nh2f@abs.net writes: >Well, if you can't you can't, George. Thanks Rick, I actually had two people send me JPEGs and with your description, I'm now fully educated. Since I have one of these things and a sailboat, I'll hang it up right just as soon as the mast goes up, which is right after the plastic cover comes down, which is shortly after the swans return, which is soon after the ice breaks up, but not necessarily after the last time I light my woodburning fireplace. ;-) Thanks again, George of Scaramouche, frozen-in for now.

Thataway@aol.com writes: >Too bad we cannot make a list of good and bad surveyors FAIW here in Canada we do not have a trustworthy (acredited) surveyors organization either. But the general recommendfation is to use one who is accepted by the large insurance companies - if they screw up who are we little people to argue?

tobyboat@erols.com writes: > and then returning from Canada into the US .. > > Maybe, as a retired school teacher - she fit the profile - or >the car >did - who knows - but she was most upset by the complete search of >the car You said it: Retired schoolteachers are obviousy untrustworthy inddividuala. Although I personally would trust my ex- high school teacher with my life anywhere1 Mrs Anna Wenda where are you when I need you?

wmartin@tampabay.rr.com writes: > Checking the event >counter daily or weekly or whatever gives you an idea whether things >are >going normally or something is getting worse. Thanks for the ideas discussed here. I have just such a situation (slow shaft packing leak) and have to hire a tiny contortionist every time I need the gland tightened because I am too big to get near the d...n thing. So to have an idea whether things are getting worse is quite important to me. I shall look for such a counter. Right now I try to keep count manually, but that's not exactly a very reliable method - senility and all :-) George of Scaramouche

rmcleran@ix.netcom.com writes: >I can send you the directions for an event counter that counts every >time your bilge pump operates if you'll email me privately. Bob, could I please also have a copy. Much appreciate. George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario, Canada

For people in my neck of the woods, there is a firm here in Toronto who does a superb job (I've been told) on compasses and other gear. Makes only sense for Canadians as otherwise you'd run into double customs problems. If anyone interested, here is the address: Alpha Instruments 416.736.4267 37-4801 Keele St., Toronto, Ont, Canada

docmoss@tampabay.rr.com writes: >getting to d_____d decrepit to pull the sails or run the wenches any >more Yeah, it's hard to run those wenches from a wheelchair.... Sorry, couldn't resist - I know it's only a typo, but a cute one. George of Scaramouche in/on solid Lake Ontario

almiller@n-jcenter.com writes: >I am shopping for a 12 vdc windlass. I have been looking at 3 models: I believe Practical Sailor did such an evaluation some time ago - if not, why not?

Albin43Tr@aol.com writes: >I am leary of too much advanced integrated technology on my boat, >especially >when it could impact safety. Possibly, that is just an excuse to >stick with >old tried and true (and cheaper) systems And then there are really reticents like me who are not comfortable unless they have a handcrank to start their Diesel and actually do it once in a while for the exercise. Especially when I have "know-all techies" on board, I fake a starter failure and make my guests handcrank the old SABB or FAIRYMANN. (Do you know about the "cigarette" on a SABB?) Surprise all around when it finally gets going - and it does every time, I see to it. Yes, I have sails for back-up power, but sooner or later I'll become a trawler and I like to pretend I am one quite frequently these days to get used to my old age(I am 64)..... Happy New Year - George

arider@bellsouth.net writes: >After a bad experience with a tractor years ago, I don't use >starting fluid. Yeah I know about missing eyebrows. I have used WD40 successfully and cigarettes on engines equipped for that (SABB). Then again I constantly get this message from my friends on the net: "Go South Young Man!"