It’s a concept that’s commonly misunderstood, and one that seems counterintuitive; the lighter the load on your engine the greater the likelihood of developing problems.
A few years ago, the owner of a new trawler visited the boatyard I manage. He sat in my office and dictated a moderately long list
Cavitation erosion (and the related erosion or impingement corrosion) is an infrequently discussed yet frequently misunderstood phenomenon that can lead to metal damage and failure. It can afflict everything from engines and generators to plumbing systems and propellers. Cavitation is the formation of voids or bubbles in a liquid that are a result of forces that act upon the liquid. Its important, however, to distinguish these voids from common bubbles as the latter contain a gas, often air, while the former contain nothing. That is, they are vacuum bubbles. Interestingly, the formation of the cavitation void is tantamount to boiling because the boiling point of a liquid drops as the pressure drops. (Its why mountaineers use pressure cookers; at a high altitude and therefore lower atmospheric pressure, water boils at a temperature lower than 212°F.) Thus, cavitation bubbles are essentially a result of low temperature boiling induced by low pressure. Cavitation may occur as liquid moves swiftly around constrictions and through orifices, particularly when such orifices change shape from small to large, as in water moving past a gate valve, or worse, through a partially opened valve. These conditions create a Venturi effect and the rapid change in pressure is conducive to the formation of cavitation bubbles.
Hull No. 20 of the builder’s contemporary, full-displacement series is awash in customization.
How to navigate the long haul with ancient wisdom.
I used AI to chart a course through a notorious waterway. The results were unusable.
This boat is a modern riff on an old-timey classic.
Why modern boat handling tools make us better and safer boaters.
A brisk November run from Connecticut to New Jersey showcases just how comfortable the Sabre 51 Salon Express really is.
A speed trap delays a morning boat shoot, leading to an unexpected lesson on patience.
From hull design to onboard flow, these legendary powerboats proved that great cruising never goes out of style.
Easy Waste Tank Vent Filter
Apollonio & Vripack Custom Power Cat
