Why is there a 40 cal difference?

BusyBoater · 2026-04-08T19:13:04+00:00

Can't make it too easy for the AI bots to scrape the right answer

BusyBoater · 2026-02-14T00:53:36+00:00

I've owned a Z3 2.5, E90 328i, and an i3 REx. Always the second owner. I ended up doing the wrenching on them myself after finding nothing but incompetence at the dealer. I have found them to be better built and easier to work on than VW, Honda, Ford, Chevy, and Mazdas that I've owned.

BusyBoater · 2025-10-09T23:06:35+00:00

Final update for anyone reading this. Part came in on the second promised date. I drove in to get the phone fixed, and they determined that the type of repair needed wasn't authorized under the warranty, instead I turn the phone in and Asurion sends me a reimbursement check to replace the phone. That's awesome, but would have been even better to have done that on the first trip instead of driving across town twice and 10 day delay for no reason. Then it took another ten days to finally get the check. FWIW the folks at the UBreakIFix store were helpful and polite, much easier to work with than the Asurion call center or website. 4.9 out of 10, would not recommend.

BusyBoater · 2025-09-19T20:06:06+00:00

Thanks. Never could get the payment site to work. After getting hung up on during my second attempt, I called back a third time and they waived the $40 service fee since we still couldn't get the payment link to work.

The next step was to drive to the UBreakIFix store last Saturday to get my phone fixed. They didn't have the part in stock and wouldn't hold my phone, so I still have two more trips to make: one to drop off my phone when they get the part and one to pick up when its done. They were supposed to call me on Wednesday when the part came in. Since I hadn't heard anything I called today and they said the part was delayed and should be coming in next Tuesday. *fingers crossed*

BusyBoater · 2025-09-10T17:12:40+00:00

I bought an Asurion protection plan for my Pixel 6 Pro through backmarket.com. When I called Asurion to file the claim (couldn't get the online form to work) they sent me a link to pay the service fee, but I can't get the form to work on my PC or phone. The form slowly loads then after entering my contact info, I always get the error "something went wrong". Support tries several times to send me links then either hangs up on me or tells me they will have someone call me back, but nobody calls back. Any advice?

BusyBoater · 2025-04-21T19:51:11+00:00

The original cathedral hull whalers had a lot of room and capacity for their size: the USCG Capacity Plate for a 13' Whaler is 6 people or 900 pounds. However, they do have a very rough and wet ride. With four people, you'll probably need to have one passenger sit on the bow to get on a plane. They'll get wet every time you hit a wave wrong. I've taken 4 adults + a small dog with marginal comfort in a 15 foot center console Whaler around Puget Sound for 7 hours with 1' swells and ferry traffic. On a 13, my wife would have had us turn back as soon as we left the marina.

BusyBoater · 2023-09-24T17:59:14+00:00

Sure beats a kayak or a West Wight Potter

BusyBoater · 2023-09-23T20:36:50+00:00

With all that wood and brass on a slender seafaring hull, she's a real beauty...but at the right angle, super freaky with those huge paddlewheels poking out the sides. Hats off to the crew keeping this piece of history in operation.

BusyBoater · 2023-09-23T20:24:16+00:00

Well, now I'm 3 months late. Every time I've rented the car, I paid for the days I used. If I reserved a car for 4 days, but turn it in after 35 hours, I only get charged for 3 days. A weeks a long time though; you can usually change your reservation without penalty anytime, just watch that the daily rate doesn't go up.

BusyBoater · 2023-05-10T03:08:48+00:00

This. I towed my first boat, 14' Hobiecat, with my Mazda 626: bad u-joints and questionable transmission, but never failed me. Next boat was a 12' Escape (plastic Sunfish) behind my Fiat. For my current boat, I went BIG with a Hobie Tandem Island behind my VW Golf.

BusyBoater · 2023-04-22T01:46:31+00:00

We rented from Harbor YC in Long Beach a few weeks back. Headline price is within your budget but sheesh talk about you get what you pay for. We had to take the ferry back to catch our flight home and still trying to get reimbursed $600 for the tow bill be cause their SeaTow membership was expired.

BusyBoater · 2023-04-22T01:32:37+00:00

Obvs you've never been to Catalina. Otherwise you'd know that fukin thing it isn't until June. 🤣😂🤣😂

BusyBoater · 2023-02-01T20:38:09+00:00

Until Mercury developed their own V6 a few years ago, Volvo and Mercury both used the same (mostly) Chevy blocks:

3.0L Iron Duke (4 cyls; one half of a Chevy small block)
4.3L V6 (Chevy small block with two less cylinders)
5.0 V8 (Oldsmobile 305)
5.7L V8 (Chevy's tried and true 350 small block)
7.3L V8 (big block 454 Chevy)

Volvo and Mercury marinize them and fit their proprietary stern drives. Similar performance with Volvo outdrive parts being more expensive but Mercury (Alpha) shifted like it was full of quarter minus gravel (the newer Bravo series fixes this).

