eric

I have a Sony PS-FL77 linear tracking turntable circa 1986. It has a "Biotracer" tonearm where any imperfections in the surface are counteracted by the tonearm. The tonearm is automated--you press a start button, the record spins up the tonearm lifts, moves over to the left, then lowers. There's a "cue button which will raise and lower the tonearm as well as right and left directional arrows, should you want to manually move to the next track. The problem is that the tonearm will not lower. I can nudge it with my finger at it will then lower and play like it should. So I'm wondering if it is worth the money to have it repaired (if I could find someone to repair it). Assuming any repair on the low end could run $150 to $200, should I just consider putting that toward something else? I've read a few positives on the Biotracer aspect but it seems like it can now be considered an over-engineered feature. More info here: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/sony/ps-fl77.sh...

Any insight would be appreciated.

I've acquired a 10' aluminum jon boat which is currently painted in camo color scheme. I'm wanting to convert this into a dinghy/tender for my moored sailboat, with a white hull and blue interior (Boston Whaler). What sort of paint and prep would you recommend? I was going to go to West Marine and ask, but thought I'd get some opinions before going. I'm guessing a medium-grit sanding to remove the old paint, followed by some sort of acid wash. I know the white bottom will inevitably be scratched--comes with the territory. I was also informed of a slow leak. I've never had the boat in the water to see this, so I thought I would put it on sawhorses right side up, fill it with a little water and see if I notice any drips on the undersides. Is there an epoxy anyone would recommend for fixing any small fissures I might find in the aluminum?

I have a newer four-stroke 4hp outboard that is stored indoors in the winter. I winterized it and we just moved into a new house this last weekend. I had planned to move the motor myself as it still had engine oil and outdrive oil in it. The movers ended up moving it and then left it in my garage, balanced, prop pointing upwards. Luckily, the move was just down the street and less than a 5 minute drive. And luckily there is no apparent damage to the casing. So once I saw it standing inverted in my garage, I placed it back upright on a saw horse. A few hours later I saw evidence of an oil drip, coming from the underside of the engine housing. It was a relatively small amount, probably no more than a tablespoon. The next day I brought it inside and it dripped about the same amount of oil, maybe a little less. Do I need to have this serviced because there is engine oil where it shouldn't be? Or will simply having it back in the correct position let the oil settle back to where it should be.

Thanks

I have a run of two 25 ft cord sets in order to get shorepower to my slip at the marina. If you hook the cords together, the plug rotates, engages and locks, but the sealing ring on the female end that would normally attach to the outlet to make a secure connection doesn't engage with the male plug. i figured the manufacturer (Marinco) would make a waterproof connector of some sort, but I cant find anything with an adequate description. I found this on the West Marine site, but there is no description saying what it used for. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servle...

I asked once at the West Marine store and it seemed the person didn't know anything about it.

For example, if I bought a $200,000 house 10 years ago, and grossed $50,000 annually at that time of the purchase, the answer would be 25%. Keep in mind, I want to know the percentage THE YEAR YOU MADE THE PURCHASE.

NOTE: This is a poll. There is no right answer. I'm trying to see to what degree people financially overextend themselves.