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.

klemmons@airmail.net writes: > If your tanks are clean, >this should make the water stay fresh a long time. I didn't know about the Starbrite stuff - I use bleach (one capful per 10 gallons). Additionally over winter (I live north of 45) I empty tank and add about one liter or so of pure alcohol, slosh it around and pump until it just comes out of the faucets. The rest gets pumped out in spring and tank flushed with clear water once or twice. Some people have told me to use Vodka for this "winterizing" and have a party with it during spring commissioning. George of Scaramouche on Lake Ontario, Canada

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

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

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

mvserenity@yahoo.com writes: >Where does one buy the Oxalic Acid. I have never seen >it in any marine or hardware supply house. Here in Toronto you can get it at any drugstore (sign poison register) or in larger quantity from paint stores (equally poisonous but you don't have to sign the register ;-) George of Scaramouche1 on lake Ontario

sallyjo@the-i.net writes: >Anyone have any new experience with Pentaten/Desitin/graphite/zinc >applications for antifoulant protection of underwater metal? This >was a hot >topic last year or early this year, and as I recall someone was >going to try >one of them in warm water. It's called PENATEN CRME, available in the baby section of drugstores worldwide and definitely works for me here in Lake Ontario. Desitin and NO-Name Zincoxide creams are made with a much thinner base and get washed off too easily. As far as testing Penaten Crme in warmer waters - if anyone would arrange for free transport of my boat, I'd be willing to endure a winter say in Florida, Cuba or Bahamas and write detailed scienterific reports. I have no connection to the manufacturer of Penaten Crme except that my mama used it on my baby-bottom oh so many years ago with great success! Please contact me off-list (wouldn't want to overload TWL with too many responses