Best Of

Thanks @Rich_ . @Willhound I don’t think we have black tip this far north.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-spiny-dogfish

Going by my post in this thread the belts will be 3 years old this year. So, I’ll replace both and stick with the Gates belt. Can’t go wrong for $25.

Go get a Gates belt from NAPA. They should be able to measure yours and get one that fits. 

My opinion, because the belt has very low cost, I will be replacing the belt after two years in both engine to be safe. 

Some before-and-after eye candy of the swim platform hydraulic pump system.  Last week I scraped off all the rust and applied gloss white POR.  Looks good from a distance.  Don't look too close or you'll see the brush marks.  I also cleaned the hydraulic check valves, and now the platform will hold position for 1-2 hours without the locks -- bonus!!  





I did not WANT to learn about hydraulic systems, but now I know the basics.  My friend asked why I didn't just retrofit a new lift instead of going to all this trouble.  I told him it would cost $40k and he said "ohhhh, now I get it!"

Half way across the bay heading home from a nice overnight stay at Fire Island with my 5 year old I lost steering! I right away thought I lost the pump but all of a sudden I get an overheat alarm on my Starboard engine. I knew right away after the alarm it was the belt. Shut her down, opened the hatch and the belt had a split and was off the engine. I dropped anchor and had my spare on in less than 90 seconds. I probably didn’t have to drop anchor but with it being just me and Ella I figured it was the safest thing to do. First time I’ve had this happen to me. Now, do I stick with the Gates belt or go back to Quicksilver?? ⚓️

I put her in!

She was ready to splash but with an expected crappy weekend I didn’t plan to launch but wanted to get the dock box, the new (to us) dinghy down to the club and fenders and lines on ready. So loaded up the Admiral’s Pilot Trailsport - that thing has more room than the Highlander we had, box slid in with room to spare all round -  headed down and got lines and fenders on. A storm was brewing apparently around 30 minutes away but the water was up so screw it, got a friend to grab a truck and get her in. Tied up at the ramp and it poured for another 30 mins but once done she fired up like I ran her yesterday. Docked at home slip, spend the afternoon while it rained again getting inside wiped down, water systems purged, checked AC (yes! it self primed this year) and changed out a noisy mid bilge pump.

Nice to be in, let the season begin!

@Pat310 what a bummer.
Got a good saying written on our white board at the office:

'how you do anything - is how you do everything'