"megabite" wrote
Preventive maintenence is always a
smart strategy especially with watercraft.

You're probably right that a prudent man would replace anything that's
remotely questionable, but there's a point of diminishing returns to
consider. Everything in my propulsion system is questionable to a certain
degree, if you know what I mean. I don't want to bother with the expense and
hassle of replacing a part that's likely to last as long as the rest of the
unit.

Taking the wife or loved ones out on it are ya?

Yes, but on the river where I operate I can't get more than about 100 yards
from shore and I seldom get more than a few miles from home. A mechanical
breakdown for me would be a nuisance, but very unlikely to become life
threatening.