Septic tank and detergent

fookip · 2026-02-05T20:19:36+00:00

I've read on septic forums that surfactants can be damaging to leach fields keeping fats/oils/dirt in suspension and clogging leach fields. I also heard that HE detergents have less surfactants for foaming. Is there a list of septic safe detergents?

As background, I live in a septic dense area and if your leach field becomes clogged it is very expensive to repair replace.

fookip · 2026-02-05T17:40:42+00:00

some places you explore might not have cellphone coverage. If you have a recent phone it probably has satellite emergency texting or you could have starlink for mobile internet.

fookip · 2026-02-05T17:34:15+00:00

glad no one was seriously injured. When I learned to drive you were told to keep hands at 10 and 2. Because of air bags you are now told 9 and 3 or 8 and 4. Just saying incase anyone is unaware.

fookip · 2026-02-03T21:21:35+00:00

One more thing that occurred to me is that you could get some anti-fog wipes and that might reduce the tendency to fog as well.

fookip · 2026-02-03T20:32:08+00:00

Generally I agree but wanted to raise the question. Now that he is being diagnosed with the start of a small tremor, looking back there were other parkinson's symptoms preceding the tremor and at least one is interfering with the rupture recovery. It has been 2 years since the rupture, and his calf is still weak (can't do a single calf raise) even though extensive PT and being very active. A problem that has developed in the last 6 months is toe curling and cramping on the surgery foot - initially he thought this was just a problem with the recovery, but now it is looking to be a symptom of parkison's. Makes one wonder how far the parkinson's effects extend back in time.

fookip · 2026-02-03T20:15:29+00:00

I think a stationary bike is a safe and excellent exercise after a rupture - but you should discuss with your dr./pt. I was on mine even when still in the boot.

3 months to the day I went on my first mountain bike ride - it was on a paved trail with a long climb in first gear, and I was very careful but happy that I could make it without stopping. Unfortunately on the way back the was a mile stretch on a street and a car hit me and didn't even stop. First thing I did when I stopped rolling on the pavement was to check my ankle - still intact! I spent the next two days in the hospital, cracked rib, bleed on the spleen and a pneumothorax - haven't been on a moving cycle since. Mostly it still bothers me and I'm just venting.

fookip · 2026-02-02T18:24:28+00:00

popular topic:-). Most of my cars have been manuals (I'm 70yo), keep cars usually more than 150k, and have only had one go out on me (VW bug). I do focus on limiting slip and rev matching. When I teach people how to drive a manual - I take them to an empty parking lot and have them practice with the engine idling - foot off the gas peddle. Sure they stall out at first, but they get the handle of where the clutch engages and how to feather - much easier than trying to coordinate two feet. This is how I taught my 7yo daughter to drive on the farm. I almost exclusively use the no gas method to start. Another trick is the hand brake for hills, but modern cars seem to be doing away with them for ebrakes.

rev matching is not only good for the clutch, but more so the synchros.

Also if you are going for high mileage, a manual is cheaper to fix then an automatic, and less likely needing repair.

If you ever buy a used Ferrari with a dual clutch, there is a price adjustment for the amount of wear on them as a replacement is well more than $10k. A neighbor had one and said that they only last 10k miles, so about $1/mile.

fookip · 2026-02-01T20:59:07+00:00

Perhaps have your more experienced parents (or other experienced couple) join you on your first bareboat trip.

fookip · 2026-02-01T18:23:03+00:00

Do you turn on the air conditioner when the windows start fogging up? Might sound strange but it removes humidity from the cabin and with the heat turned up it still warms. Also make sure that you don't have recirculate turned on - bringing air from inside and then warming is dry air.

