For the Laurie Ann, I really start watching when the depth is less than 5 feet and take evasive action when it hits 3 feet. But, I have the depth sounder calibrated to give me the amount of water that is under the keel. So, when my depth sounder says three feet, that is three feet of water under the...

If you have a Raymarine Multifunction Display (aka chartplotter), there is a software update that has come out. It is version 5.04 and can be downloaded off of the Raymarine website. The website has clear directions how to upload the software onto your unit. If you do not know your software version ...

A general rule about 12 volt systems: 80% of the problems are caused by a bad ground connection

As you think about and plan your assessment, I would concentrate on the ground connections. One may be vibrated loose or was chafed or got badly corroded.

I suggest that you pay attention to the hissing noises and why the bilge pump is cycling. There should not be hissing noises and the bilge pump running means there is water to get rid of. There may be other causes, but I would first look at the seal between the impeller cover plate and the engine bl...

If and when any of you come by Hat Island - opposite of Everett - give a toot! Our cabin looks to the north and is straight across from Tulalip Bay. We'll be out on the deck looking for ranger tugs!

Laurie

We were pleased to see a merlot-colored Ranger 29 heading west from Everett, WA, past our cabin on Hat Island on Monday, August 16 at about 7 PM. You are looking good!

Who are you?

The Laurie Ann is nearly completely repaired from our three weeks of boating. We have: 1. Added a crab trap hoist that is a Scotty brand, an adjustable arm that tilts and swivels and has a pulley on the end. Costs about $40. We bolted it on the starboard side, under the cockpit side rails near the s...

The grab rails are secured to the cabin roof by a threaded stud from the hand rail and bolted on the inside of the cabin. I suggest, finding the suspected leaker, slitting the fur liner, removing the bolt and try to put sealant between the handrail and the outside cabin surface. Gooping it around th...

We put a 8-6 dinghy on the transom of the Laurie Ann because it is trailered a lot and we did not want the additional overhang. Also, docking is tricky enough but having the dinghy potentially hitting the dock first before the fenders was something that we could prevent. We have used our dinghy exte...

The Laurie Ann's two bilge pumps do make a noise when they are running, wet or dry, probably because these are 12 volt motors that are not insulated or mounted for sound-deadening. I believe that what you are hearing is normal and expected. Using the circuit breaker switch will turn on the bilge pum...

Zuma - Small "tug world". . . the Laurie Ann was at Discovery Harbour Marina just last Thursday. Take a look at the boat ramp just to the north of the fuel dock and the fishing fleet and you'll see where we launched and retrieved the boat. Nice marina and very convenient to lots of shoppin...

David and Maureen -

The Laurie Ann will also plan to arrive on Wednesday afternoon, September 8. We are planning to help out in any way that we can and are looking forward to this 2nd annual event!

Laurie

I am glad you wrote about this because I had the same problem. We had sudden an unexplained light brown staining of the fur next to the cabin door. I started near the top of the cabin, not at the top which is strange, continued along side the rear window and down about six inches. I am not certain o...

This is the last day of the trip journal. We pulled the anchor at first light to make the slack tide in Discovery Passage. In 45 minutes we had motored to Campbell River and back to the Discovery Harbor Marina where we got re-connected to the Internet. The tug is being trailered back home on Thursda...

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Though we all first awoke at 6:00 AM, everyone, including Boots, went back to sleep and dreamed deeply until 9 AM. Boating is hard work and it saps your mental facilities requiring rest and rejuvenation; that is my story and I am sticking to it. After a splendid breakfast of e...