Woodsman

Ford dealers are like any other dealer in that they are generally owned by different people. For off warranty service, the service varies. pikehunter it sounds like you have found a good one & they deserve praise. Good service should be praised just like poor service should be commented on. Serves to reward the good guy's. Years ago I also had an excellent experience with the local Midas dealer in Stratford. A few months after they replaced my muffler (muffler & tailpipe only) I blew a dounght gasket at the manifold. I took it in for repair. After almost 2 hrs. labour due to seized bolts they had it repaired. When I asked how much I owed I was told "No charge & here's a free calander for next year." Good to great service deserves to be told to others. May encourage others to treat customers better & yes punish the those who treat customers poorly. If they would of charged me for the labour & part it would have been fine & not bad service but they really excelled in this case. I have no problem passing it on either. Best Wishes: Rick

Are you sure they didn't get charged for no working flashlight? Right from the Safe Boating Guide(TP 511E) Navigation lights Only required if the boat is operated after sunset, before sunrise or in periods or restricted visibility(fog, falling snow, etc.).

Be prepared to get nailed. The exemption that you speak of only applies (or at least currently) when your in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut. Also applies to anyone resident or not in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.

Not legally required to have insurance for a boat or to carry proof of insurance even if you do have it. I'm not saying, "it's a good idea to not have insurance" just that it isn't legally required, or at least yet. Rick

Well maybe not not necessarily. Your only exempt if it's your own boat which has been in Canada less than 45 consecutive days. If the boat is not registered in your name or left in Canada at your cottage for the season, you are not exempt from the proof of competency rules.

Garry it's actually Federal Legislation not Provincial.

Looks good. But I'm one to tinker. Garlic - yes must add. Not a big one for hot pickles. Replace with green olives. A project to try for sure. Thanks for the idea. Best Wishes: Rick

With only part-time you may have a hard time covering the expenses associated with being a guide with a business of your own. Many things required to operate a business, and on top of that there are somethings required for guiding in particular. No I'm not a guide but have talked to a few about this. I"ll just take you out on my boat & charge X $ will only end you up in hot water at best. Those who follow the rules will sure make sure your shutdown as they spend the money(& training time)to operate legally. Insurance for guiding is not cheap either. I'm assuming on your boat. River side guiding would be somewhat less complicated but still not practical IMO. Not many customers. On their boat, again not many customers.

Although I agree having the transducer below the ice is best it will still work closer to the top just not as good. By adding sand to the plastic bottle(rigged as in the video) it would sink & flip the transducer so it would point toward the surface. Not good. If your going to use the pool noodle anyway why even bother with the bottle & sand?

I use a similar set-up to Beans.

Oh I got the poles. About 10 of them. Tip-ups also. Too many lures & gaining. As for Now that could be handy. Save me drilling my own.

Like I suspect many others, I have been buying a few things for this season. Here's a few pictures of my new gear. And last but not least. Good Luck on the upcoming season. Best wishes: Rick

Congrats on quitting also. It's been almost 29 years for me. From a 4 pack a day smoker to zip, cold turkey. Sure was rough at first. And yes I gained about 50 lbs also. Me at 285 lbs was not a pretty sight. Add a long beard & old ladies would cross the street before they would walk past me. Back to my original 235 lbs but could benefit to lose another 20 lbs. I gave up the smokes but am keeping the beer for now.

Channel 9 is for emergencies.

Heck a 20 year old appliance would be considered almost new compared the this one. I've had it for about 14 years & I got for free as it was old & replaced with a new one. Would be at least 35 if not 40 years old. My 15' freezer is even older as my parents bought it new in 1965. Still humming along great.

If it was just the element it would of been fixed. Only thing that works now is the light and the electric outlet. Although the red lights indicating the elements are on also work none of the elements heat up. Not a fuse issue either. All fuses in stove & electric panel are working fine. BTW: Around here most parts are free. On my way to & from work I drive though an area many think is great for dumping old appliances. Does not take long to strip them of fuses, elements, switches ect. & racks. That's how I kept it going so long. Time to retire it from full time duty now.

What some seem to miss is this is a very old stove with very little plastic. The fire box will have very little flame mostly coals & shielded from area's with insulation. As for using the electric element for a heat source if that was an option I would still be using it as my stove. As a smoker I don't want high heat. No more than 175 to 200 max.

Not so grey Wayne. From pg.57, Safe Boating Guide TP 511E (01/2009) "Some Provinces have adopted speed limits of 10 km/h within 30 m (98'5") of shore line within their boundaries. This speed limit applies in Ontario. This speed limit is in effect whether posted or not. Exceptions include: * recreational towing where the boat follows a path at a 90 deg. angle to the shore in an area designated by buoys for recreational towing." Unless the towing boat is at 90 degs to the shore & it's a designated buoyed area the shore line speed limit applies. Actually unless posted it does not apply to rivers. From pg.57, Safe Boating Guide TP 511E "Some Provinces have adopted speed limits of 10 km/h within 30 m (98'5") of shore line within their boundaries. This speed limit applies in Ontario. This speed limit is in effect whether posted or not. Exceptions include: * rivers less than 100 m (328') wide, as well as canals and buoyed channels."

Sounds like a great idea as my wife claims I have too much gas as it is. Not sure if I want to use it for cooking though!

Has anyone converted an old electric range to a smoker? My old range just went t*ts-up and I was thinking with it's all metal construction I could turn it into a a smoker for little money. The storage drawer in the bottom with a little shielding will make a good fire box. Some holes cut into the bottom of he oven will let smoke & heat into the oven area & one burner already has a vent to let smoke out. Built in racks & door already. Years ago old refrigerators worked great but with all the plastics they have used for many years their out. What do you think? Best Wishes: Rick

Here's a few I made this summer.

Let's just except that the debate boils down to different political views on how public(?) services should be provided. We in Canada generally expect that most services should be provided though our taxes where in the US it is more common to expect to pay for services through insurance or voluntary fees.( fire coverage, health care ect.) Saying that I'm sure there are some if not many on both sides of the border who believe that the other countries model is best.

I have a 98 Jimmy with a 4.3 & the mileage sucks. My 02 Explorer with a 4.0 by far is better mileage wise.

Good to hear your on the mend. I'm in Stratford every day through the week for work, so if I can do you anything just let me know. Best Wishes: Rick

Untrue. You will be charged if caught in possession of an out of season fish. The fact you have the fish is all the proof needed. You will never be charged for releasing a deeply hooked out of season fish.