I recognize that having remote gauges is a nice luxury, but it shouldn't be used as the excuse to not make regular engine room checks. While underway, I make a visit to the engine room hourly in rough weather and every other hour in smooth. The need for greater frequency in rough weather is that things can shift and Murphy mandates that if a belt is going to go it won't be when it's calm and comfortable. Not long ago I discovered that the fill on the top of one of my water tanks, located in the engine room, had a crack and leaked when the boat was pitching in a seaway; hadn't been noticeable when sitting still or when filling the tanks. I also use the opportunity to check the temps at different points of the engines when doing my check to make sure things are normal. When I installed my 15kw generator, the person I bought it from suggested not installing a remote panel, so that every time I start it I'll remember to check the fluids and belts, which I do. My 10kw is remote and gets checked less frequently than the big one, simply because it is so easy to push the button on the panel in the pilot house. Prevention is key to happy cruising and regular engine room checks have helped keep me in the proper frame of mind. Bob Phillips, Another Asylum, Tortola, BVI