SCORPIO

Read an article in Boating Mag. that LORAN C will go away but E-LORAN will take its place. Its supposed to be a better version with features and accuracy to rival GPS as well as being jam proof and not affected by solar events. Or so they say.

Thanks Paul, my system is a very simple bottle type (about 5 pounds) mounted to the transom behind the engines and triggered by a heat sensitive metal "soldier" holding the valve closed. Once the valve opens, the agent just sprays out over a snow flake shaped disk, like the ones on commercial fire sprinklers, and floods the engine compartment with Halon. I've seen that pan demo as well and it is like magic. I used a small hand held halon about the size of an aerosol can on a car engine when I had a fuel fire in my garage. One shot of about a half second and the fire was out. I'll have to call some fire extinguisher places and see if they can weigh the unit. I also carry a five pound hand held halon 1211 unit for emergencies.

My boat has a Halon 1211 automatic extinguisher installed. The gage and idiot light show green but my surveyor said I should have it "tested". How do they test it without discharging it? I've been told that the 1211 is a very effective fire fighting agent and is now unavailable due to ozone issues. I'd like to have it checked but not replaced if its ok. What do you people think?

Took the Power Squadron course, the long one for several weeks. I joined the Power Squadron and have taken numerous courses and currently have the Advanced Piloting certificate from them. If I can find the time, I'd like to take a few more courses.

Are you overloading the hitch tongue weight rating? I have that same hitch on the same truck and I didn't notice any flexing the one time I towed with it. That is a VERY stout hitch.