DanD

I have a test barrel here at the shop (South end of London) that I’d be willing to check it over for you? It would need to come here thou, where I could pull the plugs and do a compression test, check the lower end for water contamination and of course run the thing through its passes. Let me know. Dan.

Congratulations Mike well deserved. If it wasn’t for your reports here, my brother and I would have never gone on our fly-in tip this past summer. Fly-ins always seemed just out of our comfort zone, not knowing what to expect. After reading your report and then talking with you on the phone; we knew we were going as soon as my brother’s health would allow. Your writing puts out a real life account of your trip(s), not just the propaganda that most places write for themselves. Good luck on many more articles; but don’t forget your reports here, giving us a preview of them. Dan.

Does the decline in stocks and the new reg's have anything to do with this? http://remaxtwincity.ca/viewlisting.php?id=467540 No disrespect meant; it must be pretty hard to stay in the game, when everything seems to be stacked against lodge owners. I’ve also seen a listing for Memquisit; what a shame if these places fell into the wrong hands and they started building condos. Things are always changing; some for the good and some for the bad. Dan.

Give the snow tire law a couple more seasons to prove itself out before stating how well it’s done. I haven’t researched this but I don’t believe they implemented a minimum tread depth for winter tires, as to where a snow tire looses its effectiveness. There’s nothing here in Ontario to facilitate what a worn out snow tire is; it falls under the same rule as a summer and all-season tire. No two wear bar indicators shall touch the road surface in two adjacent treads; in other words almost a banana skin. Yes people are following the law by having winter designated tires on their vehicle at a certain date; but there’s nothing stopping them from spinning these snow flake tires all year round. Let’s see what this law has done for the winter accident stats after a couple more winter seasons, when all these new snows are 75% or more worn out. I run a garage; we do a lot of seasonal tire changes and I can tell you first hand that some of these used winter tires that we’re installing are just a pacifier for the owner. Anything worn past 70% (and I’m being generous here) tread on a winter tire is no better then running a decent all-season. Yes the rubber construction is different for a winter tire; but a banana shin is a banana shin; there’s a reason snow tire tread depth starts life out at 12 - 14/32 and summer/all-season at 8 - 10/32. I’m all for winter tires but they have to be treated and replaced like a winter tire; you can’t run them down like a summer and still have the traction. Dan.

Owning a boat is like owning any other form of toy; if you get the use out of it, it’s worth its weight in gold. I really miss and at times regret selling my 16 footer; but then when I sit back and think of the times that I would have been able to use it this past season; not many for whatever reasons? Priorities change and I’m hoping that someday when things begin to slow down for me; I’ll have the health; want, time and money too own my own boat again. So to answer your question, is it worth it? Dan.

Yea I’ve talked with Russell a couple of times when a good friend of ours introduced us to him at the original restaurant and then the next time at his new place. You wouldn’t know by his mannerism that he was so well off. He sat down at our table and seemed truly interested in getting to know who you were. It was around this time of year the first time we met him and he gave us a tour of the place. It’s just unbelievable the way he has the place decked out for Christmas. I don’t think there’s an empty corner or square foot of bare wall that doesn’t have some form of decoration on it. Life size toy soldiers standing at attention and this one manikin in the front foyer dressed as a waiter; I’ll bet you’ll take a double look at it just to make sure he/it wasn’t real. LOL The man truly seems legit with his feelings towards his community. Dan.

I didn’t mean you’d pay for the damages along with premiums; but maybe a percentage of the damages, arrived at the premiums you’ve already paid in? In other words you’re legally able to drive and a victim of an accident that you’re liable for is covered to continue on with compensation. Yes high risk for you to choose this option; but an option that would be available; others around you (people you’re liable to) are still covered. That’s the essence of this law; so that innocent people are monetarily compensated, if you have a brain fart. With things the way they are, independent insurance companies know we are forced to deal with one of them and as a collective they charge us as they please. Dan.

I don’t know or understand; but the government has made it law that we must have auto insurance (which everyone should but that’s beside my point); so why doesn’t the government offer us a bare bones liability insurance? I’ mean something that would be affordable to anyone; but if you were the liable party in an accident, then you’re on the hook to them like income tax, something that doesn’t go away until paid? There’s probably thousands of reasons why they shouldn’t; but to make a law that we need to purchase something and then stand back and let the vender of this product run wild? Dan.

On the newer GM vehicles the Trac/Stability on/off button function (if there is one) is there just incase you get stuck and need to rock the vehicle back and fort to get moving. Once the wheel speed (not vehicle) reaches 25mph it automatically turns back on. I’m not sure when they changed to this system; but my 2005 Avalanche, if I turn the system off it stays off regardless of speed; but will automatically turn itself back on after a restart of the engine. I think GM changed the on/off function too this for the transmission’s sake; no more 100mph wheel spins trying to get out of a snow bank. GM was tired of rebuilding trany’s under warrantee because people would lie and say no I didn’t get stuck and over heat the transmission; honest. Like it or not you’d better get use too using the systems because they’re here to stay. And as far as disabling the system; you’re not going to be able to do that anymore on some vehicles because portions of the base brake’s hydraulics are now electronically controlled with something called “dynamic rear brake proportioning”. Disable the ABS, traction or stability by pulling a fuse or wheel speed sensor and you MAY not have any or every little rear brake function. That also means no more ignoring the tell tail lights on our dash; if a warning light comes on you’ll barely be able to drive the thing (power wise) because the electronics will stick the vehicle into limp in mode. Dan.

