ScubaRx

Hey Sherry and Paul, I think these guys are hilarious. Could be some took them seriously?! Good talking with you on the phone and we missed you guys at Lake Greeson, I'm sure you've read all about it. Soon maybe we can all get together. Steve

That photo reminds of the hours I used to spend in a darkroom manipulationg a negative or multiple negatives to get shots like that. Sometimes, we would go out at night and take time exposures like this one below. Today, with Photoshop, you can do it all with your computer. Very nice...

Tali and I wanted to let everyone know about some surgery that is in my future. About 2 weeks ago, I had a cardiac cath done to rule out some vague symptoms that I was having. We were able to determine that, overall, the arteries around my heart are in good shape. However, during the procedure, we discovered a congenital defect in the aortic valve. A normal aortic valve has 3 cusps that open and close with each beat of the upper chamber of the heart. It seems that mine has only 2 cusps. Over time, the opening thru the valve constricts causing a condition known as aortic stenosis. If this continues unchecked, congestive heart failure, enlarged heart, kidney failure, etc. can/will occur. The surgical solution is to replace the valve with either a mechanical or tissue (pig or cow) valve. There are up and down-sides to either choice. The tissue valves have a lifespan of about 10-12 years and then they need to be replaced but during their lifespan they are relatively maintenance free. The mechanical valves will (for all intents and purposes) last forever. But, you have to take anticoagulant drugs for the rest of your life with all the accompanying trouble that they entail (dietary restrictions, monthly blood tests, etc.) At least I can monitor and dose my own Coumadin, so that will make it a little easier. The surgery is scheduled for April 15. I chose that day because, apparently under the new Obama administration, if you need open-heart surgery and have it on tax day, you are not liable for any taxes due for that year. It has to do with the stimulus plan or something. Actually, we chose that date because it is after the Lake Greeson Gathering and before the impending birth of our next granddaughter. So, here we are. We are looking forward to seeing everybody in Arkansas next week. Steve

And then there's the elusive and seldom seen BLUE shell which was just a test to see how/if painting would be feasible. I have some pics that I took on an early foray to the factory.........

Steve, I'll echo mountainborn there. I just replaced mine a couple of days ago (I had taken it out back last fall to drain the tank.) I found that it would only screw in about half way. I had put teflon tape on the threads. I read/heard somewhere not to put teflon tape all the way to the end of the threads, something about excess inside the tank possibly getting loose and perhaps fouling a pump. Don't know how important that is but I can see where it makes sense. Bottom line on installation...if it doesn't leak, it's OK. Steve

I believe you are on the right track. You are correct in assuming that the Honda may not pull the Oliver well. I have a 2008 Jeep Wrangler (as does Mountainborn) with a similar tow capacity. I find that I am not comfortable with the capabilities of the Jeep. I am having a Tahoe delivered tomorrow and will be "trading" the Jeep. Tali and I have had Yukons in the past and I know what they are like. We feel this vehicle will be the best for us. At your height, you will probably feel the need to stoop in the Oliver 17'. The 22 footer is some 6 inches taller. If you can go thru a standard doorway without feeling like you are going to hit your head, you would probably feel OK in it. It is also wider and (of course) longer. I have seen the only 22 footer that has been built so far and I can attest to how nice it is. Steve

You know, according to Larry the Cable Guy, 99% of all lawyers give the rest of them a bad name..... (with apologies to my son-in law) Steve

Tali and I are most happy for you with your purchase of the . We know how much you're going to love it. If you can possibly make it to Lake Greeson, do so. This will probably turn out to be the largest gathering of Oliver owners so far. Hope to meet you soon...

Very nice, very clever... I've thought about using that space for an air tank that I can store compressed air in. I had planned to make it out of some 8 inch schedule 40 PVC that I scarfed off a construction site about 30 years ago. (Packrat) You're right there is no sense in wasting space. Steve

Tali and I bought a First-Up from Wal-Mart last summer. We got the screen sides (extra) to go with it. We also bought a set of rope lights to go around the inside top. We only paid $82.00 for it. They seem to have gone up since them. Best price I've seen since is $93.00. It has worked out well for us.... http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... gMethod=rr

Over on the Casita Club forum a member named ronsmith100 posted some pics on 01-26 at: http://www.pbase.com/troron/oliver He took these at Quartzsite, maybe these will give you a better idea of what the 22 footer looks like.... Steve

Here's a little item I found. I really don't worry too much about someone actually hitching up the and taking her off, but if they did, having one of these on board would make finding and retreiving it a little easier.... http://www.opengpstracker.org/index.html

The 22 foot Oliver is officially in production. The first example has been completed and is at Quartzsite in AZ even as we speak... I posted a bunch of pics in the 22 foot Oliver photos thread of the first one during its final production stage.

More pics... and that's all I've got to say about that....

More pics....

More pics....

I visited the factory on 01-02-2009 to see the new 22 footer and the 17 foot sport model before they left for Quartzsite. I took a few photos.... I'll post a few at at time.

Merry Christmas to all... Steve and Tali

Yeaaaaaaaaa... Since November 10, the ability to register new members has been down due to some softwate issues. This has now been resolved, and we welcome anyone that wants to join. It's nice and friendly in here so "come on in." Steve

Very impressive, now you two are stars..... congrats and Merry Christmas... Steve and Tali

What about putting a letter, A, B, C... in front of the Hull Number to indicate the year of mfg. I.E. A=2008, B=2009, and so on....everyone's so far would be A00XX. Steve and Tali Landrum scubarx and dietgal4u 1319 Ruffwood Road Tupelo, MS 38801 662-255-0181 scubarx@comcast.net Hull Number: A0026

What about putting a letter, A, B, C... in front of the Hull Number to indicate the year of mfg. I.E. A=2008, B=2009, and so on.... So everyone's so far would be A00XX. Steve

DougI It appears that only my schedule is fixed. As I stated in the original post, I'm off April 09 thru April 15. I would not be able to attend at any other time. These dates were chosen because Larry had suggested to me that since everyone else's time is flexable that I pick the dates. Obviously, if this is not suitable with everyone else then it should suit the majority. However, Larry further says that the date has to be after the full moon due to the spawn of the bait fish that need to be caught. The moon is full April 09, so it could not be scheduled any earlier. Steve

Who's the ole crate on the front of the boat? Sounds as if we may have quite a crowd at the "Greeson Gathering", we only need one more to break the old "Owner's Rally" record set in Van Buren. Come on Paul and Sherry, you know you want to..... Steve

Hey, Larry.... That does sound like fun. Tali and I would love to be able to join you and yours for a few days. It would, of course depend on my work schedule. I will be off April 09 thru April 15. This hopefully will work out during the time that you plan to be at the lake. Let us know when you decide on the exact dates for your trip. We'd love to join you. Steve