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NEVER use treated lumber on an aluminum boat. The chemicals used to treat the wood are highly corrosive to aluminum. This has been discussed on several boat and fishing sites including this one. Wood decking is treated lumber. I think the composite Plastic Wood decking is OK. I have found that for fiberglass or aluminum boat that cheap plastic cutting boards make great backing plates. They will last forever, are tough as nails and can be cut with wood working tools.

One thing I have learned over the years is to completely dry the blades with a soft cloth. This is true with every thing including razors. Microscopic water drops allowed to dry on a blade leave mineral deposits on the edge and these deposits dull the blade.

Guilty as charged.

The Flint area Steelheaders are putting on an expo. There will be vendors from all over. You may even get some Salmon to taste if you go around noon Sat.

It will stay sharp forever if you don't use it to shave hair on your arm.

I use a toughbook laptop as my Chartplotter running a free program called SeaClear. I run it on my boat and PC at home. You can type in as much info as your hard drive can hold virtually unlimited. It works for me. Here is a screen shot of the Racine area. This is a raster chart. I have another program on my Boat's toughbook that runs the vector charts also. The zoom is fantastic and will zoom in and show 2 miles top to bottom left to right. Most everything is accomplished with hot keys. Control Z zooms in Control X zooms out. The GPS is a $37 usb puck that can maintain signal in even in a steel bldg. http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/8/7/lake_mi_racine.jpg' alt='lake_mi_racine.jpg'>

Give him a hug from me Nick. Nothing like them little ones.

VHF Marine Radio, Compass, and GPS Chartplotter.

Grant, Keep after them but be careful.

Prayer and condolences for his family. Be careful everyone.

I use a chart plotter on my PC all the time. It's a nice planning tool. If I'm going into unfamiliar water I spend a half hr on the PC checking it out. I find it a lot easier viewing on the PC than looking at paper charts. I do use a laptop as a chartplotter on my boat.

Bomber, Keep after them. Be careful out there.

Grant, GJ on the eyes. Be careful out there.

GJ on the LT Mark.

Orval, A warm welcome to the GLF site.

What he said.

Dave, Sorry to hear your truck was broken into. GL tomorrow. Karma has a way of dealing with these matters.

Population control at it's best. It's better than trap or skeet.

Capt. Chris, Keep the reports and pics coming. I enjoy them.

Peter, She's one Lucky Dog.

Joel our choices up here for high speed are Charter. I think that will change soon. Once I talked to a person they realized my D Link modem was not compatible anymore. It would give me some access and then I'd loose signal. It was painfully slow. When I did loose signal I'd have to reboot the modem. I just run a charter test with 3 other windows open. I'll post the screen shot. http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/8/7/charter_test_screen_shot_downsized.jpg' alt='charter_test_screen_shot_downsized.jpg'>

The new modem did do the trick. If they don't give me the one I have at a reasonable charge I'll certainly buy another. $5/month or $60 a year to rent one, it's a no brainer. I think I should have talked with Peggy. LMAO Why me???????

I use sewing machine oil, and Penn Reel Grease.

I was having slow internet problems. I called 1800 Charter Sucks and a automated voice tells me they are working on a problem in my area. There is no local number to call. I did this 3 days running. Finally I decide to press on and speak to a rep. They upgraded the Signal so it's about twice what it was and now my 4 yo modem is obsolete, not a problem like they described at all. No problem right??? They tell me my local office in Oscoda can sell me a used modem for $30. I get on my horse drop Jeanice in Tawas and proceed to Oscoda Charter local office. When I get there the lady knows nothing about a used modem for $30. As I said there is no local # to call ahead and verify. She did some things on her end and is renting me a modem for 2 months $10 total and credited my account with $10. I may end up with this modem for $30 (after she does some checking) or they will let me know in time to buy another modem. I can buy a refurbished modem on line for $30. I owned my previous modem for 4 years. The one I had previously about the same. What a goat rope. I couldn't have made an on-line trade if I wanted to. Bottom Lines: I feel the local people are the ones that can solve the problems but I'm not able to contact them by phone. Some of the Geeks working out of 1800 Charter Sucks are also very good. The problem is their automated know it all messages that you play Simon Says with.

John, A warm welcome to the GLF site. Just holler if you need any help.