TO CLEAN IT
February 2005 Newswheel
PLEDGE - Plexiglas windshields often blur from rain and spray. Enter Pledge. It cleans plastic glass (nice oxymoron) and helps water bead and run away. To remove water stains, simply spray on and wipe with a clean cloth. Now you will know what you are really seeing.
THE WORKS - With the Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner, elbow grease is at a minimum when swabbing a water-stained fiberglass hull, the plastic cowling of an outboard or an engine's metal drive shaft housing. Create a 4:1 solution of water and the Works, then squirt on and wipe off. You will be surprised at how quickly it eats through stains.
LEMON JUICE - Did you know that citrus eliminates fishy smells? Rinse your live well thoroughly with water and clean off any fish goo. Next, pour in half a bottle of lemon juice concentrate and fill your well with fresh water. Run the liquid through the pump on recirculating mode. Use4 leftover juice for the cutting board: First, scrub the board with salt and a wet towel, then rinse and wipe with the juice.
DAWN DISH SOAP - To cut through the oil and funk of your bilge water, squirt a hefty load of Dawn liquid dish soap and foam it up with a hose. Better yet, if the bounce the bubbles into further motion. Grease and grime will coagulate and you will be able to remove chunks of oil by hand.
EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER - Want to remove the paint-on name from you fiberglass boat? Easy-Off Oven Cleaner on a rag will remove it faster than you can say Mom' Mink. When the paint is off, wipe away the excess oven cleaner and rinse well.
COCA-COLA - There is nothing like the real thing when it comes to removing corrosive buildup from battery terminals. Pour some Coke on your problem and watch the acid in it melt the mess away. Be sure to rinse well with fresh water to avoid any sticky, sugary leftovers.
BAKING SODA - What's not to love about baking soda, perhaps the best cleaner in the boating universe? For mild corrosion on battery posts, mix one part powder with three parts water and scrape with a brush. Baking soda also makes an excellent all-purpose cleaner. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 cup ammonia with 1 gallon warm water and pour into a spray bottle. The potion works on deck and hauls stains, not to mention for general head cleaning and cabin use.
I LOVE WD-40!
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. It's name comes from the project that was to find a "water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.
The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts.
The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling (also) known as "shrinkage" or "steaflng" it out to use at home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in aerosol cans.
The rest, as they say, is history.
It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. Only one of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 million gallons of the stuff manufactured each year. It gets its distinctive smell from a fragrance that is added to the brew. Ken East says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
Here are some of the uses: Protects silver from tarnishing Cleans and lubricates guitar strings Gets oil spots off concrete driveways Gives floors that "just-waxed" sheen without making it slippery Keeps flies off cows Restores and cleans chalkboards Removes lipstick stains Loosens stubborn zippers Untangles jewelry chains Removes stains from stainless steel sinks Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing
Removes tomato stains from clothing Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors
Keeps scissors working smoothly Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes
Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide
Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding
mowers Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close
Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as
vinyl bumpers Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and bicycles for easy
handling Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools Removes splattered grease on stove Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging
Lubricates prosthetic limbs Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell) Removes all traces of duct tape I have even heard of folks spraying it on their arms, hands, knees to
relieve arthritis pain. One fellow claims spraying it on fishing lures attracts fish. WD-40 has been designated the "official multipurpose problem-solver of
NASCAR," a ringing endorsement if there ever was one. Can WD-40 solve the Jeff Gordon problem? In celebration of their 50th year, the company conducted a contest to learn
the favorite uses of its customers and fan club members. (Yes, there is a WD-40
Fan Club). They compiled the information to identify the favorite use in each of
the 50 states. Naturally I was curious about Georgia and Alabama and found the
favorite use in both states was that it "penetrates stuck bolts, lug nuts, and
hose ends." Florida's favorite use was "cleans and removes lovebugs from grills
and bumpers." California's favorite use was penetrating the bolts on the Golden
Gate Bridge. Let me close with one final, wonderful use - the favorite use in the state of
New York - WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements. No wonder they've had 50 successful years. (Source: Newswheel April 2004) April 2004 Test 1. A power-driven vessel
underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel: A.
not under command B.
restricted in her ability to maneuver C.
engaged in fishing D.
all of the above 2. A vessel sounding a fog
signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast is indicating that the
vessel is: A.
fishing B.
in distress C.
at anchor D.
not under command 3. Two all-round red lights
displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel: A.
being towed B.
pushing a barge ahead C.
at anchor D.
not under command 4. Your vessel is underway
in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 30" on
your starboard bow. If danger of collision exists, you must-. A.
alter course to starboard to pass around the other vessel's stern B.
slow your engines and let the other vessel pass ahead of you C.
reduce your speed to bare steerageway D.
alter course to port and pass the other vessel on its port side 5. You are underway in fog
and you hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This is a vessel A.
towing B.
engaged on pilotage duty C.
aground in a fairway D.
stopped and making no way through the water 6. A sailing vessel is NOT
allowed to show the all-round red over green lights on the mast if A.
she is showing sidelights B.
her sidelights are combined and shown on the fore and aft centerline of the
vessel
C. she is showing a stern light D.
her sidelights and stern light are combined in one lantern and shown on the mast 7. According to the Rules,
which vessel is NOT restricted in her ability to maneuver? A.
A vessel servicing a navigation marker B.
A sailing vessel
C. A vessel mine clearing D.
A vessel dredging 8. Distress signals may be
A.
red flares B.
smoke signals C.
sound signals D.
Any of the above 9. Five or more short
blasts on a vessel's whistle indicates that she is: A.
in doubt that another vessel is taking sufficient action to avoid a collision B.
altering course to starboard C.
altering course to port D.
the stand-on vessel and will maintain course and speed 10. In order for a stand-on
vessel to take action in a situation, she must determine that the other vessel
A.
is restricted in her ability to maneuver B.
has sounded the danger signal C.
is not taking appropriate action D.
has not changed course since risk of collision was determined (Source: Newswheel
April 2004) 1:D 2:C 3:D 4:C 5:A 6:D 7:B 8:D 9:A 10:C
[1] Buying clean diesel fuel Bill Hammond on Crazy Lady suggests buying diesel fuel only from a
high-volume dealer, and then late in the day after a number of boats have
taken on fuel. Fuel docks that cater to charter boats, sport fishermen, and
commercial fishermen generally have clean fuel. They can't afford the ill
will that would come from delivering dirty fuel.
[3] Chemical Powered Anchor Light
The glow sticks popular these days with the young can be used as an anchor
light. Get the white color from the discount stores when they get near
there expiration date. They are quite bright and glow for 12 hours perhaps
loosing a little strength as daylight arrives. Should you have battery
problems or just want a little more visibility in a designated anchorage,
just activate and tie it in a location consistent with the rules for an
anchor light. You sleep better at night knowing a strong battery will
start the engine in the morning.
[4]
Block Ice AND Cool Drinks
Make your own block ice for long cruises but instead of freezing water in
your milk jugs use ice
tea, lemonade, or any other drink you wish. You not only have to find ice
less often but get cool drinks as they melt. The empty
cooler on the return trip can be used to bringing home local seafood
or produce.
{from the book: "Why Didn't I Think of That?"
Roberts, McGraw Hill}
Dennis Lorenz - Kraken
Maureen Samuels - Kraken