>===== Original Message From Joe Engel <Joe@JRE.com> ===== >I have the same setup for my knot meter paddlewheel. Do you mean you just >pull that sucker out when the boat is in the water? That does worry me? >What's your experience with that? Sure Joe, Those knot meter paddlewheels come with a blank bung to plug the hole when you take the paddlewheel out. Then, clean the paddlewheel with an old toothbrush in a bucket of water, pull the bung back out, stick the paddlewheel back in, insert the retainer pin, and you're back in business. I used to have to do it each weekend after my sailboat sat all week in its slip during the heavy fouling season. I'll admit that I was more aware of my sphincter the first time I did it, but I don't think I ever got more than a gallon of water in the boat. I don't have a paddlewheel knot meter on my trawler. I currently rely only on GPS speed. If you don't have a dedicated bung that came with the knot meter to stick in the empty hole, you can get a large rubber stopper from a laboratory supply house or use a soft wooden plug (just don't leave these jury-rigged plugs unattended). But I think all of the makers of knot meters make blanks with built-in O-rings and through-slots to accept the retaining pins to fit in the through-hull opening. They're also useful to insert them before you have the boat hauled to minimize damage to the fragile paddlewheel from slings and pressure washers. George of Scaramouche has just had a little more fun with his around guests than most of us. <G> Mel Knott Sandpiper West Indian 36 Annapolis, MD

mknott@bcpl.net writes: >George of Scaramouche has just had a little more fun with his around >guests >than most of us. <G To be honest about it: The very first time I pulled it, I had to wash my underwear afterwards but now it's nothing. Actually it's a good test for your bilgepump.