The Marine Knowledge Network
Field write-ups from real jobs - what broke, what fixed it, torque specs and part numbers included. Ask it a question; specs answer inline.
30+ articles for “safety”
Trailer Surge Brakes: Inspection and Service
... This is a legal and safety item. 3. **Lines:** rusted steel lines along the ...
Hydraulic vs Cable Steering: Diagnosis and Service
... Steering failure at speed hurts people. **Safety:** never test steering fixes at speed with ...
Transom Rot Assessment: Do This Before You Hang an Engine
... engine on the lake bottom later. **Safety:** an engine on a failing transom can ...
Sea Trial Checklist for Mechanics
... away Weather, an overloaded boat, missing safety gear, or a customer who insists on ...
Yamaha WaveRunner No-Start Diagnosis
... No click = start switch, wiring, or safety interlock. 4. Starter itself: PWC starters live ...
Bilge Pump Setup Done Right
... That paper matters later. **Safety:** bilge water can carry fuel — check before creating sparks ...
Sterndrive Spring Recommissioning Checklist
... full range and holds position overnight. ## Safety systems - Bilge pump: lift the float, verify ...
Suzuki DF Lower Unit Oil Change and Water Intrusion Signs
... findings in writing on the invoice. **Safety:** remove the key and lanyard before working ...
Gelcoat Crack Repair: From Spider Cracks to Gouges
... Cosmetic mobile repair has limits — knowing them is professionalism. **Safety:** acetone, resins, and sanding ...
Exhaust Manifold and Riser Inspection on Marine V8s
... Quote engine assessment first. **Safety:** manifolds are heavy cast iron overhead work in tight ...
Boat Trailer Bearing Service (and Bearing Buddy Myths)
## Why boat trailers eat bearings Boat trailer hubs get dunked hot into cold water ...
Outboard Power Tilt/Trim Troubleshooting
... sometimes only come out in pieces. **Safety:** support the engine mechanically before any work ...
MerCruiser Winterization (Raw-Water-Cooled)
... heated storage — don't quietly hope. **Safety:** ventilate when running the engine, fuel and ...
Prop Selection Basics: Pitch, Diameter, and Hitting the RPM Window
... prop — stop selling props and diagnose. **Safety:** all WOT testing with a lanyard on ...
Sea-Doo Winterization Step by Step
... job (see the submerged-PWC article). **Safety:** run only with proper water supply and ...
Volvo Penta Sterndrive Annual Service Essentials
... economics before you invest service hours. **Safety:** support the drive during removal, disconnect the ...
Outboard Overheating: A Diagnosis Flow That Doesn't Guess
... existing damage before you touch it. **Safety:** never run without water supply even briefly ...
MerCruiser Raw Water Impeller: Alpha vs Bravo Differences
... never quietly reassemble known-bad parts. **Safety:** drives are heavy — use a drive dolly ...
Sterndrive Gimbal Bearing and U-Joint Noise Diagnosis
... re-quote before committing dockside hours. **Safety:** support the drive during removal; never put ...
Pontoon Boat Inspection: Logs, Leaks, and Pre-Season Checks
... log wastes the customer's money. **Safety:** never work under a pontoon supported only ...
Mercury Outboard Water Pump / Impeller Replacement
... have a bigger water intrusion problem. **Safety:** battery disconnected, lanyard off, and never spin ...
Outboard Compression Testing: How to Do It and Read the Results
... or repower, not a tune-up. **Safety:** ignition disabled and fuel off before cranking ...
Yamaha F-Series Four-Stroke Winterization
... rather than opening the case yourself. **Safety:** run on muffs with good water supply ...
Anodes and Galvanic Corrosion, Explained for the Dock
... replacement conversation, not a paint job. **Safety:** never disconnect shore power grounding conductors to ...
Honda BF-Series Carburetor Cleaning
... it to save the customer money. **Safety:** fuel vapor plus a garage water heater ...
Spring Recommissioning Checklist: Outboard Boats
... bilge pump tests — the two cheapest safety checks there are - Forgetting the drain plug ...
Sea-Doo Jet Pump Wear Ring Inspection and Replacement
... chewed-up pump wastes the labor. **Safety:** lanyard off, battery disconnected — a cranked engine ...
Evinrude/Johnson Two-Stroke No-Spark Diagnosis
... will burn the customer's money. **Safety:** CDI systems bite hard — use insulated tools ...
Ethanol Fuel Problems in Boats: What It Does and How to Treat It
... the bilge, is a stop-work safety issue. Explain, document, and do not start ...
Marine Batteries and Wiring Basics
... your name on the next failure. **Safety:** disconnect negative first, reconnect it last; batteries ...