When I bought the boat the engine surveyor told me the port transmission looked like it was running well at the moment, but that with the age, hours and type of service put on it, that it would die soon. He didn't know whether "soon" would be tomorrow or in two years though. I now know the answer.... Bill

I won't burden the list with my take on this specific piece of advice (Waits for applause to die down) since I've addressed the topic many times before. The interested TWListee can Google the Archive on the keyword "micron" for tons of information. Look especially for posts from Paul Kruse and Wil Andrews.

SAILING WEST I hope there's a place, way up in the sky Where sailors can go when they have to die. A place where a guy could buy a cold beer For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear. A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread, Nor a management-type would e'ler be caught dead!

Anyhow, although it's worked well for many years, it picked today to die. The motor blows 25A fuses in seconds now. I've dissected the electric motor et al, but nothing obvious is wrong with it -- brushes are good, bearings seem ok. Yet after reassembly the thing draws over 10A just spinning free with no pump attached.

Not only will it fry the battery not being tapped into, but the battery that is being used will not get fully charged and will sulfate and it too will die a premature death.

I prefer a 1/4" half round carbide router bit in an air powered hand held die grinder. Be sure than any loose fibers are cleaned up. The router bit cuts very fast, so be careful. Use eye and respiratory protection, as well as protective clothing. After the area is routed out, wash it with hot soap and water. Then rinse it with hot water.

All the name brands-- Die Hard, Interstate, etc., etc., etc. come from these two manufacturers. There are more than two filter manufacturers, but it's the same idea. ______________________________ C. Marin Faure GB36-403 "La Perouse" Bellingham, Washington

Many passengers, remembering the Titanic, which was featured in a movie three years earlier, thought they were going to die. Unlike that tragedy, however, the Doria's radio calls for help were answered by six ships.

I don't know the figures for Gloucester but the memorial statue on the shore indicates that most fishermen did not die in their beds of old age. The characteristics of a truly seaworthy displacement hulled boat are quite a bit different from that of a fishing trawler.

I know that this topic has probably been beat to death and should be allowed to die out gracefully, but I noticed that the same topic showed up today on boatdiesel and my hero, Tony Athens opined on it. Well more than opined.