Posted By RichC on December 6, 2016
I headed down to Florida to check in on Encore this past weekend and enjoyed the sunshine but not necessarily the long drive for a short stay. 
Primarily the in-water project had to do with getting the dodger and bimini back on the boat and getting the deck cleaned up after the harsh summer and brush with Hurricane Matthew in October. Thankful she was no worse for the bouncing around … it really could have been worse.
The Volvo diesel hasn’t been cooling properly ever since the engine was repaired … or maybe slightly after that when I replace the dripping waterpump? I doubt it is the pump, but am hoping that the small strainer that replaced the broken Volvo Penta original was reducing seawater intake? We’ll see as I replace it with a larger Vetus Strainer. I like the Vetus design with the larger transparent screw off lid and quality feeling plastic construction. While I was tinkering with engine cooling I did pull the water pump apart to check the impeller and "lid" wear. It seems a little too tight but then that is probably in the design. Unfortunately I do not have any thin oiled-paper gaskets and will give it a try metal to metal until I can pick up or make a couple spares.
A trip to Florida would not be complete with visiting my good friends the Jones… and a sandwich at Goodfellas (nothing special but the best Cheesesteak north, south or west of Philly!) Unfortunately for me, Mark and Dar dropped the news that they would be moving to Savannah in February … something that will be great for them (family close) but sad for me. I’m sure we’ll make a point to see each other, but it won’t be the same not having them taking such good care of Encore (and me).
Oh … the photo above was the bike fix-it station at the Fort Piece Inlet park that I was mentioning to a bike riding friend and Katelyn and Drew who take advantage of the many bike trails in and around Minneapolis.
While including photos … I’m contemplating a replacement sink when I re-do the galley countertops. Getting a size and position. There’s not enough room for a proper deep twin sink, so I’m contemplating a 6-7" deep single stainless or composite sink that can hold a plastic dishpan with a single drain on the left (drawer under right sink).
Category: Diesel, Personal, Photos, Sailing |
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Tags: dar, encore, friends, jones, mark, sailboat, strainer, vetus, water pump
Posted By RichC on December 5, 2016
The exuberance is everyway if you listen to the talking heads on cable business news shows as all but "one" component of Pres-Elect Donald Trump’s platform is good for business, jobs and the economy. Unfortunately it is the component that the media and Twittersphere is currently focused on … a 35% tariff on U.S. companies moving jobs and producing product overseas. For a Republican to use the heavy hand of government is a big deal … personally I’m hoping it is a threat that is needlessly being talked about IF a 15% corporate tax rate and reduced regulations get passed.
For now, the prospect is for U.S. growth since the climate for business and free markets is much better here than in Europe which continues their socialist drift and internal problems with refugees and ability to assimilate Muslims.
On of the more influential financial thinkers is the WSJ’s Stephen Moore, who is also on the Trump business and financial advisory panel on taxes. He comments that he could solve all of the above by "taxing on the consumption end rather than the production end." It is simple enough that it is worth giving it serious consideration since it would address a lot of today’s trade and monetary gamesmanship issues.
Category: Business, Financial |
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Tags: Business, Financial, investing, markets, stocks, trading
Posted By RichC on December 5, 2016
Sorry, but when it comes to Coast Guard boardings, you don’t have any rights. I’m surprised how many boaters don’t know this. The US Coast Guard can board your boat any time they want, and look anywhere they want, without probable cause or a warrant. They can do this on the open sea, or while or while you’re asleep aboard in your marina at midnight. They can look through your bedsheets, in your lockers, in your bilges, in your jewelry box, or in your pockets. They can do it carrying just their sidearms, or they can do it carrying assault rifles. They can be polite about it or they can be rude, but mostly they’re polite.
If you’re an avid boater you can expect to be boarded every year or two. –> MORE
Category: Misc, Sailing |
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Tags: boats, coast guard, legal, rights, sailboat, search, uscg
Posted By RichC on December 4, 2016
One of the television shows I enjoyed growing up watching was Kung Fu with David Carradine. The program regularly flashed back from Carradine’s character Kwain Chang Caine in the old west to China where he grew up learning the Chinese martial arts from the monks at the Shaolin Monastery. When I saw this photo from 1971 of Shaolin Monks training, I thought of that show and the late actor … and Radames Perá who played "grasshopper."
Category: Entertainment, History, Photos |
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Tags: 1970s, carradine, kung fu, monks, radames pera, shaolin, television
Posted By RichC on December 3, 2016
The Wendy’s keychain tag promotion has been a favorite of mine for several years now as I’ll usually buy several and hand them out to friends and family. The fast food company is running the donation campaign again in 2017, so I’ll likely continue to be drawn to eating the occasional meal there in 2017 — the “free stuff” promotions works well to draw me into their restaurants.
Category: Misc |
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Tags: donation, frosty, keytag, maria bartiromo, promo, wendy's
Posted By RichC on December 2, 2016
I’ve heard of getting a straw stuck up your nose … but this is ridiculous. 
Category: Automotive, BMW, Humor, Photos |
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Tags: BMW, fence, grill, Humor, nose, post, straw
Posted By RichC on December 1, 2016
The Clarks my son gave me this past year after I admired his, are quality constructed shoes/boots and no doubt will last a long time and seem to hold up to heavy use. I am however disappointed into "tongue creep" which seems to be getting worse each wearing. I’m not sure if it was stitched off center or happens to naturally move to the outside ?
EDIT: Someone suggested that I send an email to Clarks, perhaps they can shine a little light on this before I opt to purchase another pair. We’ll see how they handle it.
Category: Advice, Misc, Shopping |
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Tags: clarks, defect, quality, shoes
Posted By RichC on November 30, 2016
For those who backpack or have planned challenging hiking trips, few offer the impressive views and strenuous climbs that the trails along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii. My son Taylor has sent back and posted a couple photo from his trip this week. Amazing trip.
Category: Personal, Photos, Travel |
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Tags: backpacking, family, hawaii, hiking, kauai, na pali, taylor
Posted By RichC on November 29, 2016
It is a little disappointing to not get the number of hours out of LED bulbs as they advertise … something in the neighborhood of 50,000 hours. I’m not sure there is any warranty on Chinese Ebay bulbs, but I do know that I really liked these smaller "very low wattage" bulbs as outdoor end of garage lights. I have 5 of them on each night from dusk till dawn and knowing my total wattage is somewhere close to 50 watts total is nice when it comes to efficiency. Unfortunately if I’m going to be replacing often, it defeats the purpose over curly CFLs.
Category: Energy, Misc, Shopping |
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Tags: bulbs, cfl, ebay, efficiency, electric, led, lightbulb, lights
Posted By RichC on November 28, 2016
Chuckling at the difference between how relaxed Taylor’s “walk” on Kauai looks (while on his backpacking trip to Hawaii) compared to the walk Katelyn and Drew took this weekend in Wayzata, MN (our September trip).
Taylor’s message to me after a few days “offline” — “We made it!” 
A photo of the Three Amigos on their trip somewhere on the Na Pali Coast.
Category: Personal, Photos, Travel |
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Tags: drew, family, hawaii, katelyn, kauai, Photos, taylor, thanksgiving, wayzata
Primarily the in-water project had to do with getting the dodger and bimini back on the boat and getting the deck cleaned up after the harsh summer and brush with Hurricane Matthew in October. Thankful she was no worse for the bouncing around … it really could have been worse. 
