- Hold one end of the string in your left hand, and one end in your right hand.
- Make a small loop with the end of the string in your left hand. These instructions assume you start with an “underhand” loop, so that the free end of the string is under the intersection formed by the loop.
- Put the end of the string in your right hand through the loop made by your left hand. The end should be coming towards you as it goes through the loop.
- Bring the end around (behind) the string that is facing up from the loop.
- Put that same string back through the loop. This time the end is going away from you.
- Take the top loose string in your left hand and all the rest of the string and pull in opposite directions to tighten the hitch.
matthew morrision Tip's and tricks How to tie a bowline knot
You should have a shop check the following: Compression on each cylinder.
Rod end play on each cylinder.
Vacuum and pressure test gear case.
Check water pump and thermostat operation.
Check over-heat buzzer for proper operation.
Check ignition for spark on all cylinders.
A good trained visual inspection.
These tasks take less than an hour to perform in labor, and a lube-change for the gear case.
Lube costs about ten bucks and labor costs forty or fifty bucks.
AFTER YOU HAVE THESE CHECKS: Have the owner take you out for a ride and run at high speed for a few minutes, listen for buzzers, noises, etc.
If it runs and sounds okay, you’ll probably be alright.
When you buy anything used; well you know how it goes
And always have fun 
Gunnar Schrade Buying a boat, Tip's and tricks
Why Boats Sink in the Spring
Are you as excited as we are about the upcoming boating season? Did mentioning “Spring” in our title for the third time in 10 days give us away?
We armed you with some great spring commissioning resources last week, but thought it was worth another look after BoatU.S. announced the top five causes of springtime boat sinkings earlier this week. The list was compiled from a summary of BoatU.S. marine insurance claims files.
Why Boats Sink in the Spring
Some of the reasons that boat sink may surprise you, but all can be avoided with proper maintenance. The top five reasons boat sink in the springtime are:
1. Missing or damaged hose clamps
2. Unsecured engine hoses
3. Spring rains
4. Broken sea strainer
5. Leaking stuffing box
What can you do about it?
- BoatU.S. has their own spring commissioning checklist which is worth checking out, along with more details behind their top-5 list, at their website.
- After last week’s post, we received this very useful spring commissioning article by Cpt. Vincent Pica, a District Captain in the USCG Auxiliary and publisher of the Atlantic Maritime Academy website.
- And of course we also encourage you to review our spring commissioning post from last week, which includes tips and resources from several other trusted sources.
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Gunnar Schrade Tip's and tricks
