Boat Maintenance and Miscellaneous Articles

General Interest

   Comparisons of Emergency Flares (Jeremy Bell and Janet Crane) A review of emergency flares based on results of shooting them off.

Trucking a Boat Across Country (Jeremy Bell) How we prepped 'Tardis' for shipping. Article includes the Tomco shipping checklist, current as of Jan 2006.

Electronic Charts for the Great Loop (Janet Crane and Jeremy Bell) Comparison of the various types of electronic charts and the sites from which they can be downloaded.

One Whistle or Two?  (Janet Crane) Description of the various sound signals you will hear along the way. 

Great Loop Cruising Guides (Janet Crane) A list of the cruising guides we found most useful during out Great Loop trip.

Cummins 330/370HP Diesel Engine

   Impellors (Jeremy Bell) - How to replace the impellor in the engine raw water pump.

   Raw Water Pump (Jeremy Bell) - How to replace the engine raw water pump.

    Valve Clearances (Jeremy Bell) - How to check and adjust the valve clearances on the Cummins engine.

    Cleaning a Twin Disc Transmission Filter (Jeremy Bell) How to clean the filter for the twin disk transmission.

    Cleaning the Aftercooler (Jim Shates and Jeremy Bell) How to clean the aftercooler (updated June 26, 2007)

Enhancements Installed on 'Tardis' AT34-48

   American Tug Owner's Experiences  - (Jeremy Bell and Janet Crane) Summary of owner's experiences technical notes on the AT34. 

    Fuel Polishing System (Jeremy Bell) How to add a fuel polishing system.

    AT 34 Indicator Light Panel (Jeremy Bell) How to add an indicator panel for navigation lights and bilge pump indicators.

    Nova Kool Fridge/Freezer Thumb Latches (Janet Crane) Installing backup thumb latches for a Nova Kool fridge/ freezer.

    Buell Air Horns (Jeremy Bell) Installing new Buell Air horns.

    Curing the Cockpit Swimming Pool (Jeremy Bell) How to stop water intrusion into the cockpit, lazarette, and cockpit locker. 

    Refrigerator Venting (Jeremy Bell)  Adding additional venting for a happier (and cooler) refrigerator. 

    Bow Thruster Maintenance (Jeremy Bell)  Diagnosing a Sidepower Bow Thruster and how to change the brushes (if needed)

American Tug 34 Maintenance 

Haulout Maintenance Tasks (Jeremy Bell) Notes on zincs, through-hull fittings and other underwater items that need to be checked on during a haulout. Based on notes taken during the maintenance session given by Kurt Dilworth at the 2006 AT Rondevous at the factory in La Conner, Washington.

Miscellaneous Maintenance Tasks (Jeremy Bell) Notes on maintaining the water pump, shower sump, inlet water strainers, engine alignment, refrigerator, condensation under the bunk, window shades, and window screens. Based on notes taken during the maintenance session given by Kurt Dilworth at the 2006 AT Rondevous at the factory in La Conner, Washington.

Drawer Slide Latch Replacement (Jeremy Bell) How to repair the drawer slides so that they once again will 'self-close.'