The way forward to going cruising and living aboard as well as the constant problem solving is to share knowledge and share problems on the liveaboard boat forum. There is always someone with an answer to your troubles or has good advice from lived experience. Your questions can include technical issues that include electrical and electronics issues, water system problems, or engine and drive train challenges, or most any other system problems.
My name is John Payne, and some of you may already have one of my books on marine electrical and electronics systems. The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible now in it’s 4th Edition and out soon is completely revised and updated. So where do you start? There is a lot to know. I get asked a lot about what is the problem, and more importantly and how to fix a problem. I am a yacht owner and liveaboard myself and that’s why I have published a dozen books to tell you all that you need to know about how to take care of your cruising yacht systems.
This is the best cruising and liveaboard boats forum on the web, it's yours! Are you looking for good advice about yacht systems, or boating equipment? Why not invest in one of my books? It will save you money and valuable time. From marine electrical and electronics systems to plumbing and sail handling, this is the place to find it. If you are purchasing a used liveaboard boat, or have a liveaboard boat for sale, or plan to take a yacht charter, all the information you will need is here at the boat forum.
I am not a self proclaimed guru or an armchair expert. I am a qualified and practicing marine electrician and engineer, and also a marine surveyor. I do this for a living, it is my day job, and also I sail and cruise my own yacht for fun! I have built, lived aboard and cruised several yachts and the chances are that your problems have been my own. Let this website help you with the liveaboard boat forum! Thousands of people will input with answers to your problems.
What is your cruising boat or liveaboard boat problem? If you know what the problem is then you are halfway towards finding the right solution. Why not choose from one of my many books to help you fix your problems. Here are some hot topics for the liveaboard boats forum:
Batteries. The hot topic is Lithium-ion batteries along with all the other types from AGM to Gel.
Battery Charging. How to keep these batteries charged, and solve battery charging problems
Lighting Systems. About light issues such as LED lights and how to keep everything well illuminated even on the darkest night
Boat Wiring. How to keep all your electrically powered systems operational and how to locate wiring faults when it does not.
Marine Diesel Engines. How to make sure your diesel engine starts every time and how to fix it when it doesn’t, and how to maintain them.
This is just a fraction of the thousands of questions that were posted on my various forums. It is hoped that this NEW liveaboard boat forum does the same.
The liveaboard boats forum is also a great place to also look for spare parts that are hard to find, share your boating problems and experiences with others, ask questions, and there is no such thing as a stupid question here, also share stories and more about related topics and a lot more. Create your own web page every time you submit an article and include great low resolution images as well.
Forum Rules! Yes, there are a few basic rules when posting!
1. DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPITALS, BOLD and DON’T SHOUT! as it will not be posted. Don't use any HTML code as it will be deleted, so many people still try and add in a sneaky link to somewhere else, or add HTML code for bold, do not do it please!
2. Don't use bad language or profanity as it will not be posted. No need to be impolite.
3. Please at least use a first name and location with your email address in the notification page, so you will get a message when someone leaves a comment.
4. You need to insert a couple of basic sentences describing your problem and add an image if possible as it helps others. If you insert just a couple of words using SMS text messaging speak the system will reject it. Please give a very detailed description, we can’t solve problems if we don’t have all the information.
5. Don't Spam the site with multiple submissions, if you post 2-3 times I will not waste my time with it, posts get moderated and reviewed so don't expect an instant post. Posts are not instant and may take a day or two, as I have to moderate posts given not everyone plays the game and troll posts are weeded out.
6. We can receive dozens of posts a day and it is quite impossible to reply to more than just a few given this is a free site and I don't have enough time given I have a day job and a boat to look after.
7. It helps if you start the headline with your boat type and a simple two word description such as Yacht Battery Problem, Rigging problems. Save the problem description to the text, more detail means better answers. Don’t add in your email address into the post text for security reasons.
Post your message and if you properly describe your problem, add a useful image or two, then you have a chance to get a useful response on this forum. Always great information on fishing and boats.
Do you have a problem to share about your boat? Share it!