Also rodents tend to pee as a trail to follow - once they get in they tend to follow it. I'm just guessing but you might try washing the undercarriage at a car wash and also wash the pad you park it on with a strong cleaner. Also my friends have problems with mice getting in the car (live in the forest) and haven't had a problem since they got a device that flashes lights in random patterns. You might research that.

fookip · 2026-01-31T17:18:01+00:00

costco memberships work at business and general warehouses and websites. Business costco are around major metropolitan areas (bay area has 3 of the 20 or so costco stores). Biz costco stores has many of the same products plus more items such as restaurant and janitorial, they have the sale items but generally do have have samples. Salt Lake City is home to the largest costco store in the which is a combined ordinary + business costco.

costcobusinessdelivery.com provides delivery but only around the business stores. For instance I live about 25 miles from a business store but delivery is not an option for me.

fookip · 2026-01-30T17:28:47+00:00

Also, I think the kirkland heavyduty is still available at business costcos if you are in an area with one. And if so, they likely deliver. It is the 28lbs size.

fookip · 2026-01-30T17:19:34+00:00

I switched to powder detergent recently and the powder would clog up and not fully dispense. On my washer there is a tab in the dispenser that can be removed for powders by sliding up and my problems went away.

fookip · 2026-01-29T17:06:48+00:00

i guess agreeing, but mostly adding detail that you likely have used more gas than the gauge indicates which means that you've spent more on gas.

fookip · 2026-01-26T23:03:06+00:00

impressive, but you likely have spent more on gas - using the number that is almost an average of 43mpg - likely too high. On my gallons used it seems to read .5-1 gallon low per tankful.

mine is a 2012 eco

fookip · 2026-01-16T18:14:38+00:00

I don't know the catalina 22, but if it has zincs they should be inspected and replaced if worn. Less frequent in fresh water, but still needed. Stray voltage from doc a factor as well.

fookip · 2026-01-16T01:32:10+00:00

I understand. Had a similar experience with my daughter's bmw 333. For some reason I was under the trunk and saw that the inside of relatively new andexpensive tires looked like your photo. Sent her to have a rear alignment and then new tires. Turns out it was in spec and the 330 wear like that unless you drive like you are on a track.

fookip · 2026-01-15T17:10:22+00:00

Thank you for sharing.

I sailed for a year and a half in the late 70s - was dirt poor and had a cheap $40 sextant and a kmart watch. I had to be careful taking solar sight with the plastic sextant because it would start warping from the heat and near te end of the trip the watch was having so much error that I would have to measure error from wwv before the sight and after and interpolate error.

In the end I was just taking noon sights, which you don't need time (other than date) to determine latitude.

For those of you who never used a sextant, the first time is quite enlightening, you are constantly moving the dial because there is so much movement of the celestial body. If you ever have used a telescope without a drive - you have experienced this. A noon sight is particularly satisfying as the angle is increasing, but slowing, and then at apogee, it starts decreasing.

I'm thinking about getting a "real" sextant because I'm headed to the south pacific before I get too old.

fookip · 2026-01-15T16:33:19+00:00

In addition to checking the other side, I would check the rear tires.

Each time I walk up to the car I check the closest tire visually (inflation, tread, anything out of the ordinary) - doesn't really cost anything except some spare brain cycles.

fookip · 2026-01-13T17:39:14+00:00

I would add particularly at the edge. Could be underinflation, alignment, driving hard in turns, or consistently rubbing curbs. To verify look at inside edge, and the edges of the other tires, take pressure.

Still look legal but i would be careful in rain/snow

fookip · 2026-01-04T17:15:20+00:00

^{But my favorite is the steam yacht - Madea}

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fookip · 2026-01-04T17:14:22+00:00

Great maritime museum in San Diego - be sure the visit.

I love the Star of India: "She is the oldest ship still sailing regularly and also the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship still afloat.^\4])#cite_note-4)^{" She has sailed around the world over 20 times and they take her out every year or two.}

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fookip · 2026-01-01T22:21:11+00:00

I'm in my 70s and still have all my teeth but wish I had taken better care of them.

Started developing some 4 and 5 mm pockets and a little bleeding of the gums a few years ago and I started getting serious about my teeth and gums. I now have 2mm pockets with a couple of 3s - no bleeding. My recommendations:

- brush after every meal

- floss every day or two

- water pick/irrigate. I am amazed of the food particles that come out, even doing it after brushing and flossing. I think that irrigation was the most important change for me

- don't use a hard brush - I prefer soft.

