DanD

Well crap loose those pounds and to could easily add another battery!!! LOL Dan...

There's nothing wrong with an honest man. Now go have a stick of celery and go fishing. LOL

The biggest thing with ethanol fuel is that it loves absorbing moisture, which we all know. My Honda 40hp had three carbs on it. If that motor sat for anymore then 2 weeks it was a complete dink to start. The fuel in the carbs (less then an ounce per-carb) are open to the atmosphere (all carbs need atmospheric pressure to function) and the ethanol fuel would go stale that fast. If I drained the carbs after using the motor for a day of fishing. The next time I would go out, I'd use the primer bulb to refill the carbs and that motor would start right up. I did also use Seafoam in every tank of fuel. The fuel in my sealed tank would stay good because I made sure that the fuel tank cap was actually working and sealing the tank when there was no draw from the motor. In other words a bit of prevention and a regiment of maintenance is all you need to deal with ethanol fuel. A lot of onboard fuel tanks have a fuel tank vent that is open; we've all seen it at the gas stations, where gas would spill out the vent when the fuel tank was full. That fuel in the tank is exposed to the atmosphere, depending on how humid it is that fuel can go stale if not used right away. We don't see this problem of stale fuel in the automotive industry. Emissions standards (no hydrocarbons are allowed into the atmosphere) require the fuel delivery systems to be completely sealed. It is called the evaporative emission control system (EVAP). This system works only with fuel injected motors. They don't need air pressure to atomize the fuel and can have sealed systems. At the end of this long post all I can advise is keep the fuel, you're using away from the air as much as possible... Just a side note and a bit of humor. My neighbor next door to me at the trailer park, buys a 2 gallon can of gas every spring. It's nicely sealed not to spill in his car. He opens the can, puts the pour spot on and fills his lawnmower; but leaves the gas can open for the rest of the season. A few weeks later he doesn't understand why the mower is hard to start and if it did start, it ran like a bag of crap. I'd go over drain the fuel tank and carb and then put gas in from my sealed can. Two or three pulls and it starts and runs like new. He doesn't understand why his fuel is bad. "I'll never buy gas from that place again" NO buddy seal you gas can!!! Dan...

My thinking is you cannot have to much battery, sitting in reserve! The average difference between a group 24 and group 27 is approx. 13-15 pounds. Look around your boat for things that you have in and get rid of the non essentials. You can likely find those few pounds. Dam if you're anything like me, loose that weight by going on a diet: the doctor, your wife and you'd feel better? LOL Dan...

Oh yeah their screeches can go right through you. Then when Auzzie feels safe and calm, he can sit nice and still on your shoulder, snuggle up to your cheek and coo like a dove in your ear. Look out though, if something scares him that ear he was cooing in will be ringing for a week. LOL Dan.. Sorry guy this is a thread about our dogs. Here's a picture right after I told Stax we had his boys removed. I think he was a bit upset with me?

My son when he was 6 or 7 did that. "Dad the only fish here are in that well thingy" LOL Dan..

There's another one here at the house that likes certain types of media. Anything to do with whistling, or chipping brings Aussie to life with his rendition of what he is hearing. I have had Aussie since he was a chick; just old enough to eat on his own. 23 years later he still loves sitting on my shoulder. He doesn't actually sing with what he hears; he just sort of screeches along with the tune. Drives the wife nuts!!! LOL Dan..

Now that is a Pizza!!! I haven't found and old style pizza here in London for years; not since Apollo Pizza that was run by an older Italian guy closed. Pizzas now I call vegetable pies, not bad tastings but not a 1960's or 70's pie! The one's I'm talking about, you had to hold the pizza box level or all the toppings would slide off to the one side. You needed a plate while you were eating your slice. If not the grease from all the beacon, ham and peperoni would be all over the table. Napkins were a must and a nice tall pile were usually needed. The cheese was so thick and stringy that it took an arms length pull for it to break off of the slice. Was it a healthy meal NOT; but man was it so good!!! Dan...

Yeah we have one of those Roombas and it has been great here at the house and the trailer. Old Rosco (rest in piece) was a Basset and Hound mix, he shed hair as if he was going bald; which he never did. There would be tumble looking weeds of hair balls rolling around our house. Gave up on sweeping; as soon as the broom went away there be more hair balls rolling around the floors. Set up the robot to run twice a day, giving it time to recharge in between. It did a great job fighting the hair balls and couldn't believe how much the catch bin could hold. Should have kept all that fleecy hair and spun it into yarn. A gross as that sounds, I bet it would have made a very warm comforter? LOL Dan...

So I'm not nuts???? I turn on the TV and look for animal vids; that no matter whatever animal is on, as long as it is running, playing, fighting, as long as what it on the screen is active. Stax will sit, watch, growl, whimper or bark and at times try and attack the TV? Never had a dog that could hold his attention that long watching TV?

