[PCW] A few things

[Jim Meader]

Looking forward to actually buying a cat soon. Have been doing a lot of
reading and have some basic questions to ask of this knowledge base.



1.   Have the new "high pressure electronic controlled diesel fuel rail"
installations proved themselves. I.e. are the new diesel engines equal
in reliability to the older mechanical diesel engines

2.  Once the newness of your dream boat wares off, does fuel economy or
get where you're going dominate your thoughts. Let's say two type of
usage 1. On your boat more than 2-3 weeks at a time and/or extended
weekend typical usage.

3.  Most boats do not include a trash compactor, given the limited space
on a boat and trash a fact of life I would think it would be a great
item to have.

4.  Technology and innovation being what it is today, why do we still
only have fixed pitched props, where is the variable pitch props?

5.   Stern drives, I fully understand the maintenance issues, but with
the Volvo sea drives and the performance benefits, it seem to be worth
the trade off. Pushing water downward and back is not as efficient as
just pushing the water straight back. Is this more resistance to change
i.e. the old diesels versus the new diesels ?

6.  The concept of a stationary diesel running all the boats electrical
and providing power to electric motors to drive the props seems like a
good idea. Trains have used this technology for years why not boats. I
am sure there would be a size minimum for this to work.

7.  Old old idea, but. Why not create a say two inch false bottom with
thousands of small holes in it and the exhaust fed into this space. Net
effect under power less total water contact, therefore less drag better
fuel economy.

Oh well sometimes we need to think out of the box, sometimes were better
off not thinking.



Jim Meader

RE/MAX Today

VM   650-610-6455

Fax   650-591-1043