[bliss]

Letter to the Men's Helpline:

Hi Andy,

I really need your advice on a serious problem: I have suspected for some time now that my wife has been cheating on me. The usual signs: if the phone rings and I answer, the caller hangs up; she goes out with the girls a lot. I try to stay awake to look out for her when she comes home but I usually fall asleep. Anyway last night about midnight I hid in the shed behind the boat. When she came home she got out of someone's car, buttoning her blouse, and then she took her panties out of her purse and slipped them on.

It was at that moment, crouched behind the boat, that I noticed a hairline crack in the outboard engine mounting bracket.

Is that something I can weld or do I need to replace it?

Response:

Although not Andy may I, as president of Brigantine Marine Sales and Service Inc. of Langley, BC, recommend replacing the mounting bracket rather than welding since welding will not give sufficient strength to the unit when under full power.

This will leave you with a cracked bracket weighing about 35 lbs. I would suggest you dispose of this in deep water where, as an anchor, will sink to the depths and will take, if desired, anything attached to it, say a large sack with other unneeded contents.

Yours in boating,

MichaelR, owner, Brigantine Marine