Bernie

Thank you for all the responses! I started about 5 years ago playing on "mens night" Thursday evenings. Like many others didn't respect the game until playing it. I'm still learning something new every time out on the ice. Strategy plays a big part in the game, especially when the contenders are of equal throwing skills. All players need to work together on every rock thrown. 2 watching the line and the sweepers eying the speed. When a rock is swept it reduces the friction under the rock and extends the amount of distance it will cover and makes it go straighter. Turning the rock clockwise will make it turn to the right and counter clockwise to left. This will allow a rock to go around a rock in front another to make a hit. If anyone gets a chance to play you should. Really is a great game.

I have an old Iron-Horse with a kick start that Grandma used on her washing machine A 2 stroke on a snowblower? Hmmmm. Maybe, but it seems unusual.

I must be getting old. I enjoyed it. But have always enjoyed Tom Petty tunes. By the way the Boston-Detroit game was a good one too Wayne.

Craig you are right about the Gentleman's game. In our league games I like to vice. It lets you play all aspects of the game. Don't really mind the sweeping but in a tourney you tend to put a lot more into it. Wayne the game can be hard on the knee's as well but lots of curlers use the pusher stick to allow them to continue playing. It's perfectly legal to use even in tournaments. Great way to enjoy the winter season and it gets you out of the house for some fun and exercise.

Couple weeks ago at our regular curling night I was asked if I would be interested in a curling spiel. Thinking it may be a good time said "sure". We played first game Friday 10PM and won. Whew what a workout sweeping. Hey, don't laugh its not as easy as it looks. Our next game was 1pm Saturday and we pulled through with a tough win. Whew!!! Ok now I'm a little sore. That win put us into the "A" division and another game Saturday evening. Amazingly we did win again. All of us were on our game and it was showing. By now I'm really tired out and afraid what I'm going to feel like in the morning. Ok in the AM only just a little sore. Stretched it out and thought about our championship game today. Well the guys we were going up against are very good curlers and each of them play several days a week and attend several spiels each year. The guys tell me to stay cool and keep playing the same way and we will have a good chance at winning. We stole 3 on the first end and didn't look back. Wow what a feeling to win! What a fun game and a great way to get some exercise. Its a very social sport as well. Both teams sit at the same table after the game and the winners buy the round of drinks. But buying a round was OK here cause our team all went home with a few extra bucks in our pockets.

That's a sweet looking ride Joe, be a real haulin' butt machine with the 5.4. I can understand using that engine from Ford. They are very strong and reliable. Like Kennyman, I have a soft spot in my heart for the GM stuff but have realized they are not the only player in town. My favorite fun car was my 78 Camaro 350 4 speed. But for a cruiser my Mom has a 95 Buick Roadmaster with the LT1 engine that gets incredible fuel economy along with a great ride and power. What a beautiful car!

Yer a big sissy . Next time toss the bucket outside and freeze it. Then chuck it on the next garbage truck. Whewee... its a bad smell I agree. Experienced that myself.

Goober. I agree with you. But it seems like Gerritt says when I am with the guys it does slip out easier. Although the Lords name in vain is extremely rare from me. I do pay attention if children and ladies are present and watch my speech. It does bother me as it does you if my family is nearby a group that does not pay attention to this.

If you can , please find minnows here locally. Its probably a non issue at this point now but why promote more disease or contamination? Which part of the lake are you going to? Maybe I could offer a suggestion.

Watched a guy battle a sturgeon on Nipissing for most of a day and never did land it. That would be a tale to tell for the rest of your life. Go for the sturgeon!!!

Was out on the lake yesterday Steve but not fishing. Have heard mixed reports of success. Deeper water is working from what I have heard recently. Bring ice cleats, the lake was void of snow. They are reporting 80% possible flurries tomorrow afternoon so there may be some snow on the lake(if it doesn't get blown away).

Its a coyote.

Tougher than I thought it would be. Level 8 first go around. Those African countries are always changing. lol

Me too Cliff

I have been fortunate to fish Nipissing all my life and look forward to doing it for a few more years to come. Lots of types of fish and ways to catch them.

Even on Nipissing there are areas to avoid. Talked to a fella who was out near where the South River enters the lake and he said there was only 4 inches. Thats even after the solid cold we had for a few days. I checked out in front of my place and there was a good solid 12". On the main lake there is 12 to 16". There were pickups going everywhere. I don't think they were too wise going off the main trails where the snow was compacted allowing the cold to penetrate the snow.

There is not anything mechanical built that that does not require servicing at some point in time. That is why there are mechanics and service shops for just about everything. I'm not trying to change anyones mind here. Just keep an open one. All outboards built today are well made, anything fuel injected will have a computer. The E-tec in my opinion is as durable as anything out there. We sell about 70% mercs with the other 30% Hondas and E-tecs. Percentage wise service is approximately the same on the later models. We have been selling motors since Johnson came to Canada way back when. OMC had their bad years that put them under, it wasn't the Ficht that did them in, the problem started long before that. Market pressures and bad management took the toll. For the type of boating that I do I would not go back to the 4 stroke at this time. I love the way my engine runs and the fuel economy. I put a lot of hours on it each year and the fuel savings over the Honda were significant. My next outboard may be a Mercury or if Honda comes out with some newer technology I may try one too.

No I dont believe so Mike. The E-tecs really are very good on fuel. Part of it is that the fuel is being burned more efficiently than regular 2 strokes With the fuel being injected directly into the cylinder. No camshafts to turn or valves to lift allows more of the power to reach the propeller and greatly increases power to weight ratios. Dont get me wrong, the Honda is a great engine but it didnt fit my needs. Perhaps on a pontoon boat or a deck boat would be ideal. Fortunately there are many options available to all of us. Just a note on the noise levels. The Honda and the Etec would be very close. And as far as the exhaust odor I dont find it any different than the Honda was. They burn very clean.

Hi musky man. I currently run a 175 Etec and its been a great engine. Its better on fuel than my previous 130 4 stroke Honda. I get to try out many types of boat-motor combinations in my situation. Part of the issue with fewer of them on the market is that Mercurys are often part of boat packages and to get an Evinrude put on it may be more costly. But if you are planning on repowering your boat I would say an E-tec would be a strong consideration.

Wayne. I'll let you know. We haven't much snow here right now. Only buzzed it around the field a couple times. Feels pretty good. Not sure if we are using as a demonstrator or not. Haven't had time to ask Mark. All 9 guys in the shop took it for a trip around the field and were very impressed.

Maybe if I'm a real good boy we can give it a try in February Gerritt. Yahoo

We haven't experienced that type of problem here ec...Not trying to create a slam session here. Just interesting stuff is all.

Just went for a ride on an E-tec.......................................Skidoo. Just tried out some new technology today. Was very smooth and quiet. Was wondering why they haven't done it before this.

A couple more notes Alcohol can increase the possibility of vapor lock. This can make it difficult for your fuel pump to pick up and continue to supply fuel. Fuel under pressure reduces vapor lock. Also in an Evinrude bulletin they are saying a test kit is available from Briggs & Stratton suppliers for checking alcohol content in fuel. Part # 100023 and is $5.45 US. It is available on-line at briggsandstratton.com

LOL. I hear you Cranks. I would like to be able to copy and paste the entire bulletin on here but cannot due to copy write but if I read it thoroughly and understand it the same way I will be able to possibly pass on the finer points. icefisherman. The most common reason for engine failure is lack of or poor lubrication or lean fuel mixture.