I can’t help but think that the term “spare parts” suggests that they are “extra” which diminishes their importance – of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Lately, we have seen some yachts embark without proper spares outfitting. The result can lead to voyage interruption, require expensive parts logistics, or create equipment or [...]

Wing engines are notoriously under-operated, under-loaded, and under-maintained, all of which can lead to sudden and catastrophic engine failure. An under-used wing engine may exhibit out-of-spec oil and coolant chemistry, a dry and brittle raw water pump impeller, long expired zincs, and corrosion and pitting of engine internals. Recommended maintenance on diesel engines calls for [...]

Is it better to stock repair parts or invest in complete component replacement? We get a variation of this question quite often during spare parts outfitting. The question can apply to a wide range of equipment on the boat including engine-mounted raw water pumps, seawater pumps, toilet components, and bilge pumps. Repair/service kits for most [...]