Panos, fender cleaning and that new rental car smell

Posted By on March 17, 2014

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Above is an iPhone panorama photo of the aft of Encore but it was so distorted that I had to try and tweak it in Photoshop. Better than it was, but still a quirky perspective.

DawnForFenders140315The fenders used to keep boats from bumping together or into docks and pilings take abuse and get pretty weathered. They are usually white and get black mold (I assume) and very grungy looking … sometimes even sticky.  If I were smart, I’d buy dark colored fender covers (cloth that covers and can be washed) and even keep the scuff marks from appearing on the side of the hull … obviously I’m not smart or just too cheap. Anyway my point is that Dawn Dish soap which cut grease better than most other soaps seems to do a pretty good job with the newer fenders … give it a try if you are looking for something (I also soak the lines in the detergent bucket … trying not to beach too much)

As usual, I rented a Ford Focus again (below) and this time got a brand spanking new one. It is nice to rent a car with that new car smell.
Smile

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Trident LPG gas control switch, solenoid valve and detector

Posted By on March 16, 2014

IMG_2742s IMG_2743s

The to-do list for today listed the 12 volt LNG Propane gas switch, detector and solenoid diagnosis for the stove and oven aboard Encore. I almost ordered a new solenoid before the trip, but am glad I held off. Seems the weak link in the circuit is the detector/horn (top right) and has unfortunately been re-engineered by Trident Marine. I’m sending an email for advice but like most out of date components, suspect they’ll want me to install a new setup?

For now, I’m glad the solenoid still works so I’ve disconnected the gas detector … let’s just hope we don’t go BOOM! We’ll see.
Smile

There’s a long term solution to every problem

Posted By on March 16, 2014

Saw this cute story about a problem and laughed at the creative solution.

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According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington recently was faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night, the maintenance man would remove them and the next day, the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night. To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it. Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror. There are teachers, and then there are educators…

The local Osprey has targeted Encore today

Posted By on March 15, 2014

One would think that with me aboard working on a variety of projects this weekend that the fish eating Osprey would leave me alone? Unfortunately he or she has decided that a clean boat is a target (just finished washing down).

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Besides the bird bombing mess, my instrument upgrade did not go as planned. Unfortunately the information I was told regarding being able to use my old depth transducer with the used Raymarine ST60+ was false. I’m now suspecting that the existing transducer is 210khz and the Raymarine is 200khz? At least that is what I am hoping since I ordered a new in-hull transducer that I’m hoping will work. It’s never easy.

Freedompop LTE hotspot is better than Time Warner at home

Posted By on March 14, 2014

freedompopspeedtestfl140313Just another plug for Freedompop’s LTE wireless access; it is  providing better wifi access than public hotspots and even Time Warner Cable at home.

Hanging out with Encore and messing with electrical projects

Posted By on March 14, 2014

Although I know spring is around the corner, the Florida sunshine is nice, although I can’t say I felt much of it today as the temps were mid-60sencore140313 and I spend the afternoon with my head buried below decks working on electrical gremlins – with some success I might add.

Tomorrow the plan is to address the depth and transducer issues with the goal of not having to pull the boat out of the water just to pop out two of my three transducers. I’m hoping that the used Raymarine ST60+ displays I purchased will talk to my Navman  items and that I can figure out how to rewire the depth transducer.

I had the electric panel out today and as you can see there has been a few changed made over the years … and yes I also added another circuit for a soon to talk about project. One of these days I’m going to have to address the questionable panel.

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The Keystone Pipeline and the Political Theater of the Absurd

Posted By on March 12, 2014

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I keep thinking that something has got to give in Washington DC when it comes to the how the Obama administration and many in congress bog down the greatness of our country. The  lack of an economic recovery is hurting the middle class and there isn’t a commonsense reason for it. Take the debate over energy. We drive cars, heat our homes and generate electricity for everything from light to industry, yet regulations, red tape and politics hamstring the companies which explore, extract, transport and refine our nation’s natural resources. It is costing every American in higher prices and decent jobs … not just in the energy sector, but the economic expansion that occurs when companies expand here rather than overseas. We don’t need to borrow trillions of dollars for additional impotent government stimulus packages.

