7 OUTDOOR SUPPLEMENT —MAY).1971 _— bop a boat trail roms ms Be sure er has ™ good overhaul __ By KELLEY HALL ‘ Spring is the time to make a thorough check of your outboard motor. Mind you, winter is an “even better time to take it into’ your outboard dealer's shop and have in overhauled, — But, if-you are like thousands of others, you will rush in at the last minute and hope to get it done overnight, If he is jammed up with work there are many items’ of maintenance you can do yourself, in fact they should be done periodically throughout the boating season. Four basic points, apart from lubrication, in keeping an out- board trouble free are: main- taining a hot spark, servicing the spark plugs, adjusting the ear- buretor and making sure the gasoline is getting to the motor in - a clean state. Basically your dealer can - clean the carburetor, make a magneto inspection and breaker ° point adjustments to the manufacturer’s specifications. He can also reset the electrode © * gaps. But the owner should also make a point of cleaning them and adjusting the gas regularly: Also’ make sure the outside porcelain is dry, Wet porcelain can short out the motor, and always carry a spare set of plugs. ‘Check the pull rope on a rope Starter to be sure it isn't frayed. If the outboard is equipped with an electric starter the battery should be checked and recharged before using, During the summer months the battery water level ‘should be checked regularly, There is a certain amount of evaporation from heat, When the spark plugs are out rotate the crankshaft by operating the starter. This will remove oil deposits that have _ formed ‘in the cylinders and crankcase, This brings up the point of lubrication. Too much oil will foul the plugs and too little will leave the gears and other working parts dry. Consult your outboard manual for the correct. + Amount - of voll and - lubricate: .,. f senpegularly.." -.- " Be sure td lubricate all linkage, — Bear shift, lever shaft, etc. and here again refer to your main ‘tenance manual for lubrication points. Apply a good quality Marine grease especially to the propellor shaft splines: and a fitting located under swivel bracket which is’ often overlooked. covey pet hh a Greasing is particularly im- portant if you are going to use the outboard in salt water, as the salt can corrode the metal fittings, Be sure to lubricate the lower drive, or gear box, regularly as there is usually a seepage of. water into the housing. - If the motor has an upper vent and a lower drain plug remove both Plugs and let the oii drain ou Using a lubricant recom- mended by the manufacturer, squirt it in the lower hole until it comes out-the upper vent, Then cap the vent hole to form an air lock, remove lubricant tube and replace drain plug. . Be sure that the screw gaskets are snug, thus preventing water from leaking into the housing. Check the water inlet and make sure that there is no ob- struction on the cooling water Pipe. ’ Examine all fuel tanks and see that they are free of rust and not leaking. Thé filter bowl should also be cleaned of all rust and dirt. And the fuel lines and connections need to be checked for damage or loose connections. If the boat has remote controls check. the cable operation and lubricate it, Remove .propellor and have’ cracks and bends repaired and have blades replaced if very badly bent. It should also be checked for pitch and balance. Nicks and burrs can be trimmed with a file but do not remove too mouch metal, Retouch any damaged or Scraped paint surfaces and in the case of metal, remove any rust and then dab on some protective paint to prevent rusting again. Once the overhaul is finished make a second check for loose, or missing parts. . . And once the boat is on the water for the season make sure: The load is distributed so the hull rides at its best angle for power. Keep the hull free of grass and in salt water, barnacles. They can reducespeed and waste gasoline. In weedy areas check the prop On long runs do not have the throttle wide open. Ifleft open for long periods the engine will heat up and there is a waste of gas and power. ; Remember the outhoard motor is an investment. Proper maintenance will help protect that investment, Boating can be one of the finest recreation sports there is but one mistake can change a pleasant outing into a disaster. Follow, ’ some of the suggestions below and make your boating trip safer, . If the water does look choppy, and this goes for lakes as well as. coastal waters, be sure all persons have life jackets,and are wearing them. If you are caught out in the open water when a storm threatens, head for closest safe anchorage or duck behind an island or headland. - Overloading a boat is dangerous. Below is a rough guide of the number. of persons and the maximum weight that - should be carried in row boats or small power boats. If rough water conditions prevail it is advisable to cut your passengers by one before leaving the dock, f Boating is fine sport but follow regulations Never: operate near swim- mers. Use a leaky boat. Mix liquor and boating. Cruise fast when near small boats. Leave your tiller or steering wheel unattended. Throw garbage overboard, Anchor close to other boats. Hold races with other boats, near an anchorage, thus . making a wash that could swamp canoes-or small row boats. And Do: : _ Observe the Department of Transport regulations. Assist any boat in distress, the waving in a circular motion of a piece of light matertal or a light by night is a distress signal. Do slow down when passing dredges, or making sharp turns, or passing small boats in narrow water. So Learn. the rules of the road from the Department of Tran- sport and follow