Boat U.S. - January 2008 - (Page 17) jamming? I happen to still use Loran even though I also keep a GPS receiver on board. Likewise, I also have paper charts for my cruising area and try to keep up my coastal navigation skills. David Sneade Redondo Beach, CA askcap’ndrew Dear Cap’n Drew: In one of your and coat hangers as mandatory repair recent columns a reader asked about equipment can hang with me anytime! a leak in a water line, and you advised How about it, readers — any of you him/her of your practice always to have have any “specialty items” that you carry a roll of duct tape handy. I think you with you on the boat that you would “missed the boat” on this one. like to share with your fellow boaters? There is now available a superior tape Step up, everyone! There’s no need to of the same ilk, called "Gorilla Tape," feel ashamed anymore! Let us know the made by the makers of Gorilla glue. It is weird things that you have used to repair twice as thick, more flexible, far stickier, your boat. and much longer lasting than duct tape. It is considerably more resistant to heat Dear Cap’n Drew: While changing and weathering. gear oil in one It's black, so it engine, I spilled becomes invisible several quarts into far more readthe bilge. What do ily than silver duct I do? tape. Of course it's more expensive, — Russ T. too. Your typical roll No Address Given is in the neighborhood of $8, but it’s Dear Russ: worth it. First of all, when In addition to things like this the duct — or happen, you Gorilla — tape, shouldn’t write (four-in-one) screwto ask a guy who driver and pliers won’t get you the that you recomanswer for two mend, I always months. Most Famous Moments in Boating History: July 18, 1932- Stan Horowitz of Michigan is the first to have along a wire marine stores will storm out of his house after a fight with his wife coat hanger, for sell pads that soak yelling over his shoulder, "I'm going to the boat!" those jobs where up oil and other the strength, heat Copyright © 2007 Drew Brown nasty material. resistance, and/ They’re not expenor poke-ability are sive and are handy needed. And a small pair of vice-grips, to have around. usually for the occasions where you These things are incredibly absorbent. need grip strength and/or two pairs of I once spilled my last beer on one and pliers. These two small additions to the spent the next half-hour sucking on the kit make it far more useful. thing. I must have looked like Linus with a concussion. — Court G. Even if you have cleaned up the spill VT (and hopefully you have), I would suggest grabbing a bunch of these and stowing Dear Court: You are a man after my them somewhere. Spills in the bilge will own heart! You truly sound like the masget pumped out into the water, which is ter of improvising and jury-rigging repairs not only illegal but terrible for the envifor broken boats. I have heard of gorilla ronment. Furthermore, it’s tough to get cages, gorilla reserves, gorilla food and that smell out of the bilge. Good luck! I even call my mother-in-law “gorilla mom” — but I have never heard of Cap’n Drew Brown is the author of gorilla tape. Court, you are truly a “real the boating humor book, “What’s A Hoy? boater.” Anyone who considers duct (or A Guide to Modern Boating.” Gorilla) tape, four-in-one screwdrivers E-mail him at capn@capndrew.com. Simply Service An overdue compliment! I am a Canadian but for many years I have based my vessel, a Bayfield 40 ketch, on the U.S. Atlantic Seaboard. Once I'd learned of the Boat Owners Association, it seemed only common sense to become a member. A sensible decision! Over the years since I've obtained much useful information from the magazine and have been more than grateful on a couple of occasions for the help of TowBoatU.S., subscription to that service has become for me mandatory insurance for being on the water. So, what's prompted this note? The brief article by Caroline Ajootian in the November issue about EPIRBs and other rescue signaling devices. I thought this an extraordinarily clear, helpful explanation of what's what — and the inset about the BoatU.S. EPIRB rental program a useful reminder of a valuable service of the Association. One has to be grateful for the sagacity and energy of founder Richard Schwartz and his colleagues in putting together the Association and all its services, a strong organization protecting the interests of recreational boaters, fishermen and everyone concerned with the marine environment. James Midwinter Ottawa, Ontario Crazy Repair Job In the DIY Boat Owner article in the November issue, the descriptions of fiberglass problems were nicely written. Better than any previous information that I have read. My 1968 Pearson had a different problem. It was 100% crazed with surface fractures in the gelcoat on both the hull and deck. The fiberglass contractor in the boatyard explained that it was repairable, but would take a lot of work. He guided me through the whole process. People have said that the boat was too far gone and not to tackle the job. But I did anyway. A lot of sanding and many coats later, not only was the boat restored, but it became the cover page of the Pearson35.com web site. Ray Schmidt Woodbridge, NJ BY CAP’N DREW BROWN BoatU.S. Magazine January 2008 17 http://www.Pearson35.com
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