Recent content by TomRay

I found the plastic nipple on the rubber hose leading up from the lower unit broken. It's part number 65 in this picture: http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamah ... parts.html What is that? It has clearly been broken for years. Someone on another forum says it's for a speedometer, but I don't...

I would try some of the plastic "slide" things over bare wood and skip the carpet entirely. There's a reason there are several posts already about how staples and roof nails corrode. Also, the carpet holds moisture, making the wood deteriorate faster. Also, the carpet holds salt (in salt water)...

So many joke possibilities, so little time... ;)

We have video of the other Rangers at speed, but did not get the opportunity to shoot the 29 from a chase boat or a bridge as I did with the 25 and 21. The folks from Ranger had some professionals make a video and virtual tour, and Jeff told me it will be ready in a month or so. Should look a...

Ranger Tugs R-29 video

That was very kind of Marc to allow us to use his images on our site. I hope to put up more pictures of the boat and a video after I get back from the Miami Boat Show this weekend.

I have almost that much in paddles and two Mirage drives. More if you count the Mirage Drive I lost in the creek. :oops: Over the life of the boats, it's still cheap boating, and just like all boats, you pay more for speed and special features (like being able to put a 16' sailboat in the tiny...

In other Adventure Island news, I put a jib on one of mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44tZq2W6_08 And there is apparently a tandem Adventure Island in development, but we're not supposed to know. ;)

I agree in both cases. I once assembled my Klepper aboard a 24' deck boat, with great difficulty. I was very impressed that it was even possible. It needs a space about 16' by 5' to be easily assembled. On the deck boat, I had the 16' but not the 5', so I did parts of the assembly with the boat...

I have owned my Klepper Aerius Expedition w/sail kit for about 15 years, and really love the boat. I don't sail it often because I'm scared of flipping in high winds and it takes a while to set up, so most of my experience is just paddling the boat. I have taken it on a few cruising boats and...

If you like to anchor out, Pelican Bay near the mouth of Charlotte Harbor is a great spot. At nearby Cabbage Key you can get a decent expensive hamburger in a most interesting atmosphere, rumored to be where Jimmy Buffett wrote "Cheeseburger in Paradise." Good marinas in our area if you won't...

Wow, I heard Parrot Jungle was going away when I left Miami in the 1990's, but it looks like it has been reborn as Jungle Island. Really neat place.

The closest hotel to stay would be near Bayside Marina, but you don't want to walk to the cruise ships. The port complex is huge. I'd look for a hotel in Coconut Grove over South Beach myself.

I see that situation several times each year (another one showed up yesterday). Everything you said is right on. I would also add that it's a situation that gets worse with time, especially with newer boats. They depreciate faster than you pay off the loan, so if you have to come up with a few...

The current rate sheet I just got from Brooke The Boat Loan Babe at Newcoast Financial Services shows 8.25% on loans of $25,000 to $50,000, 7.75% on $50,000 to $100,000, and 6.88% on over $100,000. brooke at newcoast dot com.