missing engine mounting bolt |
 Mounting base partially off engine bed |
 One of the results. The engine moves so much that the propeller hub is smashing the sahft log. |
| Given any thought to the size of your anchor
lately ? How many of you can drop anchor in the five seconds you have before you are on the rocks after losing power in a narrow entrance ? |
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| Most sailboat rudders are foam filled FRP
and eventually water will saturate the foam.
If the water is not allowed to drain, winter
freezing will separate the foam from the
FRP skin and in some cases split the rudder
open. This is a very common problem and I often suggest that a hole be drilled in the lowest edge of the rudder to permit drainage when the boat is hauled. Some people plug the hole when they re-launch in the spring but I tend to think this is a waste of time as you will never stop the water getting in anyway. |
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| If you let your hoses get to this condition you deserve to sink. |  |
| Gasoline fuel fill hose with multiple fractures..... not good. |  |
| I am amazed at the number of boats I inspect that do not have seacocks on below the waterline through hulls or seacocks so badly corroded they break at a touch. |  |
| The builder put in a throughull without a seacock and then a brilliant owner compounded the proble by sticking a cork in the hose when the throughull was no longer required. |  |
| Think the last photo was a rarity. Think again ! |
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| I often survey boats with seacocks I can
see but not reach. Make sure you know where they are and can get to them in a hurry. |
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