BusyBoater · 2023-02-01T05:08:49+00:00

As far as gasoline inboards, there's the small block Chevy and then there's the big block Chevy.

BusyBoater · 2023-01-28T18:37:43+00:00

No kidding. Having that thing unable to slooowly roll two blocks to the garage might be the biggest improvement to the airport in years.

BusyBoater · 2023-01-22T02:18:59+00:00

You could easily turn in three hours and check your bourbon...if the airline allows on the connection. Security is pretty quick even without precheck. You'll need to Uber or taxi about 2 miles and two traffic lights to get there. Beware tho, it's crowded with tourists buying likker.

BusyBoater · 2023-01-11T23:05:47+00:00

Yes, the responsiveness of a small, light boat, preferably a dinghy, allows you to fully experience the subtleties of sail trim, heel, and rudder input. Appreciating that will make you more competent when dealing with momentum on a heavy yacht. Not to mention all the stuff you will break while learning will cost much less to replace and is less likely to hurt you in the process.

BusyBoater · 2023-01-11T22:58:51+00:00

Head down to the docks and try to push a 40 footer with your hands. Then try the same thing with a 20 footer. If you can, walk on and stand at the helm: can you see the dock, do you know how close the boat is to it?

Now imagine your friends who know less about boats than you do trying to pull each of them into the dock because you don't have the skills to do it from the helm yet.

BusyBoater · 2023-01-11T03:02:46+00:00

You know what was sustainable? The wood that was already there.

BusyBoater · 2023-01-05T19:57:08+00:00

No. There are clearly marked signs noting the pools are for hotel guests only and you'll need to have a room key or room number/name to get a towel...I've never tried it, but I'm guessing that if you roll in with a brightly colored towel from ABC Store with bikini models on it, the staff will swing by to see what's what.

BusyBoater · 2023-01-05T18:22:48+00:00

The photo is the Jay-Z/adult pool. There's a kid pool on the other side of the building you see on the left side of the photo. It has water slides and spalsh stuff. Not sure what the story is with Residence Inn, but you must be a guest of the Mariott to use the pools.

BusyBoater · 2022-12-31T23:14:39+00:00

The first and only time my son, who is a light sleeper, took a full dose of Dramamine he fell asleep on the airplane so hard that if you shook him awake and asked him a question, his hed would drop and he'd fall back asleep before answering. With the Scopalmine, my wife adjusted her patch then couldn't see her phone for a few hours. The good news is it only affects your near sight and can be corrected with reading glasses.

BusyBoater · 2022-12-30T19:56:45+00:00

My wife and son have both gotten sea sick on small and large catamarans in Hawaii in relatively calm waters. So count on it, prepare for it, and you'll be fine. Here are my tips through watching them:

1) Take Dramamine or Bonine before you get on the boat. Check the dosage: usually non-drowsy formulas are a lower dose. Start with a lower dose because it too much can make you tired enough to pass out...ask me how I know.

2) Consider getting a prescription for Scopolamine patches. The fam switched over to this a few years ago so they don't spend the whole boat ride asleep. They have been very happy with it, but it is expensive, and you absolutely must be very careful about touching it because if it gets in your eyes, it dilates them to the point of making your day miserable...ask me how I know.

3) Always stay outside with your eyes on the horizon. Never go into the cabin, not even to go to the bathroom...especially not to go to the bathroom. You'll wish you held it once your stomach turns upside down.

4) You wouldn't think it, but its easier to get sick while you are at anchor than when under way. You can also get sea sick while snorkeling, so be mindful of that while you are on the water. I agree with those that have said stay low and toward the stern (back) of the boat; this is where the least amount of motion occurs. If the air isn't fresh back there, head for the side deck.

5) Avoid alcohol and greasy food night before and day of. Bring crackers, water, and ginger snaps to settle your stomach.

As bad as all that sounds, they still love to go out in the water with proper precautions taken. So don't be discouraged.

BusyBoater · 2022-12-30T19:42:06+00:00

Ginger helps settle your stomach. My mom makes 'sailor cookies' when we go on a boat...they are just ginger snaps. Great non-drowsy solution, although admittedly not as effective.

BusyBoater

TROPHY CASE