I spent $15,000 on a new four-stroke engine that ran fine when I bought it less than a year ago. Now, I can only get 3000 rpm before it starts missing and popping. I miss my two-stroke! What's going on?

My first thought is that a rev-limiter is kicking in at 3000 rpm. Now, why is the limiter kicking in? Maybe because the oil was changed and the reminder wasn't reset. Maybe because the engine is overheating. Maybe because...

I saw a boat for sale for $800 and I want the motor. It's a 1993 40 hp Suzuki. I was told that Suzukis are great motors, especially the older ones because they were made from stainless steel and brass, which made it a motor that will practically last forever. Is a '93 made with this same construction?

The Suzukis are great engines. I've been associated with them since the 1970s, and problems have been few. The 40 was one of my favorites, easily used as a workhorse for watermen for runabout power. Built from about 1980 to...

The winters are mild enough in my area that freeze damage isn't normally a problem, but I just discovered a burst water pump in the bilge. In the future I want to heat the bilge and engine compartment to prevent any issues; what's the safest and most efficient heater for an inboard engine boat?

I never had a problem with the old classic - a low-wattage lightbulb - but the Coast Guard and American Boat & Yacht Council now recommend against using them because they present a potential fire hazard. Forced-air...

I'm moving to the coast in Rhode Island and taking my 24-foot center console with me. I'm going to keep the boat in the water, so I have to paint the bottom, which has never been painted. What's the procedure?

There are five basic steps: cleaning, degreasing, sanding, priming and painting. First, wash the bottom thoroughly with soap and warm water. Then wipe the surface with a solvent wash or degreaser to remove traces of waxy...

My teenage son and I are starting to look for a used boat we can go out fishing on together. We want a trailer, too, and a lot of the boats we see include one. What do we look at in a used trailer? Can you publish a quick guide to small boat trailer inspection?

Check the frame for signs of stress such as buckling or wrinkling, cracks and corrosion. Pay special attention to welds and attachment points. Inspect the U-bolts that hold the axles in place. Again, looks for signs of...

I'm looking for the best fishfinder in the $500 range. I'm intrigued by the new Humminbirds and 3-D color monitors, but don't know how important these features are for an average Joe like me. Could you help me prioritize my fishfinding needs?

Hey Average Joe - I'm afraid that Humminbird discontinued inexpensive 3-D models, like the ($500) Matrix 47, so there aren't any in your price range. In fact, now you'd have to upgrade to its Si (side-imaging) units to get a...

I use Slick 50 in my pickup and both my cars and like it very much. It reduces friction and gives me a ton of power. Can I use it in my 1993 19.5-foot Glastron Fish & Ski with a 4.3L V-6 with 250 hours on it?

The short answer is "yes." Just remember that because the way you operate a boat is so much different from the way you operate your pickup, you won't be able to see the performance benefits that you'd see in something like...

I've noticed carbon deposits starting to form on the spark plugs of my outboard. What's the best/easiest way to clean them off, and how do I keep them from coming back?

The first line of defense is quality engine oil, generally offered by the manufacturer, whether it's the latest TC-W3 (two-cycle) or FC-W (four-stroke) oil. Next, consider using a liquid "Carbon Guard" or similar in the...

One of my friends tells me I need a water pressure gauge on my Yamaha-powered Century. I'm certain he wouldn't steer me wrong, but I'd like to know why I "need" it.

Unless the gearcase water pickups are running perilously close to the surface of the water where they can start sucking air instead of water (like a bass boat/jack plate situation), as long as the water pump is in decent...

For some time it has seemed like no one could hear me on the VHF radio. I thought it was an antenna problem, but I've noticed that the LCD screen fades whenever I transmit. Does this mean my radio needs to be replaced?

Probably not; it sounds like you simply have a bad ground or a flakey connection somewhere. To find out for sure, run temporary leads from the battery directly to the radio. I'll bet the screen stops fading, and other...