Just a question but if the hard water is corroding the pressure tanks that often; why wouldn’t you have bought a plastic tank? They seem to be out there (google search); is there something about them that are no good, other then possibly their cost? Dan.

Both my patents were in their early and mid teens, living in occupied Belgium during WWII. My dad at the time was too young to be in the army but him and his dad (grandpa fought in the trenches during WW1) did their part with the underground, working with the local resistance groups. Grandpa had a farm that the Germans picked clean of anything that was of value to them; but they never found the entrance to the basement that was under the barn. That’s where grandpa and dad hid Canadian and British service men that had escaped from POW camps or shot down airmen. They would hide these men there until they got forged identification papers for them; that’s so they could get to the coast, across the English Channel and back to England. So Remembrance Day for me isn’t just the enlisted people that served, it’s also the civilians that put their lives on the line too support and care for them. There was no prison for civilians caught working with the alies; they were shot on site. Dan.

It’s great that this nimrod didn’t spoil the day for you and what a way to host a fishing trip by getting someone’s PB. Brian maybe bring that tire down to the shop. I know it’s not the best to repair sidewall damage; but if it’s a clean puncture? I might be able to put a combi radial patch in it and you can use it for an extra spare; a plain steel rim is cheap? Dan.

Great story Mike; I’m still chuckling. I wonder if it was related to the little guy in the picture; at the very least it sounds like he had a big a set. LOL Dan.

Oh Man; I’ve always been a GM guy; BUT. I went for a ride and checked out the toys in Brian’s (SlowPoke) new Dodge this week and now having a look at yours Lew; I’m starting to slide towards the dark side. But I haven’t seen a new Chevy, all decked out yet so I might still be OK. Nice truck Lew congrats. PS; how hard was it for you BB not to type TOY---???? Dan

Along the lines that Wayne mentioned. Get one of those blue plastic tarps, large enough to cover whatever section of dock you’re working on. Fish it under the dock and tie the edges to the dock or tie floats to the tarp eyelets. Dismantle and remove sections of the dock and then use your landing net to scoop out the gussets and hardware laying in the tarp???? Dan.

I’m in London and not sure if this is worth your while; but I can sell you a Dunlop Signature II all-season for $150.00 each, installed & balanced? Plus applicable taxes (OTS & HST) of course. They’re advertized as having a 105,000klm warrantee; I’ve sold a bunch of them with no complaints. Dan.

Older motors were 100% exhausted out the prop, in other words all the exhaust went out below the water line; there’s nothing to see other then the oil film from an older 2 stroke. Many of the motors now (and maybe just the 4 strokes?) have a small exhaust port above the water line, allowing something like 10% of the engine’s exhaust to exit there. It’s to help promote easier/faster starts with little or no exhaust back pressure during cranking. What you’re likely seeing is the steam from this small exhaust port; which on a cold day is normal. Now if the water pump’s tell tail stream was hot and steaming there might be an overheating issue with the motor. The water coming out of the pee hole should only be warm to the touch not hot to burn. Dan.

Thanks for the info Lew. Last time we were there (2 years ago), they were promoting the lots they had for sale; but nothing was said about them selling everything. If they do sell I sure hope the new owners try and keep the same atmosphere going. You didn’t see or hear from any of the owners or the staff; but at the same time if you ask for something they bent over backwards to get it done for you. What I mean is that you’re left alone to do your own thing and not bugged by them, by being in your face all the time. Dan.

Very nice report and like many have said your pictures are assume. We’ve stayed at Memquisit on two different occasions for our summer’s week away. One of the things I like the most about Memquisit is its location; it’s kind of the midpoint on the West Arm. Just last week I was thinking of booking there again for this coming summer and came across a Royal Le Page listing that the lodge is up for sale; was there any mention of this by the owners or staff, while you were there? http://www.sellingthenorth.com/listings/l0085.html Dan.

I found this place with a quick google search; so there might be more around? They supposedly rent out service bays and tools by the hour. I tried the number but it went to a fax; not sure if they’re still in business? Do-it-yourself Garage 23 Ridley Cres Markham ON. L3S 3P5 416-465-3901 Dan.

The wiper motor is a good idea; but not sure it would have the strength to open a door? A power window motor and regulator assembly definitely would have the torque. Something like the picture below; just loose the extra bracketing that’s not required for your purpose. Plus there are right and left hand regulators which are mirror images of each other; depending on which way your door opens. Just a thought. Dan.

What about fish or rabbit pellets bought in bulk at a livestock feed supplier? Master Feed maybe; not sure about fish pellets but rabbit pellets go for something like $15 for a 50lbs bag? Dan.

http://www.laingsoutboards.com/ I used this company when I restored a single cylinder 1947 Champion for a buddy of mine; it was his dad's motor. They seems to have or can get just about anything you want for an outboard motor of any year; they even found the original decals for that motor. That Champion is now on display at the Port Dover marine museum. It looked to good too use, so we donated it to the museum in my buddies dad's name. Dan.

When I had mine I’d unhook the winch; but I tied a bow line to the trucks bumper with a bit of slack. Enough slack that the boat could freely float off the trailer but not so much that if the boat began to slide off, the line would hold it. A bit of insurance and a lot of ease, being able to grab the line well out of the water and guide the boat to the dock. I actually had a hoop tied in the line at the right distance from the boat that I would just slide this hoop over the end of the truck’s bumper. No messing around tying and untying the line from the truck. Dan.