Ask Capt. Bob
Over the past year I received lots of questions which I was not able to answer personally. In this month’s column I’ll attempt to answer the most common and/or interesting questions.
Q. I am considering buying a Sea Ray. Do you think I should get an Express or a Sundancer?
Q. After fueling my boat, the starboard engine would not start. The genset runs off the same tank and started easily. I checked the battery and changed the fuel filters and it still wouldn’t start. Any suggestions?
Q. What is the difference between the diesel fuel at a gas station and the diesel at a marina?
Q. Is the “bitter end” the end of a rope that is not tied off?
Q. What do manatees taste like?
Q. Can I get hypothermia swimming in Florida?
Q. I’m planning a trip to Bimini. I don’t have a GPS and my compass is off by 10 degrees. Could this be a problem?
Q. If the compass variation decreases by 8' annually, will I eventually be going south when I ‘m headed north?
Q. I’ve heard a treatment for hypothermia is to have a naked woman lie on top of you. Is this true?
Q. I understand FPL will spend $1 billion to tear down the power plant in Port Everglades. Does this mean the manatees will go elsewhere?
Q. I have a 30' center console. How can I best prepare for hurricane season?
Q. Can all dogs swim?
Q. I can’t decide between Sea Tow and Tow BoatU.S. Which do you recommend?
Q. Why do the marine weather reports spend so much time talking about rip tides?
Q. Do I need a radio license for my boat?
Q. After trolling all day using squid, I didn’t catch one dolphin. When I got home I found my wife in bed with our neighbor. Can you help?
Send your boating questions to Capt. Bob at Florida by Water.