them regarding d Wales intake fn casé they are. Hawes e ae a LAUNCHING A BOAT can be tricky but these fishermen hav ~ Up, a hand on bow rope and traller not too far in lake. _ hope they come back with some fish. e their twin Evinrudes pulled Everything correct so far but let’s a HERE ARE THE SIGNALS It's easy to ski on water The sport of water skiing is 5. Extended right hand with growing so fast that on some firstfingerused topoint direction lakes there is a hazard of traffic skier wishes-to go. jams. 6. Right hand thumb down The number of boats and skiers Means slow down on the speed. has increased tremendously in One of the most important the past few years and the boat : driver and the skier should be 2 Federation | ames head even more aware of -local regulations on water skiing. The Canadian . Wildlife Federation has elected Jack They should algo always keep a O'Dette of Kingston, Ont, as lookout for other boats, skiers, swimmers and hazards such as president at its annual meeting half-sunk deadheads, rocks, etc. this spring. ; _ Novice skiers should not try any tricky maneuvers until the skier has mastered the sport. Gordon Peel of Edmonton is a new vice-president joining Hugh Fairn of Wolfville, N.S. and Andy Where there are no local boating laws let common sense be your guide and if the skier “sees danger ahead let go of the . handle and drop off, ‘ Hand signals are vital in water Rankin af Moose Jaw, Sask. on siding as they providea means of “The seventh annual meeting of communication between the boat the federation approved a operator and the skier: There are. asking., the: ‘six bidsie' water. sing, signals,“ Bovettattent ty Gecalten Steet 1, Making a circle with your quality environment as a. right thumb and first finger - national goal achievement. - means everything is O.K. , Formation of an ene 2, Putting your right hand, ‘vironmental council, similar to extended, under your chin palm the Science and Economic _down means “cut”, the skier Councils of Canada, was urged intends to drop off. and it would be responsible for 3. Open right palm held up policies and priorities relating to with palm facing the driver environment, means stop, The federation also asked for 4. Right thumb up means more _ legislation to protect endangered speed. wildlife species, — Fae aM sta Mate MPF HOO OTe%e| SnerieTaraTeTaratatatetet tata etat tate aa EMME Ltt ety . ‘ Has eeletete eT z | Pull-off tabs are real ‘deadly’ bait for fish Here are two more good reasons why you should put those empty pop and beer cans in a garbage receptable or take.them back to a disposal centre. AUS. fish biologist has found that the empty cans thrown into streams and lakes become fish traps. Salmon smolts, and small steelhead and trout sought the cans as a hiding place and then were unable to get back out. ; The pull or snap-off tabs are also a menace. When tossed overboard from a boat or wharf they wobble like fishing lures and they sink through the water. ; : The fish strike and swallow them. If it’s a small fish the metal + will kill them. : Next time you pause for a drink, put the tab and the empty can ; in your litter bag and take it to a receptable. It gives the fish a : * better chance to strike your lure instead ofa tab. : Peet MA oars To ent UCAS Mee pe PA RIE Ss eee arora ere Le ereLeceinzeceeesa raPaOO LHe AleS tat ataPaPPIRLPIPCAALOLesOLNT#Ie TA eT eta aaa aaa Tana aM aaNet Pett, Mata at ate EM NN ata e things in water skiing is the start or take-off. The driver should follow a straight course so the. skier can gain his balance before turning. . When the skier shouts “Hit It* the line should be taut ready for take-off. and there should be enough throttle to pull the skier rapidly to the surface. When turning swing wide, especially if the skier is on the inside of a turn. Never make a turn that will give the tow line. Water skiers should avoid _ Congested areas such as marinas and beaches. The operator should also avoid shallow water, rocky areas and sea-weed areas, Some areas have rules for- bidding skling in the dark. Every ‘water skier should make it a ‘Mandatory rule in his own book, an: unreasonable amount of slack in © a good spring cl : By RICH WEEKS Boat owners spend most of - their time getting the craft ship ‘shape for the season but neglect the trailer that is going to carry — the boat to the launching ramp. Here are some hints. and Suggestions dealing with that long neglected but necessary - piece of outdoor equipment, the boat trailer. - First, the trailer itself. Be sure it is large enough to handle the boat, engine and gear you have stowed in the boat. The larger the tlree the better. Small tires cannot take the strain of driving at more than 50 miles per hour. At that speed, by the car speedometer, the trailer tres are turning at around & mph. Car size wheels and strong frames, springs and axles may cast more but they also add up on the safety side of the ledger. It is also a good idea to carry a Spare tire and wheel in the car in is also a pressure can_tire- repairer on the market now that can inflate a tire on the spot. _ If you are buying a new trailer - check to see if it has a pair of positioning rollers, which help guide the boat into position on the trailer. Also it should have a safety chain that fits from the car to a place on the trailer arm behind the coupler ball. A tle- down strap keeps the boat snug and works well. On a fibreglass boat there should be a pad bet- ween the strap and ‘the boat. An electric winch saves alot of - time and muscle straining when winching a heavier boat from the water. ; Check regulations regarding lights, reflectors, turn lights, licences, etc., in Canadian provinces or in the United States. They vary in various sections of the country. Be sure you know and obey the trailering safety rules. First balance the boat on the trailer so that most of the weight - is on the wheels. Check the tire pressures and see if they are Tight for the load. Tworules to follow when on the toad with a boat trailer are: Reduce your normal driving speed and increase your normal ~ following distance.