Well, here in Virginia, it is *STILL* raining.... I'm think I should apologize
to Mother Nature for any wrongdoings and beg forgiveness. Then, maybe the sun
will come out!!!

Yesterday (since I took off from work), I trailered my old 17' trihull up to
Lake Anna, VA with my daughters following behind me in their car. My new/used
2000 Chevy Silverado 1500LS just cruised down the highway with my 2100lb
boat/trailer combo. No sweat... Since it wasn't raining (yet), we decided to
scramble to get the boat ready and hitched up and go boating.

I learned a neat trick at the marina that I wanted to pass along. If anyone
else has a manual transmission, they should try it. Believe me - it works!

* Leave the emergency brake pressed.
* After the boat is loaded onto the trailer and all set, gently ease the
clutch.
* When the engine starts to bog down, immediately pop the emergency brake.
* You will creep up the boat ramp without spinning a wheel.

Anyway, since I did a tuneup on the old 165hp Mercruiser, my old boat ran like
a top! New plugs, cap/rotor, points, etc.... We had a great time out on the
lake. I let my daughters take the wheel and drive the boat around too. They
had a blast! Next time out, I'll gently and carefully explain docking to them
when we're at the marina.

Hopefully this rain goes away.... I can't stand this! Even yesterday when my
girls and I were boating, it wasn't raining, but the sky was looking nasty. We
loaded up in the afternoon and headed home, trailering the boat back and so on.
Wouldn't you know it... Right there on the highway heading south back to
Richmond, VA, the sky opened up on us. Man, my poor old 1975 trihull is
soaked! Trying to trailer a boat in a downpour is not fun!!!

Hope you all had a nice sunny day out boating.

Butch Ammon