Our newest family member is Stax. He's a miniature Pinscher. Mini Pins were originally bred to be ratters. It used to be a very lucrative business back when owning a pack of these dogs. The pack owner would rent out the dogs to farmers. When the farmers were cleaning out their grain bins or hay/straw stacks they have the dogs on the ready. These little dogs are so fast and for their size very strong that as mouse or rat nests were uncovered. These Pins would go on the attack, chasing down and killing any rat it could catch. There are vids out on YouTube showing how affective it is having them for this job. Now our Stax doesn't seem to have that killer instinct anymore but he is very smart and as fast as fast can be. If he wants something here in the house you'd better lock it away or he'll figure a way to get it. LOL Dan...

Not a very good pic but this was my best buddy Rosco. He was a Basset and a Bloodhound mix. Never had a dog that was so relaxed (Lazy) in all my life. Take him for a walk there was no pulling or tugging at the leash. He'd just walk at whatever pace you were at. He loved going for rides in my 50 Chevy, not sure why other then he could sit in the front passenger seat and could easily see out the windows. He had to go for the big sleep last year. He was full of what the vet told us was cancer. Sure do miss him he loved everyone; unless they went to touch his old Chevy. Pretty sure he thought the car was his and me his chauffeur. Dan...

Depending on how well the fuel can was sealed it might be ok to use; I wouldn't trust it as Fisherman said... I'd be using the stuff for fire starter. You'll know pretty quick if its volatility is good enough to burn in an engine. Now don't blame me if you loose your eyebrows and lashes, right after throwing the match at the gas soaked wood? LOL Dan...

Looks like you guys had a great time, congrats!!!! The vid reminded me of some of our trips. Some guys smoked the rest of us drank, while we all played poker. So much for a good night's sleep some of the guys played poker right into the morning. But they were ready to go out fishing at day break. They just left the table with their cards and the pot (Poker Pot LOL) sitting there for their return that night. Yeah they were zombies the second night; but the Bull about that day's fishing kept them awake. Well awake until they put some food in their bellies and then one at a time disappeared into their beds. LOL Good times, lots of fish caught (lots released even before slot size was a word) Kept enough fish for a fry up at home. Leaving us not afraid of showing a CO our catch, if we were to be stopped. Good times for sure! Thanks for the memories!!! Dan...

The pictures are amazing; keep them coming. Then the nostalgic talk on these places are my favorite threads to read. Thanks for posting Lew!!!! Dan...

Read through all the support you have received here and it's all good advise!!! A couple of things that haven't been mentioned though. You should flush out the gear case. The milkshake looking oil, will still be in there covering the inside of the case walls and the gearing. I would suggest filling the case with either automatic trans fluid, kerosene or even diesel fuel. Then with the case in neutral, spin the prop shaft with some form of rotating tool. Drill, impact driver whatever you have that you can attach a socket to it and the prop shaft nut. I'm not talking about spinning the shaft at 10 thousand RPM; but just fast enough to splash that solvent around. Afterwards drain the case, if it still looks milky repeat again until it looks clear. The three fluids I mentioned are are oil and will not hurt anything; just allow it to drain completely and then add the new gear oil. As for pressure testing the gear case, you can make up your own tester; I've made a few when I was playing with outboard motor repairs. Find yourself a cheep automotive cooling system pressure tester. Remove the rad attachment end of the tester's hose. Now find hollow fittings that will thread into the case's fill hole and that will fit the male threads of the tester's hose. Sometimes to coble this up can be difficult to find all the fittings. In that case, I'd find a longer bolt or screw for the fill hole. Cut the head off and then drill a small hold through the bolt/screw. Now thread the screw into the motor's case, leaving enough sticking out that you can hose clamp the tester's hose to the screw. Once ready do not pump anymore then about 8 or 10 pounds of pressure into the case. Have a spray bottle of soapy water ready and go nuts looking for where the leak MIGHT be? Sorry for the long post but how else could I have explained my thoughts? Thoughts of an old retired mechanic that sometimes comes out making perfect sense to me; but gibberish to others. LOL Dan...

