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& Equipment

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Safety Equipment &
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Maneuvering, Anchoring
& Enroute Checks

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& Narrows

Distances Reference
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Information

Vessel Delivery
Selecting a Vessel
Selling Your Boat
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Purchase Checklist

Troubleshooting

Basic rules of thumb:
    Keep bilges clean and dry.

    Understanding how a piece of equipment or system functions is key to troubleshooting its malfunction.

    Most electrical problems are caused by bad connections.

    Many problems can be solved by turning the unit off and back on. In essence hitting the reset button.

    Smell can indicate problems. Coolant, overheated batteries, fuel system, black water all have definite smells.

Basic Electrical:
    Cycle on/off switch then check to ensure:
      AC/DC power supply
      cycle breaker
      check power connections

Water in the bilge:
    Fresh or Salt: Taste test .Possible sources?
    Fresh: Fresh water system, Deck drain system
    Salt: Thru hull, Raw water cooling, shaft packing

Coolant: Will have definite color and smell.
Fuel: Typically valves and fittings. Color and smell.
Oil: Clean or Dirty? Trace back to source.
    Clean: Transmission. Hydraulic. Steering.
    Dirty: Engine or genset
Hydraulic oil: Trace back to source:
    High pressure lines and fittings are typical sources.
    Color of oil may also indicate source.
    Stabilizers, thrusters, anchor windlass, boat davit,
    Steering system may have different color fluid. (Hydraulic)

Hydraulic Systems:
    Check power switches
    solenoid switches

Battery Systems: House, Start
    Check Main DC breaker at Main Panel
    Check DC voltage
    Check Main Battery Switches
    Check Battery Connections

Inverter:
    Won’t Charge:
       Check Inverter breaker
       Check AC in
       Cycle unit on and off. Cycle Charge on and off
    Won’t Invert:
       Cycle Invert switch on and off
       Check main DC power to unit
       Check power selector switch on main panel if present

Shore Power:
    Check boats main panel. Ensure Shore power is properly selected.
    Dock breaker
    Boats’ main breaker (usually located near shore cord entry)
    Test dock plug, test/inspect shore cord.

Genset Power:
    Check boats’ main panel.
    Check main breaker on Genset.

Genset shutdown:
    Overheat: Impeller, Raw water supply, Sea strainer, Coolant.
    Oil Pressure: Oil level, Bad sending unit.
    Raw water supply: Sea strainer, Impeller.
    Shutdowns maybe malfunctioning.

Watermaker:
    Valve alignment, pressure setting/valve, filters, salinity level, high pressure pump oil level.

Fresh Water System:
    Turn Power off and back on to Pump. Hit reset if present.
    Check water tank level.
    Check valve alignment.
    Check backup pump.
    Check pressure switch.

Head Systems: Components to check.
    Vacuflush: Rubber duckbill valves. (can become clogged)
    Check for vacume leaks.
    Check pressure cutoff switch on accumulator vacume tank.
    Headhunter: Momentary touch switch. Adjustable timer.
    Water supply selonoid.
    Tecma: Duel switch/timer control head.
    Built in water supply selonoid and Macerator pump.

Holding Tank Discharge:
    Ensure overboard discharge valve is open.

Air Conditioning:
    Control head operation.
    Ensure system is selected to cool or heat.
    Raw water cooling pump.
    Raw water seastrainer.
    Air handler screens. Check if dirty.
    Compressor may need recharging.
    Check circulation water level and pressure.
    Circulation water pump.

Electronics:

Radar:
    Check proper adjustment of:
       Gain, Sea Return, Rain, Tune.
    Adjust all for best picture.
    Note: Any one of these can eliminate the picture.
    Check for accurate alignment of the radar picture.

Depth Sounder:
    Check gain adjustment.
    High frequency for shallow water.
    Low frequency for deep water.

VHF-FM Marine Radio:
    Check for TX indicator when Mike is keyed.
    Test with other radio if possible.
    Check Antenna connections.

AutoPilot:
    Check or adjust rudder settings.
    If the pilot has trouble holding a course or struggles
      In a following sea, the settings need to be increased.
    Check rudder feedback unit next to steering gear.
    Compass may not be properly swung.

Ask the Captain
The Checklist
Purchase Checklist


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