A backdown test can tell you a lot about what’s happening in the engine room. In this Trawler Buying Tip, Jeff Merrill explains how shifting from forward to neutral to reverse at very low speed can help evaluate the transmission and engine mounts. With a qualified person observing in the engine room, you can watch how the engine moves under load and look for signs that the mounts may need attention. It’s another useful check to consider when evaluating a trawler or conducting a sea trial. Follow JMYS for more practical Trawler Buying Tips from Certified Professional Yacht Broker Jeff Merrill. Learn more about JMYS and explore our trawlers for sale: www.JMYS.com #TrawlerBuyingTips #Trawler #SeaTrial #EngineRoom #BoatMaintenance #BoatBuying #JMYS #YachtBroker

Sometimes the simplest tools make engine room checks a whole lot easier. In this Trawler Buying Tip, Jeff Merrill shares an easy trick for removing a stubborn coolant expansion tank cap. A small soft rubber pad gives you extra grip and leverage, while keeping a shop rag handy makes it easy to take care of any drips. It’s an inexpensive addition to your onboard toolkit that can make routine engine room checks just a little easier. Follow JMYS for more practical Trawler Buying Tips from Certified Professional Yacht Broker Jeff Merrill. http://www.jmys.com #TrawlerBuyingTips #Trawler #BoatingTips #EngineRoom #BoatMaintenance #JMYS #YachtBroker #Boating

Every recreational boat has a Hull Identification Number (HIN), but did you know there may be more than one place to find it? In this Trawler Buying Tip, Jeff Merrill explains where to look for the HIN on the transom and why boats also have a second, hidden identification number. He even knows where the hidden HIN is aboard this Nordhavn 47…but that one is staying hidden! Knowing where to find and verify a boat’s HIN is an important part of identifying a vessel and reviewing its documentation. Follow JMYS for more practical Trawler Buying Tips from Certified Professional Yacht Broker Jeff Merrill. #TrawlerBuyingTips #Trawler #BoatingTips #HullIdentificationNumber #HIN #JMYS #YachtBroker #Boating

A good day on the water isn’t quite over until the boat is properly put to bed. In this Trawler Buying Tip, Jeff Merrill shares a simple habit that can make a big difference: keep a handy end-of-day checklist aboard your trawler. From tucking away the ensign and closing the appropriate thru-hulls to checking the toilets and putting Textilene window covers in place, a simple checklist helps make sure nothing gets overlooked. Every boat is different, so create a checklist specifically for yours, and make it part of your routine every time you leave the boat. Ready to find a trawler that fits the way you cruise? Connect with Jeff and the JMYS team at JMYS.com. Phone: 949.355.4950 Email: jeff@jmys.com #JMYS #TrawlerBuyingTips #trawler #boatlife #boating #trawlerlife #boattips #boatownership

A well-designed engine room makes routine maintenance easier, and sometimes the smallest details make a big difference. In this Trawler Buying Tip, Jeff Merrill explains why keeping shop towels or paper towels handy in the engine room is a simple but smart practice. On the Selene 57 Excalibur, there’s even a dedicated shelf with a built-in slot that keeps shop rags right where you need them for checking fluids, wiping up drips, and keeping the engine room clean. When you're looking at a trawler, pay attention to the little details that make maintenance and everyday ownership easier. Ready to find a trawler that fits the way you cruise? Connect with Jeff and the JMYS team at JMYS.com. Phone: 949.355.4950 Email: jeff@jmys.com #JMYS #TrawlerBuyingTips #trawler #boatlife #boating #engineroom #boatmaintenance #SeleneYachts

Your perfect trawler starts with knowing how you want to cruise. Great Loop? Coastal cruising? Bahamas? Extended passagemaking? Your cruising goals should drive the boat you choose—not the other way around. In this Trawler Buying Tip, Jeff Merrill explains why defining your cruising plans is one of the most important first steps in finding the right trawler. Ready to find a boat that fits your cruising goals? Connect with Jeff and the JMYS team at JMYS.com. Phone: 949.355.4950 Email: jeff@jmys.com #JMYS #boatlife #boating #JMYS #trawler #TrawlerBuyingTips

We love blue tape. It is helpful for labeling and reminding you of important items to track and monitor. In this Offshore Cruising tip called “Analog Gauges”, Jeff recommends using blue tape to help you mark your gauges for quick verification that all is well. Analog gauges have needle indicators that move to and remain in a safe operating “normal” position once they are warmed up and running. By marking the “normal” needle location with blue tape, you can quickly check that your gauges are where they should be. If you start running hot, losing voltage or oil pressure you have a simple pre-alarm warning. This same tip can be used for main engine analog gauges. Simply cut blue tape into small triangles and mark the normal needle locations for voltage, oil pressure, and coolant. This practice can be used for all of your analog gauges including proper pressure points for steering, fresh water, etc. A swift glance lets you verify your status. To learn more about safe travel at sea, please consider signing up for “Offshore Cruising – Preparing Craft and Crew” and you will learn why it has become one of the most popular classes Boaters University has ever offered. JMYS is proud to partner with Boaters University and we truly believe this course will be a huge help for all boaters who desire to and/or enjoy traveling offshore. To log in and sign up for the course, please go to this link, https://www.boatersuniversity.com/courses/offshore-cruising/?omhide=true JMYS clients can insert the discount code JEFFSAVES at check out to receive a 20% discount. Thank you for watching this special tip video, we welcome your comments. Please visit our website: https://www.JMYS.com Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffmerrillyachtsales/?fref=nf Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrillyachts Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmystrawlers/ To get in touch with Jeff Merrill: Mobile +1 949.355.4950 | Email Jeff@JMYS.com

