Recent content by Cker

On my 2000 F250, serpentine belt circuit runs OVER the radiator hose. In order to put a belt on (pretty simple task) you have to remove the radiator hose. There is a fix consisting of a reshaped hose that fits in the factory bracket under the alternator. Not a big problem but just makes life a...

Snap-On tools (catch the trucks at car shops) used to make a compound called Never-Seez. It was a heavy grease with metallic powder. Used it for years on everything I put together (and woudl probably have to take apart again). Great stuff but have no idea whether or not it's still around...

I'm trying...I'm trying. My bucked list is pretty simple right now. I've had to cancel two trips (NC and Fla) gatherings to look at and for boats. No fault just my wife's health. The first item on the list is to find a decent boat that I can afford (C22, Ranger EC21, even considering a Nimble...

I've learned that you can download the NOAA charts to a pc but they are in encoded form. I can't find the reference to decoding software but it referred to two packages - Cap'n and Fugawi. Both these packages seem expensive and I wonder whether I would use any of the features other than simply...

Forgive me if this is off topic but it's raining, chilly and generally gucky weather. Back in the 60's a group of us worked together at Cape Canaveral. One of our co-workers who was a real horse's patootie, bought a new VW beetle. He was proud of it and we were constantly harangued about how...

I left New York in January, 1959 on a biiiiig troop ship (MSTS Gen. Patch) bound for Germany. Along the way we encountered the North Atlantic. 2500 seasick gi's detting very inebriated on paregoric. We bribed a couple of the sailors to let us look out on deck. All outer doors (?) were closed so...

I left New York in January, 1959 on a biiiiig troop ship (MSTS Gen. Patch) bound for Germany. Along the way we encountered the North Atlantic. 2500 seasick gi's detting very inebriated on paregoric. We bribed a couple of the sailors to let us look out on deck. All outer doors (?) were closed so...

Anchor buoy seems to be a pretty straightforward solution to recovering an anchor. It also seems that a windlass is a good idea for raising an anchor. Are they mutually exclusive or is it a matter of using one or the other. i think I might know about how an anchor buoy works but would appreciate...

Need to buy a new laptop and just in case the War Department okays the boat purchase, I need to know what will work in a marine environment. I have desktop macs at home but thinking that applications for boating use might be limited to Windows (ugh). Some of you who use laptops regularly for...

I would not use anything except cypress. If cured well, painting would be Okay but more for esthetic reasons than durability. Bunks get soaked and the carpet gets soaked so think stainless steel for all attachments. Countersink cap screw or carriage bolt heads and put a dab of silicone spooky on...

Just reading their account of the trip renewed my respect for the sea and what it can do. I'm not sure whether I would call their effort brave or foolhardy. I'll give them this - you'd have to have a tough boat, adequate supplies, good planning and skill, lots of luck and stainless steel...

Just reading their account of the trip renewed my respect for the sea and what it can do. I'm not sure whether I would call their effort brave or foolhardy. I'll give them this - you'd have to have a tough boat, adequate supplies, good plannint and skill, lots of luck and stainless steel...

I've used desktops for many years, macs and windows (ugh) machines and I bought my first laptop a couple of years back. $1100 - it worked Okay but within a year the batteries died and I contacted the manufacturer about a replacement. No replacements, no aftermarket batteries so now if I want to...

9/22/09 First, a sincere and most heartfelt “Thank You” to all those who have been so kind and patiently answered my questions, especially to Tracy Munson and Marc Groves (a superlative dealer with a classic sense of humor). About three o’clock this morning after turning the question over and...

My old trailer was a bear to load and unload and finally the bottom bunks rotted and I had to replace them. I ordered synthetic bunks (really about 1X4's - maybe a little thicker and faced them with teflon (slick) strips. A couple of trips later, I noticed the bunks sagging between the supports...