greenfshrmn

many 12/24v trolling motors are only 24v when you hit the full by-pass switch on the pedal. (Not something you use very often) The rest of the time it is a 12v motor with a variable speed...and I am not getting involved in the amps vs volts discussion!

I used to fish Lake Gaston in Va every spring. From Whitby, I crossed the border at the Ivy Lea bridge east of Kingston and then it was straight down I-81. Took about 12 hours to reach DC. Mapquest will show a shorter route via Buffalo that will also get you to Gettysburg in about 2 hours less time. Other than Gettysburg, there's not a lot of places to visit on the way there. Of course, D.C. has all kinds of interesting places. Be careful of driving in the city, they don't hang around ..it pays to have a good navigator sitting beside you! Have fun.

The bushing has pushed up out of the control arm. That rusty ring part is supposed to be inside the control arm which is now contacting the bracket creating the noise you hear. Needs a new bushing. Not a hard fix, but you'll have to remove the arm to do it properly.

I'm not sure that we are seeing rust, I think it may just be the colour of the fibre cam sprocket. Did it come out that clean or have you wiped all the oil off it? I'm wondering if there's any motor oil reaching the gears. Check to make sure that there is nothing preventing the camshaft from turning (other than valve spring tension)before replacing everything. Good luck...Oh yeah, don't foget those timing marks too~

I'm with Lew on this one. The bigger the screen, the better! My 50-something year old eyes are having problems with my 5"gps screen. You can't miss me on the lake, I'm the guy with his face pressed up to the screen trying to fiure out which pair of glasses work best while I idle around looking for that way point!

Lund makes a good product but it is not the best for all conditions. After 15 years of owning bass boats I downsized to a 17 ft Lund Angler. Had it for 5 years now. A very versatile boat but it is definately not a good rough water boat. Gets tedious having to wear rain gear in moderate chop all the time. (I've always regretted trading in the bass boat.) Just wondering...Is an 18ft Fisherman even rated for a 175 hp? I would suggest you take time with your decision.

Certain spinnerbaits are more prone to this than others. Terminator had issues with it and so did Booyah. Just try another brand.

A cash register, Lake gaston, Va...it was empty

Peter, this will be my 30th year as a high school shop teacher, very rewarding career..As far as teaching a trade, first of course you need to be qualified with a trade licence. There are really only 3 choices for teacher-training schools; Queens in Kingston, Windsor or the U of T. The technology teacher's course runs from September to April. If you are unable to take the time off work, there is one other option. If no qualified teacher applies for the position, you may be considered for it without your teaching degree. At that point, you would be expected to attend the 2-summer programme at either Queens or Windsor. There is usually a lot of competition for these placements, I would suggest that you have experience working with kids, coaching, volunteering at your local school etc. Good luck in your new career.

I'm guessing here that you mean a small piece of cardboard gasket, not a rubber seal? Unless you can actually see any evidence of a leak, it may just be a 'tag' sticking out a little from the original gasket that you never noticed before. I have one of these on each side of my Mercury's power head. If so, I wouldn't worry about it.

if you can afford it, there's no substitute for a custom cover, I think you'd be disappointed with the universal ones. A good one will probably cost between $500-$800. Have you priced them from Lund? I have one on my 17ft Pro Angler and it's excellent.

Just a heads-up as regards the inflateable lifejackets that are getting so popular these days. I was stopped by the OPP in my boat this evening. The officer informed me that as of June 1st it is a $250 ticket if your inflateable jacket is not being worn. It is not acceptable to just have the jacket handy, it must be on your body at all times when you are in the boat. There is no fine if you use the 'normal' jackets, but even they must be beside you, and not stowed in a locker. Of course, it goes without saying that we should all have our life jackets on at all times anyways. Safe boating.

Just 2 quick tips 1.) Whatever you shove down that dipstick hole...don't drop the end off it. 2) Is this a Yamaha? It's not uncommon for the filters to slowly drain back into the crankcase over a period of time. This gives the impression of being overfilled, even though the correct amount was added. Check the level 5-10 mins after the motor is shut off and see if it is at the max level. By the way, draining just a small amount of oil out using the drain plug is a really messy experience on those motors.

Be careful with Celebrex. It is a very effective product and works well for me, but my doctor says you can only take it for 18 months before it can cause heart failure. I'm learning how to live with arthritis!

Thanks for all the suggestions. Soldiers Field is a little too far, those bears are hibernating til the fall, anyways. Kinmount sounds good, although I'm not too sure about the Dump Lady, she sounds scarey. I'll let you know if I have any luck.

Hi folks, after viewing TJ's post about the bears (By the way, what a good looking family he has there) I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions of where to go to actually watch some bears (other than the zoo!) I had one cross the road infront of me in Haliburton last summer and that was the first one I'd seen in the wild. I have no interest in hunting. (Heck, at my age I even feel guilty when a fish takes a hook too deeply and I can't release it) I'm just interested in having the opportunity to view a black bear again and maybe take a few photographs. I live in the Durham region and have no problem driving north within reason. People say they are attracted to garbage sites at night but I have no idea where to go. Any suggestions?

Pete, everyone has their own versions of how to adjust the wheel bearings. I would strongly suggest you have someone do it for you the first time while you watch them carefully. If not done correctly, you are setting up yourself for disaster on the side of the road somewhere.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Looks like a roller trailer in the picture. My suggestion?..get rid of the roller trailer and get a bunk.

Excellent photographs!...Thanks for putting that together. I've often thought of doing a trip like that, maybe one of these days. Hope you don't mind me asking but are the guides paid a regular wage or by the clients that they take out? What amount of tip is considered fair for a successful day out? Thanks again.

OOps, sorry about the double post!

Hi HTHM, carpets, wiring, even gel coat chips etc can be relatively straight-forward to repair, but I would be very concerned about that crack in the hull ahead of the pad. I learned the hard way that it is very difficult to repair cracks and not have them return again soon afterwards. That crack in the hull looks really bad and even seems to have rust showing through it from the insides, which makes me wonder how long the boat was in the water allowing the fibreglass to soak up the water. You also haven't mentioned about the work required on the motor, steering cables, steering helm etc. They are all very expensive parts. Personally I would be looking for another project. I don't doubt that you have the determination to get it done, I just wonder if you will see the rewards at the end. Best of luck.

Hi HTHM, I don't want to sound pessimistic here but I would be concerned about that crack in front of the pad. All the carpet, wiring etc is straight forward to repair. However, I learned the hard way that it is very difficult to repair cracks in gel coat and not have them return soon again afterwards. That one on the pad looks like it even has rust coming through it from the interior.