the strike a | pose THE SALMON isn’t the only fish in the sea, but to Vancouver artist Takashi Shoji, avid sports fisherman and environmentalist, it is the most fascinating to paint. | By DIANE BENTLEY It was after going on a fishing trip in 1983 to Stamp River near Port Alberni, where the river was full of ’ spring salmon coming through; the rapids, that he decided ‘ that .he’d like to paint salmon. | ~ “1 could see them finning over the rough whitewater,” said Shoji. ‘‘They ‘had so much vitality, so much energy. It was then the first series came to mind.” The largest of the three paintings depicts a spring salmon fleeing from a seal in pursuit. The others show a spring going up the river to - MORE AND ‘more boaters are taking the do-it-yourself . approach to servicing their boat and, motor. Here‘are some important, steps to follow to get your ‘motor: ready to go after winter storage. Check’ the level of lubri- cant in the lower unit and make sure-it’s filled to’ the proper level, as specified in your owner’s manual. If it looks like it has been leaking, have a service expert check it out since it could in- dicate’ the .lower seals and gaskets: need replacing. And ” if it wasn’t done before off- season storage, drain ‘the ’ -gearcase and refill it with the manufacturer’s recommend- ed lubricant. «Gearcase lube’ is ‘available in -a variety of containers, from ‘small tubes to gallons (complete with a” hand- operated pump for clean, ef- ficient application)., So whether you have a small motor or a large one, one motor or a fleet of “them, lubricant is available in the size you need. If your motor has a power trim or power tilt unit, check the level of fluid in‘ the system’s reservoir, and refill it with the manufacturer’s recommended fluid, as needed. Check your spark plugs. Your outboard can’t start quickly and run efficiently if the plugs aren’t sparking. Remove them, clean them, and make sure they are gap- ped to specification. Also make sure the spark plug ter- minal connections and wiring ' are clean, unfrayed and snug- fittingS <> - Check” the boat’s battery. Make. ‘sure’ it?s” fi led ‘with ' spawn and cruising the dep- © § ths of the ocean. As a graphic designer and artist, Shoji always ap- preciated the realism of Robert Bateman’s paintings and felt that maybe he could paint something with a B.C. theme. “IT like fishing and there are not many artists who paint underwater seascapes of salmon (in their) habitat,"’ he explained. His paintings caught the eye of The Sun’s marketing services manager, ; Stratford, who in turn showed them to fishing per- sonalities Ted Peck and Finn Anthony. Ail agreed that Shoji’s paintings could benefit a fundraiser they Do-it-you rself water and fully charged, Clean the terminal posts and connectors so they are free of corrosion. If there was unused fuel left in the tank and engine over the winter, it should have been treated with a fuel conditioner before storage. If, the.fuel was conditioned, all you need to do in the spring is make sure fuel system clamps and fittings are tight and not leaking. Also check for cracked, worn or aged fuel lines and replace as necessary. If no fuel conditioner was added before storage, the fuel pump filter should be cleaned before adding fresh fuel. Although they vary from brand to brand, most outboard fuel filters are designed for easy cleaning. Check your owner’s manual for instructions. Of course, alli the old, untreated fuel should be drained from the tank and disposed of proper- ly before new, fresh fuel is added. Small quantities of fuel conditioner helps keep the carburetor clean during the boating season, reducing plug fouling and moisture in the fuel system. A note of cau- tion: use only fuel condi- tioners designed for marine use in your boat, not automotive additives or con- diticnaers, which can do your motor more harm than good. Check your propeller. A little ding in the prop can make a big dent in your boat’s performance. If the propeller is nicked, gouged or bent, take it to your dealer or a prop shop for repair. If it’s too far gone, invest in a new prop. Stainless propellers of- fer much greater durability Jack’ ARTIST Takashi Shoji at work on one of his artistic renderings of salmon. The painter is concerned with the environment as well as with art. were promoting for the B.C. salmon enhancement pro- gram. After successfully selling” ea 25 oe SL LIVIA 2 Wop sc Le gs prepay ne Ian TMI INE ONL rs NS 25 - Wednesday, July 24, 1985 - North Shore News eT a es “ carga t Se so eS etNe Par af an xs SS Se SRE ip vanigastiisisony NEWS photo Ian Smith ‘out. the prints of his steelhead series, with pro- ceeds going to Save the Salmon Society, Tak Shoji boating tips than most aluminum props. Here’s a safety tip:. before removing your propeller, always shift your motor to neutral and remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent the motor from ac- cidently starting. If you have trouble loosening the pro- peller nut, try wedging a Piece of 2x4 between the prop blade and the anti-ventilation plate to keep the prop from turning. Before replacing the pro- peller, lube the prop shaft with grease as specified in your owner’s manual. Also check around the base of the prop shaft for monofilament © fishing line which may have become wrapped around the shaft. Look closely... ‘old monofilament might look like a plastic washer. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for any special. in- structions and torque specifications before install- ing the propeller. While you're checking the prop, check the bottom of the boat. For clean, efficient running the hull must be clean and efficient, too. Now’s the time to remove any left-over barnacles or dried-up marine algae or weeds. Spring is also a good time to touch up any scrapes or scratches in your motor’s paint job. Most manufac- turers offer factory-matched colors in easy-to-use spray paint cans. If you’re touching up the lower unit, be careful not to clog the water intake screen with paint. This could lead to motor overheating. Also, don’t make the mistake of painting over the sacrificial zinc. anodes on your motors They won't work if they're covered with paint. While you're inspec- ting the motor, check the anodes. If they are more than 50 per cent destroyed, replace them with new ones. If you boat in salt water or brackish water, the anodes are suppos- ed to dissipate as they protect your motor. After the mechanical work is done, give your motor (and boat) a good cleaning. As a final touch, give the motor a coat of automotive wax .or polish. ft will help it sparkle and protect the finish from the sun and water. After the motor’s all clean- ed up, consult the lubrication section of your ‘owner’s manual. Most motors require a shot of lubricant: on the throttle linkage or other mov- ing parts on the engine. On motors wit remote steering the steering cable ram should be greased before the start of each season and. periodically thereafter. Once again, check the owner’s manual for detailed instructions. If your motor needs more than the normal pre-season preparation, some manufec- turers now offer do-it- yourself repair kits designed for the non-expert to service such parts as magneto igni- tions, water pumps and carburetors. Before you head out for the water, make sure you've replaced any tools you nor- mally carry in the boat, like a wrench for the prop nut or spark plugs. A pre-season check-up like this is easy, even for the most unmechanical of boaters. But it will go a long way towards a season full of boating fun, not service woes. went on to paint another. This time concentrating on the coho salmon. Chris, his wife, recalled many times Tak bringing home his catch from his See Fish ‘ Pago 26 See us once 4 and you'll never resurface again. DURADEK. The rugged vinyl sundeck surface that’s installed in a day. - @ INSTALLED fa © CMHC approved ™ *6 colours to choose from m ¢ 100% waterproof B * Maintenance free ; Call for a free estimate $1 60,5935 | * 5 year warranty on workmanship & materials —