November 1, 2007

• Boat-Building Revisited — Jamestown Distributors

  After meeting the maker of my most recent sailboat purchase, I was impressed that he built it with nothing but a handheld circular saw and a handheld jigsaw.  No table saw?  I asked him about this, and he said, “Funny.  Someone else asked me that same question.”

  Apparently it was my misconception that one needed a table saw to build a boat.  But, after all, people built boats before the invention of the table saw, so why the hell not build one with just a hand-held circular saw and a jig saw?

  Some other boat builders have been very helpful with explaining to me where I can purchase boat-building components.  Their biggest recommendation is Jamestown Distributors.  One guy’s words to me were, “[Jamestown Distributors],. . . suppliers of absolutely everything the boat builder needs.”

  So I looked it up.  There’s this girl on their front webpage. . . but to be honest, I don’t think there are a lot of female boat builders.  I think this picture is up there, just to cater to the 80% who aren’t female.  I’m sure that model has never even held a circular saw.  Or a welder, for that matter.

  
  

  Trailer Hubs and Axles Hubs and axles should be checked from time to time. Inspecting and replacing worn components is essential to safe trailer operation. Trailer wheel bearings and wheel hubs must be properly and sufficiently lubricated to prevent damage from dirt, dust, friction, and heat. Bearing kits and Seals often need replacement. Make sure your trailer is safe and ready to go before your next boating adventure. Failure to keep boat trailer bearings properly greased and protected from dirt causes friction to build up and seize wheel bearings. This is in turn can destroy the hub or even prevent a trailer wheel from turning, risking a blowout. Complete boat trailer roller bearing kits are available to replace worn out bearings. Boats and other trailered vehicles that see frequent trailered transport deserve a trailer that will not fail and leave you on the side of the road. Wear items to check include dust caps, seals, trailer hubs, wheel bearings, grease fittings, the threads on lug bolts and nuts, and axle spindles. We carry replacement wheel hub and bearing kits, as well as advanced kits with integrated lubrication systems (The Tie Down Marine Turbo Lube kits). With trailer maintenance, it pays to be proactive. Don’t wait until your hub, wheel, and tire fly off the axle at 70 mph to decide that frequent inspection is a good idea.

  • 6:21 pm
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