Know what is below the waterline BEFORE you buy a boat. Many boat buyers buy their perfect boat for style, comfort and fuel consumption. But what is below the waterline of your boat? Learn more about your boat before you head out on your first of many adventures. And, know what is below the waterline before you take it to the boatyard for service
Here Is What You May See
Keep scrolling and tour our LARGE photo array of what’s below the waterline on most cruising boats. You will find thrusters, propeller systems, stabilizers, exhaust systems, shaft splicers, cutlass bearings, bulbs and more. YES, we even want to remind you about the condition of your tires on your trailer or truck. If you’d like to learn more about any of these items please Ask Captain Chris by email I’d like to learn more about…. or call 772-205-1859.
Take A Boatyard Tour
And consider joining us in-person for a boatyard tour on the Sunday morning following any of our 2-day seminars in Vero Beach. If you can’t make the in-person tour then see what else you can learn about what’s below the waterline of your boat by watching this video pre-hurricane. This walk through a boatyard video, Boats in the Road is longer than most of our real world clips but if you want to learn more then this should really get your mind thinking: What about…..?
But Wait! There’s More!
We now offer Vimeo, a video rental service you can direct download and watch our entire video collection. Rent or own. Check back frequently to see our newest posts including detailed training trips aboard popular cruising boats, Fuel Filter tips and more. Click here to see what’s new with Vimeo. Ask Captain Chris!
Don’t Forget the Photos
Warning bow thruster below!
Dinghies and kayaks beware of prop wash.
Bow thruster with scalloped bow area to prevent cavitation when underway.
Bow thruster with debris protection bars. Sometimes this works. sometimes small stuff still gets through.
A stern thruster.
A direct side view of the stern thruster.
Stern thruster and prop pocket – tunnel, single engine boat, trim tabs outboard
Five blade prop thru the keel.
Three blade bent prop and V strut support.
Single engine boat with hole in rudder to slide propeller shaft through for service.
Volvo IPS 500 with duo props and NO rudder.
Volvo IPS 500 PODs show exhaust port at rear of POD.
Active fin stabilizer with Lobster Trap deflector device. You can also see a Sea Chest screen.
Another stabilizer with a different style Lobster Trap deflector. NOTE the strap.
Scheduled maintenance seal replacement. See the splined shaft.
Main engine exhaust with smaller water drains within the upper rim of the exhaust hose. These are for air conditioner cooling water and scuppers.
Another version of the main engine exhaust with smaller water drains for air conditioner cooling water and scuppers.
Underwater exhaust, prop pocket, rudder and trim tab.
Generator engine exhaust at waterline to reduce fumes in cockpit and stabilizer indicator for boatyard.
Same boat, larger view with stabilizer indicator.
Main engine exhaust, strap here to avoid the skeg when hauling out.
Long propeller shaft with 2 struts for support, an intermediate and a primary V strut.
Intermeditae strut and zinc on shaft.
Intermediate strut shows wear marks on shaft.
Intermediate strut with a shaft splicer for long 2 part shaft.
Primary strut V style at the propeller end, NOTE the shaft zinc.
Primary traditional I strut. NOTE zincs are too close together.
Traditional strut, shaft removed showing grooved Cutlass Bearing. Look to see where the shaft enters the engine room. middle right.
SPURS line cutter between the strut and prop. NOTE the special zinc on the SPURS.
Prop pocket. NOTICE the shaft and rudder are out of alignment. This is intentional to remove the shaft without dropping the rudder. Great Idea.
See anything strange? 1 rudder and 2 propellers. Most unusual on pleasure boats in the US.
Great idea to protect your dinghy while the catamaran is in the boatyard.
Bulbous bow has the intention to reduce porpoising in rough seas.
Not really below the water line but out on the swim platform. Racoon paw prints. Lock up your cookies and chips.
Top right is the plug to carry a spare propeller shaft when cruising in the tropics where you may not be able to find a replacement.
And for those of you still having fun with your trailer boats-Check the date codes on your trailer tires.
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