Boating USA — February 2018

A:

Q:

36 | BOATINGMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2018

BOAT DOCTOR///Q&A

Hello Jack. Unless using an electronic switch, like the Johnson Pump shown

here, or one in which the f loat rises vertically, the best practice is to install

hinged f loat switches with the hinge forward. If you install it with the hinge

aft, the act of the boat rising onto plane may cause the switch to turn on and run the

pump dry and burn it out, or at least increase its wear. Similarly, if the switch is orient-

ed across the beam of the boat, it can energize the pump when the boat rocks, either at

sea or even in its slip, where it could drain the battery unnecessarily.

STUFFED

Q: Boat Doctor, first, I

would like to comment

on a reader’s sugges-

tion from the October

2017 issue. Ron Light

of Nassau, Bahamas,

offered two websites he

uses. I own the same 210

Wellcraft Fisherman,

so I would like to say

thanks for sharing.

Second, I ran my new

Evinrude E-Tec into

shallow water. There was

a brief overheat alarm.

I shut down the engine

and then found sea grass

in the intake.

Please advise as to the

procedure for cleaning

debris from the cooling-

water intake.

James DiOrio

Via email

A: Hi James. The only

screen is that which

covers the intake on the

gear case. Sometimes de-

bris gets sucked up and

makes it into the ther-

mostat. Other times, the

telltale (“pee stream”)

may be blocked. Try

reaming out the telltale

discharge with a piece of

stiff (200-pound-test)

fishing line or with some

light wire. The T-stat can

be inspected by remov-

ing the cover, if you

are concerned — and it

should be serviced any-

way. But if your engine

is not overheating and

is properly discharging

water, the likelihood is

that all is well.

For the benefit of all

readers, in the October

2017 issue, the website

updplastics.com was

cited by reader Ron Light

as a great source for

replacement wind-

shields; another site,

vinylapproach.com was

referenced in connection

with replacing worn

boat-brand decals.

ORIENTATION

Dear Mick, I am a

new-boat owner

replacing the bilge

pump’s f loat switch

aboard my Boston Whaler. I am

pretty sav v y with 12-volt electri-

cal work, having restored several

classic cars. But as “smart” as I

am, I forgot to note which way

the switch was installed before I

removed the old one. I have been

staring into the bilge considering

all the possible ways to orient the

switch. What is the correct way?

Jack Sculley

Tukwila, Washington

XTRATUF

RIPTIDE SHOES

The new Riptide performance

water shoes I’ve been wearing

from Xtratuf feature the same

nonslip chevron outsole as the

original Xtratuf commercial-

grade fi shing boots.

I tested a pair of Riptides

and found they not only

provide great traction on a

wet deck but also kept my

feet cool on hot days out on

the water. My pair of size 11

gray Riptides are so comfy

and good-looking, I’ve worn

them out to dinner and while

traveling on a plane.

They are also great for

wading along a pebbly

shoreline, or when rafted

up on a bar when you don’t

want to get out of the boat

barefoot.

These shoes feature a

breathable air-mesh upper

for drainage. I’ve found they

also dry quickly. With the

aerated uppers, there’s no

residual odor, which you

often get from leather deck

shoes that have been soaked

and then retain an odorifer-

ous nature.

I love the slip-on and slip-

off feature of the Riptide. The

bungee lacing system lets you

quickly adjust the tightness,

without laces to tie or come

undone. EVA-cushioned in-

soles help take the shock out

of rough seas.

Xtratuf offers the Riptide

for men in black or gray in

sizes 7 to 14, and for women in

light blue or brown in sizes 6

to 11. $64.99; tackledirect

.com —Jim Hendricks PHOTOS: (FROM TOP) COURTESY WEST MARINE, BILL DOSTER