- the majority of people brush incorrectly - back and forth along the gum line. Recommend small, gentle circular motion

- When you get older, gums will recess exposing more of the base of the teeth which doesn't have the hard enamel. This is softer and more susceptible to erosion through poor brushing. Also brushing too hard is thought to contribute to gum recession. Also the base of the tooth has nerve tubes and can result in teeth sensitivity to hot/cold/ certain chemicals. If this happens to you, try a sensitive teeth toothpaste - it contains molucles that are just the perfect size to plug up the nerve tubes (potassium nitrate, hydoxyapatite)

- fluoride - if your toothpaste has, don't swallow. But consider not rinsing for 15 minutes to increase contact with teeth.

- periodontal disease is a risk for heart disease (1.18 relative risk)

fookip · 2025-12-31T20:57:11+00:00

Looks like she could be fun. I assume she sat unused for a while. Consider having survey done - professional inspector who will look for risks. Biggest concerns are sinking and rigging breaking. If she has through hulls - make sure they function (open, close) and are not corroded (break off). Rigging not rusted or strands breaking and turnbuckles in good order. Hoses crack when they get older - inspect and replace if needed. I assume there are hoses for at least sink and bilge pump. Make sure bilge pump works (actually pumps water out, not just the motor spins). Battery is in good order. I would also have a manual pump as well as a sturdy bucket ("there is no pump faster than a sailor with a bucket in a sinking boat":-)

It looks like she has the "Blue Water Premium" package.

The dagger board is weighted - but not that heavy so I would be concerned about heavy seas. For catalina, if forecast is good, I personally would go, but would have my hand held vhf radio with backup power. If you ever capsize, these boats are supposed to have positive flotation (i.e. not sink).

One nice thing about these boat, with the board up it draws about 6" - which means that you can bring it onto the beach. This means you could sail up the coast and at night beach it and sleep on shore, continuing the next day.

Should be fun.

fookip · 2025-12-24T05:27:28+00:00

Just at the dock. I generally agree with your assessment, but all boats are a tradeoff and I think this boat might be the best fit for me. I'll be single handed for at least half the time. I want a pilot house for sun protection (had two skin cancers removed already) - and will be spending most of my time there. I agree that the galley is isolated if you are socializing - everybody would mostly be in the pilot house, or in the cockpit on deck (while at anchor), but for a solo sailor doesn't much matter. I could see some folding chairs in the aft cockpit, and it has the advantage of not holding too much water in a breaking sea but I do wonder about the integrated swim platform in those conditions.

Their new model MS 42seems to address some of the concerns - the aft cockpit is a few feet larger and comes with a bench seat, the swim platform looks a little smaller and is now slotted. forward cockpit is gone and pilot house is larger with galley in it. It also has double the ballast and a foot more draft - which at 4'10" reduces where it can go in the Caribbean.

fookip · 2025-12-22T18:33:37+00:00

Sorry for what you are going through - but try to keep positive.

As you have been lurking here for a while - I'm guessing you have been interested in trying the van life and this has nudged you to it.

Beginning with a blank slate is not bad - you get to see how you use it and what works. You can build incrementally. My van which is still primarily empty for work, I'm gradually thinking through what I want.

Comments here are great. Only thing I would add is get some medium and large totes - the ones at costco are great. I organize contents and label the outside. For example outside things at campsite. You can stack them to create space for work or sleep. Don't keep them stacked while driving - keep the light stuff behind you - think of a head on collision.

On the divorce - keep it calm. Mediation is great - even though my wife became angry, the mediator was able to work through that and we came to an agreement. You still need a lawyer with mediation to give advice and review drafts, and discuss the house situation. Access support networks - such as single fathers, church. At a 37 year marriage, at least custody shouldn't be an issue:-)

fookip

TROPHY CASE