Refit and Upgrade

When the shine of your boat’s topsides starts to fade, consider a new coat of paint. To help in the decision, we weigh the pros and cons of attempting the job (or some of it) yourself.

Multiple outboards produce plenty of 12-volt amps. Use them to power your ship’s systems and you could potentially lose the genset.

The beloved Sea Lion II, a 1963 custom Whiticar, is given a new life after a passion-filled refit that nearly stalled out.

Want to get off the grid, but stay in the loop? Here are a few workarounds to keep your lines of communication open while cruising.

Returning an older boat to like-new condition is usually less costly than buying a new one, and it’ll make you the envy of the marina. But it comes with its own set of challenges.

Stripped down to her bones and built back up again, this 30-year-old Bertram is all new, from stem to stern. A dream realized for a first-time boat owner.

Sometimes you just want to cast a little shade over the cockpit. We wade through all of the options.

Backed by its previous experiences with electric marine propulsion, Vetus introduces two new, innovative “e-mobility” products.

Nothing good happens when water seeps into cored laminate. Nip this intrusion in the bud or pay the piper later.

Nano ceramic coatings promise the ultimate gelcoat protection. Mike Smith investigates if it lives up to the hype.

Volvo’s Assisted Docking aims to take the fear out of docking.

Bow thrusters are not just for bigger boats—today, there’s no reason not to have one on all but the smallest of vessels.

With the passage of time, nonskid decks are the first thing to go. Turn back the clock with these helpful tips.

Inside tricks from the pros on maintaining your boat's stabilizer system.

Dometic’s latest product turns mechanical steering into power steering.

With more new boaters on the water than ever before, many are looking to upgrade their craft with a bow thruster. We shadow the installation of a Vetus-Maxwell thruster to see how painless this project can be.

Electronic steering is smoother and does away with hydraulic lines and pumps.

Set your boat up for extended cruising now, and the next time the seagull hits the fan, you can quarantine at sea.

Lead-acid batteries are so 20th century; lithium’s the future. Making the switch is costly, but there are major benefits.

An all-inclusive security system protects boaters against would-be thieves and their nefarious plans. Here's what you need to know.

When the new owners of Billy Joel’s classic commuter wanted to make changes to its design, they wisely tapped the original designer to help achieve their goals.

Sure, hullside windows let beatific visions of natural light into staterooms. But what happens if you break one?

We look through it, and celebrate the light it brings in. But glass on board yachts is becoming a technological marvel.

Swapping out old outboards isn't as simple as you may think, but it's worth the effort and expense to upgrade to high-tech motors.