You can sign up for Jeff’s Offshore Cruising course by going to https://www.boatersuniversity.com/ This Offshore Cruising Tip is called, “Through hulls”. Through hulls are vital operational features that every boat owner needs to understand. Many owners take through hulls for granted and don’t give them much thought. We’d like to encourage you to remember their vital roles. We recommend that you identify the location and purpose of each through hull on your boat. As part of your check lists and routines we suggest you test regularly and make sure each through hull is working – it can be freely opened and closed. When they aren’t used, they can “freeze” or become stubborn. Through hulls that supply raw water to strainers seem to get more service since they are closed off to clean out the strainers, then re-opened. Other through hulls, like deck drains, are rarely adjusted since they are almost always left open. “Exercising” through hulls keeps them active and ready. One tip we recommend is using a PVC pipe as a “long reach” to check those through hulls tucked away outboard and also as a “persuader” that can give you the extra leverage you need to nudge a through hull that has become stiff due to lack of use. Never force a through hull, you could break it and open the flow of water. It is a good practice to have soft wooden bungs and a soft blow hammer nearby to plug a broken through hull and stop the inflow of raw water. If your boat is hauled out you can be a bit more aggressive, but if they are really stuck, they may need to be disassembled or replaced. To learn more about preparing for safe cruising, we invite you to sign up for “Offshore Cruising – Preparing Craft and Crew” and learn why it has become one of the most popular classes offered. To log in and sign up for the course, please go to this link, https://www.boatersuniversity.com/courses/offshore-cruising/?omhide=true JMYS clients can insert the discount code JEFFSAVES at check out to receive a 20% discount. JMYS is proud to partner with Boaters University and we hope that you will sign up to take the course. We truly believe this course will be a huge help for all boaters who wish to travel offshore. Thank you for watching this special tip video, we welcome your comments. Please visit our website: https://www.JMYS.com Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffmerrillyachtsales/?fref=nf Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrillyachts Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmystrawlers/ To get in touch with Jeff Merrill: Mobile +1 949.355.4950 | Email Jeff@JMYS.com

You can sign up for Jeff’s Offshore Cruising course by going to https://www.boatersuniversity.com/ In February of 2019, Jeff spent three intense days in Jacksonville, FL to film a new Boaters University course. The result is a very comprehensive series of video clips to watch and documents to download. The online curriculum offered by Boaters University includes a series of video courses taught by well-known marine industry personalities who specialize in different fields. “Offshore Cruising – Preparing Craft and Crew” was created to help sailors and power boaters better understand how to get ready and what to expect before traveling offshore. During the filming of lessons, the film crew asked Jeff to shoot a couple of “teaser shorts” to explain some helpful tips for cruising boaters and give a taste of what to expect from the entire series. This Offshore Cruising Tip is called, “Labeling Your Boat”. As you become more familiar with your boat, you quickly realize there is a seemingly endless number of components, equipment and details to keep track of. To help you better understand and remember what everything is (and what is normal), we recommend that you arm yourself with a roll of blue tape and a permanent ink pen (Sharpie) to inventory and prepare a reminder label for crucial components. By creating simple identifiers – what it is, normal settings, what to monitor – you will become more aware of your boat and therefore become more in tune with safe operations and proper performance. Jeff’s clients like to tease him about the contagious amount of blue tape that he normally plasters all over and affectionately refer to it as “Merrill Pox”. You may be surprised how quickly you will appreciate these friendly reminders. This basic procedure to identify and monitor equipment is the foundation of “Dialing-in-your-boat.” Over time you can upgrade the blue tape labels with more professional looking label maker stickers. To learn more about preparing for safe cruising, we invite you to sign up for “Offshore Cruising – Preparing Craft and Crew” and learn why it has become one of the most popular classes offered. To log in and sign up for the course, please go to this link, https://www.boatersuniversity.com/courses/offshore-cruising/?omhide=true JMYS clients can insert the discount code JEFFSAVES at check out to receive a 20% discount. JMYS is proud to partner with Boaters University and we hope that you will sign up to take the course. We truly believe this course will be a huge help for all boaters who wish to travel offshore. Thank you for watching this special tip video, we welcome your comments. Please visit our website: https://www.JMYS.com Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffmerrillyachtsales/?fref=nf Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrillyachts Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmystrawlers/ To get in touch with Jeff Merrill: Mobile +1 949.355.4950 | Email Jeff@JMYS.com

You can sign up for Jeff’s Offshore Cruising course by going to https://www.boatersuniversity.com/ In February of 2019, Jeff spent three intense days in Jacksonville, FL to film a new Boaters University course. The result is a very comprehensive series of video clips to watch and documents to download. All of these are designed to help prepare sailors and power boaters who wish to travel offshore. During the filming of lessons, the film crew asked Jeff to shoot a couple of “teaser shorts” to explain a helpful tip for cruising boaters. This Offshore Cruising Tip is about Centering Your Helm and reminds you the importance of knowing your steering wheel position and rudder angle before you depart the dock. Boaters University offers a varied curriculum with instruction taught by well know marine industry personalities who specialize in different fields. JMYS is proud to partner with Boaters University and hope that you will sign up to take the course if you plan to do some cruising offshore. JMYS clients are able to use the discount code JEFFSAVES at check out when you subscribe to get a 20% discount. To log in and sign up for the Offshore Cruising course, go to this link, https://www.boatersuniversity.com/courses/offshore-cruising/?omhide=true When you go to the checkout to pay be sure to include the discount code. Thanks for watching this special tip video. We truly believe this course will be a huge help all boaters who wish to take their boats offshore. Please visit our website: https://www.JMYS.com Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffmerrillyachtsales/?fref=nf Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrillyachts Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmystrawlers/