Q & A
Soundings Magazine Answers Your Boating Questions
Chain Anchor rode
Q: Does chain anchor rode provide any elasticity, like nylon does?
A: Chain can provide great elasticity if used properly. You can attach a nylon snubbing line to the chain near the water surface, and this will add elasticity.
Saving fuel
Q: Is there anything simple and easy, yet highly effective, that I can do to save fuel?A: Yes, if you have an inboard with permanently submerged running gear. It’s simple and usually easy: Regularly clean your running gear — propellers, struts and shafts — of barnacles and other growth.
Starter trouble
Q: Why is my starter becoming unreliable?A: A starter is a relatively simple electric motor, but many things can cause it to fail or work intermittently. Here are just a few. Keep in mind that all starters are not constructed alike, and some of this discussion and terminology may not be appropriate to your starter. I’m just talking about a few basics.
Civil twilight
Q: What is civil twilight, and why should I care?
A: You’ve probably always known about civil twilight; it’s just that you didn’t know that it had an “official” name. As a boater or outdoors person, you’ve always known that there’s a time before the sun comes up and after it goes down that you can see well enough to do things outside.
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