cheaptackle

For about five bucks I bought an assortment of sizes in recloseable (zip lock style) bags in the craft section of the dollar store. I keep the bulk of my plastics at home in the original bags, double bagging into a larger ziplock if necessary. I carry a small amount of each in the dollar store bags with me. This lets me maximize my on hand inventory without needing several satchels to carry them. If I find I'm using a lot of one particular style, I just upsize the bag for it or carry that one's original. I've got 5 year old originals that are still the same as the day I bought them. Works well for me! Michael

Not in mine at all - I stay out of war zones I do! Let the RLTA, the "Mayor", Nana whatever and whomever else enjoy the fruits of their labors - without me and my dollars. They're crying the blues now when there's nothing to cry about, what are they gonna do when the results of their own actions begin to surface? Michael

^ ^ ^ Now THAT's funny right there!!! Michael

OKAY! Every time I see an ad now I am gonna be thinking of how it might apply to poor Vance! I will be officially completely deranged momentarily. The ad just now said "Want more Hits?" (to your website) Ouch! Michael

Ad must keep changing - says something about IQ & E-marketing now, maybe that's your answer to your chances - advertise! Michael

I'm not sure how many times now this guy has gone full circle now! IF he has enough business to last a life time, retired 20 years ago, whatintheaitcheedoubletwostix is he yammerin' on about? 1/10 of the effort he's expended in whatever it is he's currently doing would probably result in doubling his sales instead of chasing anyone who's in the know about his actions away! Michael

Like I said - I appreciate the need! I'm on 5 other boards and none of them have the ads BUT they also have a lot less features than what you offer. Trade offs are always a necessity, obviously you can't cover the costs out of pocket. Once it's gotten used to I'm sure it will be a non-issue. Michael

TJ, I can well appreciate the need, I really can. But it is annoying! Won't say another word about it. Michael

Have we been hacked? How come there's "sponsor" ads showing up in the threads? Michael

Just a thought, not an answer, Randy; It could be you already have your answer in that your client can't get a driver's license. There's rules of the road on the water too and working knowledge of them is a necessity. He may very well know them but cannot convey his knowledge - that's a huge obstacle to overcome. I don't know what they may do with, and I say this kindly, illiterate or challenged motor vehicle license applicants testing efforts. If such a program were to exist maybe a way can be found to overlap it to the operators card for your client. I've never heard of an "exemption" for drivers licenses, and can't imagine one exists for the operators card. I will say this, you have probably found the one in a million or more true just causes for an exemption. It sounds like your client derives great pleasure and therapy from his vessel. I sincerely hope a way is found to help him demonstrate his ability to the point of either being granted a card or exempted from requiring it. If I can find out anything further from a couple of people I know (and I will try), you'll hear from me right away. Michael

Mayor (??); Make up your mind already! You've claimed to be on both sides of the fence - both for and against ice fishing, for and against the limits. Fer crying out loud, which is it? Seems like every time you or others from the RLTA post anything, someone here (myself included) has indicated the Rice Lake area has NOW lost yet another ONTARIO anglers interest in fishing this wonderful lake. What is it going to take for you and the RLTA to recognize that your incessant whining is multiplying the amount of business you are losing NOW, as opposed to saving the potential business you blindly assume you MIGHT miss because of your misplaced perceptions of lawful Regulations? Michael

Haven't had to work on Mercs for a while. Evinrude, omc & johnson mostly. I've had good luck with the local dealer printing off schematics that clearly show the assemblies, didn't charge any extra for it either. The print out was detailed enough to make it a breeze. Some kits come with the schematic in it already. However, Wayne & I have both said it - try it again with a water source, bucket or earmuffs first. And don't forget part 2 of what Wayne said! (slap!) Michael

Caught the tail end of the Barrie news showing the rescue - 3 are ok, think they said one was air lifted to hospital. Showed the air boat in action along with the rescue team. Good thing they exist! Michael

You should see water jetting at idle within a few seconds of starting as I recall. My 7.5 Merc would only jet when I revved it up which lead me to changing mine out. Michael

"Can" doesn't mean every time. Try what I suggested first and see if the tell tale (or bypass) is jetting out water. If it is, you should be ok. If not, install the kit. What year/model/hp are we talking about anyhow? (curious) Michael

Yup it sure can. Why take the chance? Stick the lower unit in a bucket of water if it's small enough, or get a set of "ear muffs" & hook 'er up to a garden hose. That way you can both test fire & verify the pump is working too! Michael

Wonder if that might be the surcharge added to fines such as these? Think it's something like 25% is automatically added. That can run the tab up in a hurry! Should be a 300% surcharge for this circumstance and all others like it as far as I'm concerned. Especially in an area like the Niagara River! Michael

YEEESSSSSSSS! Michael

How old Tinman? Is there ground wires? You might want to kill a breaker & pull out an outlet to see for yourself that there are ground wires coming into the box, not that the outlet is just grounded to the box. If the conversion was done 5 years ago it would be about the right time to tighten all connections. IF you do have aluminum make sure all your devices are either al or cu/al rated (it'll be printed on the switches & outlets body). I'd be surprised, though, if you had aluminum simply because if the panel was upgraded the wiring should have been as well. I'd be equally surprised for the same reason if you still had old style ungrounded romex wire. I thought Wayne had nailed it for you with the voltage fluctuations until you responded. Let us know what you find. Michael

I'm not a licensed electrican but do have some background in it. Sounds like loose connections to me. Ever tightened up all the terminals (breaker, commons & grounds) screws at your main panel? Especially on older homes this will help a lot. What else is on the circuit? Are all the lights on the same circuit? Michael

Another, albeit more costly in both time and materials, option is to apply new drywall. 3/8" would be plenty, but this means removing trim, adjusting electrical devices etc. The end result is worth it in terms of a perfect finish. I've had good luck renting a steamer to remove the wallpaper, durn near all the adhesive came off and surface prep was minimal sanding, scraping & filling afterwards. The steamer was fast, did a kitchen, bedroom & living room/hallway in less than a day, and the cost was well worth the result. Make sure you have adequate towels/rags handy to wipe down the surface as the wallpaper comes off and it will save a ton of the harder scraping & sanding. Good Luck! Michael

My point exactly - you weren't seeking a freebie - but she may have thought you were which is why she may have never responded, just blew you off because of HER perception. She'd have been further ahead to dialogue with you about costs etc., given you her business card and so on. Her loss! Michael

It's possible that if she's a free lance she might not wish to release any shots, first because her work may be under contract (for the shots that were used in or bought by a newspaper) OR she feels you wanted them free of charge and she would only sell them to you, hence she never bothered to call/e-mail. I'd equate this to the guys who come in, see something they want, then ask me if they can have it and pay me later (yeah - RIGHT!). Not suggesting anything here except maybe a breakdown in communication, it's equally possible payment would have been made if the understanding was there, only she didn't feel that way. Just my thoughts... Michael

Great report as always Garry! I'll be watching for when they do (if they do) come up with something in the lighter weight classes. Glad to see you back! Michael

Now THAT'S a happy ending! Forgot to discuss the lost in transit part... Michael