Cabin door lock trick:
When you unlock the door to the cabin, do not turn the key as far as it will go. Turn it only 90 degrees then remove the key. Now you can lock and unlock the cabin door from the inside.
When you unlock the door to the cabin, turn the key as far as it will go. Now you can not lock the cabin door from the inside.





It’s ironic that I’m posting this on a reply to a professional lock smith. LOL

 

Super Iron Out

 

Always carry a spare relay.

Be friendly with your local service operator:grin::thumbsup:

 

1) Start the starboard engine first, it's crankier and needs a little more warm up time than the port engine.
2) Check the screws on the stupid mirror cabinets. They are the WORST hinges and loosen up and fall out all the time!

OK, generically for all boats here are a couple:

1) When launching your boat, note where the water line is in relation to your truck rear tires when the boat floats off the trailer. Back to the same point, or just slightly higher when retrieving and you won't have to winch your boat very far. Of course, this assumes a properly adjusted trailer. Most folks are in such a hurry to get the boat OFF the trailer they miss this key piece of information.

2) Watch out for spotlight eating trees while driving around with it on the trailer. Don't ask me how I know this one! Don't veer off your normal route to and from the water! Know how high and WHERE the highest point is on the arch!

 

Oil Change:

Bought a drill motor pump, (the kind of pump that attaches to your drill) some thick wall i.d. 1/2” tubing, a 5 gallon bucket, a female hose end attachment, and a couple of clamps from Home Depot. Cut a hole in the top of the bucket for the hose, plus a small air outlet hole, and hook up the hose end to your dip stick, drill pump, start your drill and change your oil in (no kidding 10 minutes) per engine!
Of course you need to make a stop at your local auto parts store for your favorite type of oil (yet another thread) and filter.

 

Always, repeat, Always explain to guests how to operate the head and faucets. Replace the sticker on the head frequently to hilite what does and what does not get flushed...
Stowaway Boat Fenders- saved my gelcoat many a time and are easily stored...

 

1. I highly recommend the Ironwood-Pacific Top-Snapper Tool if you regularly snap and unsnap canvas covers.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...0&Ns=0&keyword=IRONWOOD&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=18&subdeptNum=58&classNum=595

2. Baby wipes are great for keeping adult & children hands, face, and other body parts clean. As they contain no alcohol, the wipes are safe to clean counters too.

 

Wash the boat after every use. Nice to walk onto a clean ready to go boat every weekend.

docking With stern drives, turn the wheel before you put it in gear and use only the outside engine(if you have twins). Much more controlled and keeps the speed down.

 

Not sure these are tricks but...

If you have an outside ice maker or refrig, when not in use leave the door cracked open. This will help to keep the moisture levels down, which is a killer to these things.

Keep a set of shop towels in the engine compartment, you always need them there.

Prior to working in the engine compartment, roll up the carpet so you are not tracking grease/grime on it when you come out.

Try not to be the loudest boat music wise, or the one with the most chicks in bikinis when passing the Po Po...chances are they will pull you over.

To stop black streaking on the hull, install strips of isinglass under the bumper rail where the water runs over.

 

Where do you get strips of isinglass?

 

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"Where do you get strips of isinglass?"

Local canvas guy cut me up some for free from his scraps. 12 - 24" wide by 2" high, I rounded off the edges. Works like a charm...no more black streaks.

 

Rub Rail, Greg

 

Thanks Frank

 

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And what mechanic would that be ?

 

Greg's of course, pay attention ;-)

 

I like the "303 Aerospace Protectant" for vinyl, fiberglass and I've used it on the trailer tires as well.

 

I find that if you invite a very wealthy person who absolutely insists on paying for fuel, it greatly enhances the boating experience!!

 

This works GREAT if you ask for money before you get to the lake. THEN later again after everyones had a few drinks and forgotten about it. :lol: I've managed to do this a couple times.

Hell this trick even works when being a DD for the night.

 

Off topic, but I called it a gunrail because I really wish there was a gun up there half the time when I'm working.

It's a joke around the shop apparently not understood by some.

 

When polishing your hull, tape the bottom paint off first. This way you won't be cursing at yourself if you accidentally get wax on it .......because that stuff doesn't come off.:smt021

If you run with camper canvas in place, especially in cooler weather, get yourself a CO meter with a digital readout and place it in your cockpit so you can keep an eye on CO levels.

 

+1

Or better yet, wax first, then have the bottom painted. Like you, we did the same. I ended sanding and repainting the water line area after applying the wax..

 

1. Use candle wax/old candle to "grease" the snaps and apply lightly on the zippers to keep them from sticking.

2. Use laundry dryer sheets to clean water spots off windscreen. For tough water spots use Bar Keepers Friend (like Comet but w/o the abrasives) available at local grocer.

3. Use Pledge and micro towels to finish isenglass (after washing salt off and drying). Use original Pledge if you can find it or Lemon Pledge if you can't... Works great... :thumbsup:

 

1) When you are on the hook and it is time to leave, you need to say please to the Admiral before tossing her a bucket and brush to clean the chain and anchor while you bring it up....

2) Never argue with the better half when she is packing enough stuff for a two week cruise when you are only going out for a weekend. Besides you never run out of MGD64 that way!

 

Does "DD" mean Double Dipper ?

 

conditioning the vinyl - after you clean you're seats break out a bottle of babyoil and rub it all over the seats. if you acctually have a couple of bow bunnies that are willing, rub the oil on them and then have them rub it all over the seats.

when changing the oil (on a romte mounted filter) punch a hole in the oil filter to break the vacum and let the oil in the filter trickle back into the engine prior to removing the filter. make less of a mess.

Make your boat your's - Don't be afriad to put a hole in you're boat to make it more usefull or more fun to be on; for you and your family. also if you need a good idea, next time your docking over night away from home check out the small cruisers to see what neat thing they have down to make their boat have all the features of a bigger boat.

 

1. When you need a helping hand to hold a nut you can't reach while you turn the screw.....
2. Calmly discuss your upcoming approaches and departures with those who will be helping instead of yelling over the engines, wind, and music in the heat of the moment.

 

Collinite's No. 845 Insulator wax for Strataglass.

Hold rails EVERYTIME you are navigating steps. Don't ask.


Paul

 

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