Tips from the Marine Education Center

Why Marine parts? And why not automotive or truck parts? First, I will tell you that they might fit and might work, because marine engines are based on transportation engines. Transportations engines are from the auto or truck industry. But for SAFETY reasons, these parts are “marinized.” This means that any part of the engine that handles fuel, spark, electrical and cooling/water has to be made to a higher standard for boat engines. OK, so what does this all mean?

As an example, let’s look at V-8 Chevy starters. Automotive starters have NO Spark arrestor and may be made to a lower standard or remanufactured.  A Marine starter HAS a spark arrestor and normally is a new starter. Yes, they are way more dollars!  But because gas fumes on a boat tend to settle in the bilge, rather than being disbursed onto the road, the potential for explosion and fire is much greater.  And who wants to have their boat blow up? Spark arrestors should also be found on distributors, coils, alternators and any other source of potential spark or ignition on boats.

On the fuel/gas side, carburetors, fuel pumps, fuel lines, tanks, fittings, filters etc...All need to be marine rated. If for any reason there is a fuel leak in your boat, again, the vapors will find the lowest spot in the boat. This is normally the bilge around the inboard engine.  Remember, when the vapors build up to a right ratio of fuel to air mixture, we have a BIG BOMB!!! All we need now is a small spark. BOOM, your day is all messed up!  So you guys get the picture, right?

The Coast Guard, America Boat & Yacht Council and boat/engine manufactures all have a part in investigating mishaps on the water. Their investigations of these parts have been found to cause death or injuries to boaters.  It is also for these reasons that “marinized” replacement parts have been made to a safer and higher standard. That is why the parts carry the MARINE designation.


Mark Kimura, Honolulu Community College, Marine Education and Training Center