I have a project boat, actually maybe two, but I have some DIY questions for the experienced group. It seems that the shrimp fleet of homemade boats generally have drystack exhausts, para-vane stablizers, and home made keel coolers. I've got a boat that I'd like to try one or more of these concepts on and wondered if you guys could give me some insight into design and particulars or sources for info. Maybe it will keep me off the list over the winter. Thanks, Ed

Try this http://www.fernstrum.com/ for Keel cooling - quite common on Dutch steel vessels. If I remember correctly, Lee is using keel cooling on his Turkish-built trawler. Regards Roger Bingham France > It seems that the shrimp fleet of homemade > boats > generally have drystack exhausts, para-vane stablizers, and home made > keel > coolers

SeaLubber7@aol.com writes: >I have a project boat, actually maybe two, but I have some DIY questions >for the experienced group. It seems that the shrimp fleet of homemade boats >generally have drystack exhausts, para-vane stablizers, and home made keel >coolers. I've got a boat that I'd like to try one or more of these concepts >on and wondered if you guys could give me some insight into design and >particulars or sources for info. Maybe it will keep me off the list over the > >winter. My two cents: 1) Dry stacks: I installed a new dry stack in Island Eagle. It's pretty strai ght-forward. Your best bet is to just find the welder who does most of the sh rimp boats and pick his brains. 2) Paravanes: quite a bit more complex, because the point loads can be substa ntial. You may want to chat with a naval architect. The vanes can be easily w elded up. 3) Home-made keel coolers: if you have a metal boat, not too hard, and again talk to your local welder. If you have wood or fiberglass, much much harder b ecause it's difficult to go through the hull. You might find that but the tim e you get through with the futzzing around, it would be easier and less expen sive to buy one. That's what I did for my genset. I used one from Walter: htt p://www.waltergear.com/kc.htm Scott Welch Chief Evangelist, Open Text Social Media Group www.opentext.com 905 762 6101 "Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out ." - John Wooden