Bernie

In the event of a short circuit without a fuse or breaker is a receipe for disaster. The only way to escape a fire on a boat is to jump in the water.

Thank you again for your kind comments. I'll try to get some better pics when I get back home. It does scoot along fairly well but need to check RPM to get proper propellers. Think the ones on them now are more suited for 40hp.

Thanks guys. Kickingfrog, I have a video but it's mostly fingers. Trying to operate two things at once.

A couple years ago, maybe more, I began plans to fix up a boat to install twin engines on. Over time I gathered up pats and pieces, engines and finally a boat. Originally twin 18HP were the plan but the 1955 25HP electric starts came together first. The boat is a 1984 16ft cedar strip, same model as my first boat in 1975. Turned out ok.

Last week while standing on my dock I was watching a mallard with her little ones cross from one island to another. A pontoon boat came along with a group of young males aboard. The spotted the ducks and veered to run them over. They turned to late to hit them and turned around to chase. I yelled loud enough that they heard me and stopped the chase. They took off. I watched which way they headed to find out where they were staying. I hopped in the boat and caught up with them. I then could see the camp name in the boat. I went and spoke with camp owner so he could speak with them about it. Said they were from the Toronto area. Why do people do stuff like that. They were all old enough to know better.

A boat engine has a hard life, its like driving your car uphill all the time. How often do you run your car full or nearly full throttle for possibly a couple hours at a time? Lots of stress on internal components. Use proper oil. Years ago I talked to engineers at OMC in Peterborough about oils. At the time Castrol was producing the oil. (This was 2 stroke though) I asked what was different if anything and was told what Art mentioned earlier about different additives/properties.

Worked on them all. As far as the "big three" are concerned, find the best deal that you are happy with and drive it. They all can be awesome and all can be miserable lemons. Yes even imports can have issues, but are generally more reliable. Last long term pickup for me was a 96 Ford. Cost virtually nothing in repairs over 10 years I owned it. 280,000 km. Was a deal so I bought it. Currently run a 2006 Chev with a 6 litre engine. Again it was a deal so I bought it. I love the power and the Allison 6 speed trans. Not too bad on fuel as long as you stay off the hard throttle.

Years ago myself and a friend were swimming off an island at a lake east of Trout Creek. It was a hot day and the swim was refreshing. To the south west about 400 meters away there was a high shoreline that obscured the horizon. We paid no attention to the weather and no thunder was heard. I was under the water when the jolt slammed us. The thunder was instant. I got to the surface and seen buddy turn into an Olympic swimmer. One big black cloud passed over and sun was back out. No other lightning seen or heard.

Sams reel repair in North Bay has always treated me well. Has a large selection of parts for many types of reels. He lives alongside the bypass up from Obrien St.

I have only used a couple of the electric impacts recently but they were not this model. They are surprisingly strong. Although I still prefer air powered these do have their place. Adapters are available but when going from a half inch drive down to 3/8" you should expect something to break.

I have a propane generator and in winter point the exhaust at the tank. Works fine.

Not too many shacks out this year. Checked with the operators out there today and said there is 20" of ice in most places now. Managed to take a couple loads of firewood across today. Travel is pretty good although a 4X4 would best be used off the road. There are a few drifts.

Dang Chris, it shows here. Try it now

Thank you kindly Dave. It's on photobucket. I'll transfer it to YouTube and give it a try.

What is the trick to posting a video?

14 months for me. Still get the odd craving, but got it beat.

Someone is in deep do doo. Seen some pics where it appears the cables shrunk too much in the cold. I'd guess the engineers didn't ever swim in cold water.

I gave up on Nascar. It became all advertising and money. Not as much of it to see on TV as it was all pay to play. No more Speed Channel was the final nail in the coffin. Too bad as at one time it was fun to watch.

It's an easy way for the guy doing your service to make a couple of bucks. They are pretty much giving you free labor to do the oil change in the hopes of making it up on some other items. Any filters I have seen in the HVAC are mounted before the evaporater core so they don't normally get wet. And it usually takes a long time in normal driving areas to plug them up. I find that many places want to change them far too early.

That's cool Lew. Haven't seen that before.

Fun report Cliff, thanks! Always great to have you fellows up for these weekends.

Made a world of difference in the performance. The previous model year of my boat the complaint was that that it porpoises too easily. So the next model year they actually put a slight hook in the hull to make it run flatter. Trouble was it overdid it and it wouldn't come up. So I had heard the Viper prop would help and put it on. I can actually get it to porpoise without blowing out. Gained 5mph. Nothing but good things to say about it.

Was working nights in the shop last week and one of the truckers running the pit mentioned the lights were on.. Went outside and looked north, nothing there. Turned around to come back in and there they were, to the south. Ha!

1996 18.5 Seaswirl Striper with a 2000 175 Evinrude Ficht runs at 50mph at 5500. 19" SS Viper propeller. Love this boat, don't know what I'd replace it with if the day ever comes.