Events in the Ukraine and an all-night “hot-air” talkathon by Democrats in congress have brought energy back to the front burner again. Europe is so reliant on natural gas exported through the Ukraine that they find it keystonegraphic_cnbcdifficult to unite with economic sanctions against Russia’s annexation of Crimea … while in the U.S. we sit on an abundance of extraordinarily clean burning natural gas which face constant roadblocks based on political alliances.

The Keystone Pipeline is another ridiculous argument. I’ve been to Alberta where shale oil is being extracted (yes it is ugly) and to North Dakota where the landscape is dotted mile after mile with new oil and gas well. This energy will be used, whether today or tomorrow, and by us or someone else. It needs to be moved and what better way to do it than a pipeline? If the environmentalist goal is to protect the world in which we live, the pipeline is by far the safer and more efficient method to do this. Last year, I witness – truck after truck lining the roads heading south from Williston, ND. Train tankcar after tankcar is being being loaded and unloaded. In my opinion, doing it this way is just an environmental accident just waiting to happen.

Do people really think the world is going to stop using fossil fuels today … or in the next decade? Transporting by this method is so inefficient that Canada may just as well ship it across the Rockies and put it on tanker ship to China – do you think they are environmentally conscientious? If you’re really an environmentalist, support the pipeline and continue the good fight in developing alternatives that can sensibly and economically replace fossil fuels.

T. Boone Pickens was short and to the point Tuesday morning on CNBC’s Squawkbox (video below).

Mother Nature has turned up the thermostat this afternoon

Posted By on March 11, 2014

IMG_2715With today’s temperatures in the 70’s, I can help but start thinking about longer days and warmer evening. Ah … it will be nice to put this winter behind us. Tuesday afternoon is sunny and down right warm.

Unfortunately the weatherman says not so fast Ke-mo sah-bee (remembering The Lone Ranger). Maybe it is spelled Kemosabe or Kee-Mo Sah-Bee according to a quick Internet search?Interesting, the Ojibwe Native American word is “giimoozaabi” which in English translates to “scout.” 

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What is the best way to keep a load secure on top of your car?

Posted By on March 11, 2014

truckershitchWhile I was uploading a short knot tying video for a blog post the last week, it occurred to me that very few people know how to tie a proper Trucker’s Hitch as a way to secure a load to the top of their car or in a trailer (great for securing a tent to a stake too!)

The ability to gain a little mechanical advantage simulating a crude block and tackle in order to cinch the load down is the key, but so is being able to tie the final hitch to lock the load in place.  So … I figured another short video tip wouldn’t hurt (below).

Jobs for America: Ideas that made America great

Posted By on March 10, 2014

For a country that should have a robust economy, we’re not showing it when looking at the employment numbers or the average family’s purchasing power (link Gallup).

payroltopopulationgallup140

The U.S. Payroll to Population employment rate (P2P), as measured by Gallup, continued its recent decline in January, dropping to 42.0% from 42.9% in December. This is the lowest level for P2P since March 2011, when it was 41.9%.

Eventually voters are going to realize that President Obama’s “hope and change” ideas of more borrowing, spending, monstrous national debt, higher taxes, heavy regulations, reduced liberty and bigger government isn’t what made America great. Rather that dividing the country on multiple issues as the Obama administration resorts to, why not take a page from John F. Kennedy playbook? Presidential candidate Kennedy said in 1960, “a rising tide lifts all boats” while talking about the economy to blue collar Canton, Ohio.

Here’s a start … how about listening to a few ideas being discussed by moderate and sensible Ohio Senator Rob Portman? He shared 7 ideas in a GOP address which has bipartisan support and WILL make a difference. We need jobs and clearly what the liberal Democrats and Obama administration have tried is failing to bring prosperity to our country. Let’s apply some commonsense America.

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
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