*' 0. “Yon need more distance to stop case the trailer has a flat. There . _because of the extra momentum “caused by the extra weight. This is why you should travel slower. When passing another’ vehicle ‘be sure to signal, swing wide so the boat will not hit the vehicle you are passing and be sure the road ahead is clear of oncoming traffic. Make an extra wide turn of corners so your trailer will not jump the curb. _ Launching the trailer is easy if you follow the rules. Back to the water at a right angle to the shoreline and be sure it is on a gradual slope. Remember when backing turn the car steering wheel clockwise {right directional circle) if you want the trailer to go to the left and counter-clockwise (left directional circle) ifyou want the _,failer to go right. When youare at the edge of the water take off rear clainps and any tiedown straps, tilt motor ean-up | Sup, unlock bow winch and back “up until trailer wheels are in the ‘water an-inch or two. - ‘:-Before.you -start.on your ‘boating trip it is a good‘ idea to. “make a check of the trailer. Here ‘are a few tips: oe "Be sure the tires are in- good condition. Check your bearings for rust or corrosion, If they look bad have them repacked and have tires switched. Have them packed with grease at least once .@ season, : i “Clean and oil the coupler ‘mechanism and the rollers, making sure they turn freely. ‘Clean the brakes, tighten bolts and running gear, checking axle, Springs and fenders. -"Té the trailer is equipped with lights a coating of waterproof grease will keep the wires and sockets from corroding. Most boat trailers come with maintenance instructions. Campmobile organized Volkswagen’s Westfalia Campmobile turns a little space into a lot of room. That’s because it's so well organized. it is a new way of camping: You go just about anywhere you like, with the least fuss, the least planning and the least cost. Slide open the huge door of the _ Westfalia Campmobile and you enter a kitchen complete with - work spaces, sink and a 7 % gallon supply of fresh water, A compact cabinet contains the sink, a utility cabinet for tableware and a 16 cubic foot icebox. _ There is a folding utility table and for those kitchen appliances there is a 110-volt service outlet _that can be connected to the power supply at the campsite. Storage is designed for what campers Usually take with them. A quick access storage space in the back of the rear seat, and a full-length closet, with mirrored door will keep clothes wrinkle- free, There's a roomy linen Siw eloget, stwo--large- storage: bins ++ just like your home ceiling shelf across the rear of the vehicle, ~ - The walls and ceiling .are finished in wood-grained birch. Plywood and both are fiberglass insulated for protection from the heat and cold. There are two screened, large side windows and €@ snap-on screen for the rear door. Then thereis the pop-up top in the ceiling with two-zippered vents to pive more head space: and ventilation. at‘ night while sleeping or on hot days in the ‘sun. Optional is a tent that is designed for the Volkswagen Campmobile. Open, it’s a roofed- over patio, or a rainy-day playroom. Closed, it’s a screened-in living room. . This rugged Campmobile is easy to handle, snug on curves, has plenty of stability and has the clearance to get you over humps, ruts, and rocks on any kind of road. It is a vehicle that takes the luxury of the home into ‘the outdoors. ! a . “Al onhyeduring daylight hours.” . under the bench seats and a wide passing boats, operating at night, using the latest corrected charts _ and follow the regulations on fire precautions and the use of fire "extinguishers, coe And included. in the: fire precautions is the fuelling. of -boats ‘with liquefied petroleum. “gases such as propane, butane, etc. These can create even more. hazardous conditions than . ’ gasoline as they are heavier than uP air and will flow ‘into the lower -- |, “parts of the boat where they are difficult to dislodge. . 7 7 ee cautions when fuelling: Low water temperature. will .4a%e portable tanks ‘ashore. _ reduce your chancos of survival. Don’t smoke. Have boat securely ‘if you fall-overboard: This ig ‘ Moored. Hatches. and doors especially so in the early spring or late:fall. Always have ‘a. life _ _ Incidentally. to prevent a ' dunking, ratally caused :by _ Moving around In the.’boat, .° mM always crouch low lf you have to - afterward. Open up all portholes, _ _ move. ‘Keep:the welght on the ..doors, verits, ete. and'ventilate ~~ ‘boat's centre Ilne. and hold on ‘to.”, boa en en eee ‘both gunwales. 8, TE you do tip over..da. not at. tempt: to swim to shore. It ‘is usually farther than you: think. Hang on to the boat until you are. pleked up. oo 8 And here are some more don'ts: : A boat -10 feet long can carry ‘two persons and a: maximum -» weight load of 410 pounds, for 12 . feet, three persons, 575 pounds: 14 ft. - four persons, 740 pounds; 16 ft. - five persons, 975 pounds. Here. are some tips. for fishermen and hunters: _' - Don’t wear high cul-or open top @. .Fubber boots in open boats, Best . ' ta have a second pair ‘of ankle boots. Don't stand up ina small: boat to’ fish or hunt.’ Canoes. ‘should not’ be used for fishing’ or hunting unless there: ig.‘an ‘exe ‘ perienced canoer in charge.’ f ‘Home away from . My