paul@browne.net writes: > I managed to secure a limited stock of the coating through my buddy >before they went under. So I'm offering snake oil in 4 oz. bottles >to TWListees at a special price of $150 per bottle, just because I >like you guys And in your spare time, Paul, you probably travel from marina to marina in a gaily painted canvas covered wagon drawn by one horse and offer your wares along with weathermaking advice and heretofore unknown miracle cures, eh? George of Scaramouche, who appreciates a bit of humour now and then.

bsholar@yahoo.com writes: >We need to replace the lighting in our head. Noting we've seen in >the local >West Marine seems suitable to the Admiral. For something different, try a Yahrzeit candle. Enclosed in a heat-proof glass, they burn for 24 hours, give a pleasant light, can tolerate a mild breeze, don't drip or smell and are almost untippable. Yahrzeit candles sell in the local supermarket for under a dollar. Made in Israel for ceremonial purposes - but work well also for non-jewish boaters. George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario - Canada

Richter-Pooh@rocketmail.com writes: > >This insert is a simple machined piece of aluminum >barstock, slips into the 25mm flare gun and accepts >standard 12 ga 2.75" shotgun shells. They are >sometimes seen at marine flea markets, and are almost >surely illegal in most of the U.S. I have one and think it's meant to take 12 gauge flares. Wouldn't dare try a shotgun shell - like all my fingers to remain on my hand. Ciao - George

jcj@chattanooga.net writes: > Does anyone have a suggestion or >experience to share? Just replaced my bilge switch with a Mayfare (sp?). Since it carries a 5 year guarantee, there must be something good about it. My old switch had become intermittant and gets a lot of use since i have a substantial stuffing box leak. Have to pull boat to get at it or find a 4.5 ft midget with mechanical abilities .... George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario, Canada

dbarnard@virtualacreage.com writes: >I recently "let the magic fluid out" of a compass that I was futzing >with. I have been successful in refilling compasses (Richie) with USP Mineral Oil from the drugstore (also acts as a reliable laxative). I understand in olden days compasses were filled with very high percentage ethyl-alcohol (drinkable if diluted with orange juice), however there seemed to be an inexplicable shrinkage of the fluid and excessive happiness on part of the sailors.... hence the laxative type oil George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario

tobyboat@worldnet.att.net writes: > was advised by my comunications guru nephew that 5 watt cell phones >will be comming to market shortly - at a decent price Can you find out any more details, like if those 5 Watt cellphones will be analog, digital or both? I am very interested in this because about a year ago on advice of list members I bought a PocketMail machine which a) does not work at all with digital and b) almost never satisfactorly with the small low wattage analog cell-phones. At the moment the unit, a Sharp TM-20, is totally useless for me on the boat. I have in fact cancelled the contract with the ISP and the unit is for sale. I am let to believe that a high-wattage analog cellphone would fix my problems?

Xanthippe: a suitable name for an ex-wife perhaps. But how did the boat feel about it? She, made of wood, glass or steel is supposed to be your loving mistress! Gg

steamer@myhome.net writes: >Has anyone vented their Espar diesel furnace exhaust to the >outside of their boat-house? Regular boat exhaust hose won't work >I'm told ---needs water flowing through it for cooling. Didn't know about the water flowing. However one boater vented his Espar exhaust straight out pointed at the wooden dock he was tied to. Set the dock on fire..... Have seen a number of boaters screwing a steel elbow and a piece of steel pipe into the exhaust and pointing it downward to within a few inches of the lake. Cuts noise and definitely is less smelly. Has anyone ever considered venting Espars straight up like a chimney above the height of theirs and neighbouring boats? I do that with my wood and coal Force10. George of Scaramouche, Frenchman's Bay, Lake Ontario

From: pgslo@juno.com Subject: Re: TWL: cellular phone sunk To: trawler-world-list@samurai.com Someone very near and dear, dropped her......I mean their.....cell phone into the washing machine, still inside one of her.... I mean their jean pockets. Then the jeans went into the dryer on high heat. Dont know if it was the spin cycle or the dry cycle - but it never ever beeped again! George, politically correct

>Yesterday I found Thermocube, a thermostatically controlled outlet >at the >local hardware store. It plugs into a regular three prong 120 VAC >outlet >and thermostatically controls two outlets. It looks like a regular >outlet >extender. The TC-III model turns on at 35 deg. F and turns off at >approximately 45 deg. F. Cost $14.99. Wished I would have heard about this sooner. Just finished building such a device to control the heater in my engine compartment. Used a line thermostat, dual three-prong outlet with GFI, heavy duty three-prong plug and wired all that inside a large wall-outlet/switch box. Cost a wee bit more than 14.99 - just a wee bit more.... I have of course more flexible heat control and could create tropical temperatures in my engine compartment (for working in shorts if so inclined) ;-) George of Scaramouche1 (Forecast for tonight is minus one celsius!!!)