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September 2003 Newsletter

I received the following note from another Rendezvous attendee about cooking the holding tank contents.

On the subject of cooking holding tanks.  I personally prefer mine done a little bit on the rare side.  Just kidding.  I may have been the originator of the holding tank cooking concept.  My theory was based on the placement of the refrigerator in my 3807 aft cabin.  Having just replaced refrigerator, number three.  I had a chance to spend some quality time behind the refrigerator and next to the holding tank.  To my chagrin, I noticed the heat from the refrigerator being displaced directly onto the side of the aluminum tank.  I curiously placed one of my paws on the tank and discovered it was warm.  I also knew that it was empty from being pumped out the weekend before.  So the heat on that rather cool day could only be coming from its neighbor, the refrigerator.  My solution to this minor engineering challenge was not to relocate the refrigerator someplace else in the galley. But to install a nine dollar DC exhaust fan in the wall behind the refrigerator.  By simply cutting out a 4 in. diameter hole on the removable access panel.  I was able to mount the fan on the refrigerator side of this partition.  On the opposite side , I attached a 4 ft. length of flexible hose.  Approximately 4 in. in diameter , similar to a dryer hose.  I then proceeded to cut an opening through the hull and mounted a vent plate to the outside.  Now I have a cool holding tank and continuous airflow from the bottom of the Cabinet holding the refrigerator to the outside of the boat. And to mine and Joanie's great pleasure, the ever present holding tank odor of the past three years is no longer with us.

Anyway, I just thought I would pass this along to you for those odor suffers unable to locate a genuine leak.  Of course, what I am also hoping for his longer life out of this fourth refrigerator since 1989.  I will faithfully report in on the progress of this fix in the future.

Dave Wright cruised the ICW last fall and spring.  Dave also kept rather nice records of his costs and schedule. A summary of his cruises appears by clicking here.  Thanks, Dave for the information.  Maybe someday you’ll actually tell us what happened on your trip.  Please send your ICW information to me and I’ll publish it.  Especially the stories.

I recently received a suggestion from a member that needs to be passed along. He suggested that we wire our slips to react in a way similar to pinball machines.  That is, when we hit a piling or a side a little too hard, lights would flash, bells would ring, and the boat would be propelled away from the slip sides.  Hit the slip thingys too hard and a big TILT sign would light up and the insurance company would be notified.  What do you think?

My thanks to all of you who sent Judi and Douglas Lehrian a condolence email. 

As mentioned in the last newsletter, Carver appears to be extensively revising its Dealer programs.  The club received several questions from members about warranty service and support from the new dealer in the area and finding spare parts.

What are your experiences with warranty service support from dealers, especially if you did not buy your boat from that dealer?

In a related question, how do you choose the broker to sell your boat?  Are dealers more likely to sell new boats rather than a brokered boat?  Again, please tell me your experiences with this.

Alabama Rendezvous

We’ve had to cancel the Alabama Rendezvous for this year.  Pat and Al Herbert had an accident this past July that is now consuming all of their time.  We wish Pat and Al the best as they recover from the accident.  Hopefully, we can schedule an Alabama Rendezvous for next year.

Florida Rendezvous – October 10, 11, and 12

South Seas Resort, Captiva Island

Please make your reservations for the Florida Rendezvous at once.  South Seas Resort requires a roster of all attendees one month prior to the event, instead of the more usual two weeks. 

Other Rendezvous     

We are just now beginning to plan for the 2004 Rendezvous.  The Chesapeake Bay Rendezvous will be held on June 4, 5, and 6.  We are still looking at locations where we can host 50+ boats. 

We are planning a Rendezvous in the Greater New York City area during August 2004.  One of the locations is on Long Island.  Another location is just across the Hudson River from Manhattan (Liberty State Park, New Jersey).  If you would attend a New York/New Jersey Rendezvous, drop me a note telling me which location you prefer.

Patsy, our events coordinator, received several notes about the planning meeting for the Chicagoland Rendezvous.  She will send out notes to everyone in the Chicago area giving more information about when we will be in the area to set this up.

I received a note indicating an interest in hosting a North Carolina Rendezvous.  I hope to have more information about that soon.  We still do not have any information concerning a Texas gulf coast or a California Rendezvous. 

Looking for Boats       

Thank you for a nice response to the people who are looking for boats.  I received several 32’ boats for sale, but no 31’ Santego’s.   

Making Misteaks

Just a quick note to a couple of people who make my job easier by pointing out things I need to do better.  First, Mary Lou Walker keeps me honest on the link to AOL.  Thank you Mary Lou - you make life easier for other AOL members.  Second, to Markus Horstmann who alerted me to a problem with Boat Talk that was an early warning for the most recent Internet Worm that took down the web site for a couple of days.

Keep telling me how things are going.  I need your help.

Safe Boating, 

Dave