DVD Video: Spring Commissioning and Winterizing Your Boat

Publisher: Bennett Marine Video

Publication Date:

CA Library Reference: 16743

Prolific American marine film producer Bennett Marine boasts a catalogue of over two thousand videos. Their DVD on winterising and commissioning is a step-by-step guide to the process complete with exhaustive lists of tools required and work to be completed. Dealing with engines occupies about half the film and the remainder features a comprehensive set of tasks ranging from interior and exterior cleaning to electrics, plumbing and so on.

To avoid all this becoming too daunting, the film is presented by an extravert couple - “Hi I’m Bob, and I’m Carol” - who enthusiastically demonstrate what needs to be done on their powerboat. This has a petrol inboard and stern drive so not everything will be relevant to those with other configurations although diesel engines and outboards are also mentioned briefly.

The film covers a lot of ground and includes much useful information and advice along with some perhaps unnecessary items such as demonstrations of how to clean cupboards and shelves. Conversely some important tasks which would benefit from more detailed explanation are glossed over: at the end of the brief section on diesels we are simply told “now you will have to bleed the engine — check your instruction manual”. To be fair though, Bennett Marine also produce several DVDs specifically on engine maintenance which deal more thoroughly with such topics. - NH