Our guide we had (after him indulging in most of our adult drinks) gave us a demonstration of how he skinned a ling. He started by cutting a ring all around in the skin below the head. He then had a 4 inch spike (nail) put it through the head and then hammered the nail into the wall of the fish hut. He started pulling the skin down but being so slippery he couldn't do it by hand. Did he give up, no not a chance our drunken guide latched onto the shin with his teeth. Most of the crew were turned off by watching this idiot shin the fish and coming up with slim all over his face. I made the judgement call of filleting the skinned fish (5 of them) and giving them a good wash and tried getting the guys onboard to try it. It didn't take long after they smelt the butter and seasoning in the frypan to get them belly up to the table. Dan.. PS: Our guide's liver is likely on display at the Smithsonian; as the most petrified human organ ever documented. LOL

I remember Dick Lindsey(? not sure of his last name) the owner of Bear Creek Cottages back then (mid 70's). Saying that during the late 40's up until the early 70's Lingcod, Ling or Burbot whatever you want to call them, were very plentiful in Lake Nipissing. To quote him "they were laying on the bottom like stacked logs". Northern Ontario families were suffering through some very hard times after the war. The government set up commercial fisheries to catch and process ling to feed the local communities at a low cost. This went on for sometime until they all but wiped out Burbot and stopped fishing them commercially. Move up 50 year and we're hearing of more and more success sport fishing for them. So it sounds like they might be on their way back on Lake Nipissing? I've had Lingcod cooked in different ways; why they called it a poor man's fish is beyond me the stuff is amazing table fair!!! Dan..

A few years ago I was looking at buying a 19 foot Starcraft with a 150 Merc on it that the oil injection gear had stripped out. With a bit of research I found an electronic retro fit for the injection system. It consisted of a few sensors, control module, and electric pump. Everything else needed was scavenged from the original injection system. The deal fell through so I diidn't go any further with this retro fit system. But if you find that this engine's oiling system has failed it would be another fix? Sorry I don't remember what it was called but at the time it was an easy find while I was looking/googling fix options. Dan.

Looks good!!! When I smoke cheese I get a 3'X3' cardboard box. Poke 5/16" wood dowels through the box to hold the mesh grill. I then put the hose of my smoke generator into the bottom of the box. The box temperature doesn't get any more than 70-80 degrees but smoke like the devil. The last time I smoked some cheese, was on the deck of my trailer. One of my friends came running over thinking the deck was on fire. LOL Dan... PS: Got the idea of making a smoke generator courtesy of Big Cliff posting that he made one and explained it uses. Thanks Cliff.

Is there advanced tickets required? Or is it pay at the door? Plus I wouldn't know another OFC member if I tripped over them. Maybe have members show a red handkerchief in their shirt pocked. Anything red, even one of your wife's panties. Just to remind you of home. LOL Dan...

I'm retired now so I have the time. It's great you're helping where you can. One of my fears going to the "Mission" was being hit up with a bunch of bible thumpers. It hasn't happened? Yes there is some religion around the place but it's not pushed on anyone. Met the Pastor of the Mission and he cracked jokes with us???? LOL Dan...

Just wondering who else might be volunteering some of their time at the different help centers? I started volunteering at the Men Mission here in London. Went through the police checks and all the other crap making sure I wouldn't be a threat to the clients there. Been going there now for about 2 months now and totally enjoy it. Doing all kinds of different things. Basic electrical, plumbing, carpentry and a bunch of painting. Staring to get to know the staff members and a number of the clients/guest. Most of the guests are good people that are down on their luck. These guy are very nice and very humble. Stop and introduce yourself to them and it's like they've found a long lost friend. Makes me feel good that I put a smile on that persons face. Only after the short time I've been there I get hello's as I walk down the halls and they've remembered my name. Then there' are the druggies that come in from the cold to find a warm place to get high; they sneak their dope in. You can tell who's on a drug vacation when you see them and I try and stay clear and watch them very closely when we are in the same area. Last week the paramedics, fire department and police were called to the Mission. Some 16 year-old kid overdosed in his room. The paramedics got him stabilized but then the kid refuse to go to the hospital. What a shame he'll likely end up dead somewhere on the streets. Sorry for the last bit; but who else does volunteering. Dan...

I agree 100% It's called built in obsolescence. I don't think there's any manufacturer (From vehicles, right down to a wristwatch) out there that hasn't calculated what it takes for their unit to last for at least the length of the warrantee. After that they betting that when it does fail you'll come and buy another. If they built things that lasted 20+ years; they be out of business before we'd knock on their door to buy another. Dan...

A number of years ago I had an opportunity to go to Duncanby Lodge at Rivers Inlet BC. Duncanby Lodge I won the the trip through a promotion at one of my suppliers; I could have never afforded this trip on my own. That being said, it was an amazing fishing trip! I won't go into the lodge's accommodations, staff, 5 star meals from the kitchens, or the guides we had. Just check out the site. The fishing was unbelievably crazy. Huge salmon, numbers of Rock fish and then bringing up a Halibut from 300 FOW is unforgettable! Flew into Vancouver, spent the night, next morning got on a seaplane and flew to Northern BC to the lodge. One of the guys (a friend from here in London) that was on the boat with me caught a Tyee (A Salmon over 30 inches) and released it. The lodge promoted this by giving a hand carved wooden reel to whoever did this. My brother in-law lives in BC and wouldn't know which end of a fishing pole to hold. Such a great fishery that he's never thought of as a thing to do with his son, let alone for himself??? Dan...