DUO OR TRIO Q:
Doc, I am shopping for a larger twin-engine boat to replace my current single-outboard walkaround. One question I have is about the batteries. How many should a boat have?
Dean Morrison Orange Beach, Alabama hard to swivel, and they don’t seem to be correctly “seated.” They rock a little bit.
To be honest, I never sat in the seats while looking at the boat before I bought it. They have been this way since then. What’s the best fix?
A:
Pedestal seats as you describe usually have a screw knob that tightens or loosens their grip on the pedestal, and thus increases or decreases the swivel friction. Check that the screw is not missing, cross-threaded or something else.
I think your problem stems from worn bushings either inside the seat sockets or on top of the pedestals (depending on the type you have). These are plastic sleeves that simply slip on or in with a friction fit. You can purchase replacements from the seat-maker; look on the bottom or back of the seat for a logo or name. Or simply measure the diameter and ask a marine supply company to order them for you. As an example, Defender Industries (defender.com) has these listed at $19.15 each.
A: The sacrificial anodes protecting your boat’s underwater metals should be changed when they have lost half their mass.
This can be difficult to tell by looking, since the anode might erode through pinholes and lose mass while keeping its dimensions. I advise changing them unless they look basically brand-new. It is cheap insurance.
Check your anodes monthly while the boat is in the water.