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Issue No. 30, Winter-Spring 2011

Compiled & edited by Linda Radon

 

President's Message

 

To all of our loyal “Radon Team” readers out there who have been clamoring for a new newsletter – here it is! We appreciate your patience!

2010 was a busy year! This newsletter is, for the most part, a record of the second half of the year.

 We promise to bring more Radon Team newsletters coming your way and we are looking forward to an awesome 2011. 

Don Radon 

 

 

 

Featured Boat

Doug and Mary Jo McLeod’s third Radon!

The McLeod’s have been loyal fans of our boats for many years. We have just completed their third Radon, a 26’ D.R. Radon Classic, aptly named “Third Time”.

The McLeod’s new 26’ on a foggy day off the Channel Islands
The McLeod’s new 26’ on a foggy day off the Channel Islands

Our crew goes for a ride on the new 26’ x 8’6” Radon Classic
Our crew goes for a ride on the new 26’ x 8’6” Radon Classic

Yes, it’s true – this is the McLeod’s third Radon
Yes, it’s true – this is the McLeod’s third Radon

Matthew and Don installing one of the McLeod’s engines
Matthew and Don installing one of the McLeod’s engines

The McLeod’s new 26’ is powered with twin Volvo 225 HP V6 engines with dual props.

Their boat also has dual helm seats, a dinette, sea water head, full Garmin electronics, hot tub,

a bimini covering the back deck, Maxwell windlass, inverter, microwave, and a sink and galley area with a storage drawers. It also has a heavy-duty commercial swim step.

Photo below: the dual helm seats with the passenger side helm seat facing the dinette table.

Passenger side helm seat facing the dinette table

The sea-water head
The sea-water head

Jeremy gets the tie-up lines ready at the launching ramp
Jeremy gets the tie-up lines ready at the launching ramp

Doug and Mary Jo McLeod

Doug and Mary Jo McLeod-

                     two of our favorite people!

 

             Many thanks to you both!

 

Featured boat #2

Ron Newton’s Signature 22’

Ron’s boat on the way to the Channel Islands
Ron’s boat on the way to the Channel Islands

Ron with his boat at the launching ramp
Ron with his boat at the launching ramp

Ron & Don
Ron & Don

Ron’s new 22’ has a 300 HP Mercruiser engine…
Ron’s new 22’ has a 300 HP Mercruiser engine…

as well as a 9.9 HP Honda kicker
as well as a 9.9 HP Honda kicker

It is also equipped with a Flir night vision camera

It is also equipped with a Flir night vision camera

It is also equipped with a Flir night vision camera

Jeremy installs the Flir…
Jeremy installs the Flir…

And Don checks it out
And Don checks it out

Happy Ron!
Happy Ron!

Once again, our company has been blessed with another great customer in Ron Newton. We hope the Newton family enjoys their boat!

 

Featured Boat #3

Costner’s custom 36’

Damon from Harbor Marineworks prepares for the splash – you can see the Volvo IPS drives on the bottom of the hull
 

Damon from Harbor Marineworks prepares for the splash – you can see the Volvo IPS drives on the bottom of the hull

Running in the Santa Barbara channel
Running in the Santa Barbara channel

The Command Center
The Command Center

The dinette and table with the Channel Island’s map on it
The dinette and table with the Channel Island’s map on it

The helm seat with galley aft – the large teak door has an ice chest inside

The helm seat with galley aft – the large teak door has an...ice chest inside

The helm seat with galley aft – the large teak door has an ice chest inside

The above photo shows the fold-down seat built by Hendrix Manufacturing, as well as the swim step and built-in fiberglass bait tank.
The above photo shows the fold-down seat built by Hendrix Manufacturing, as well as the swim step and built-in fiberglass bait tank.

The 36’ Radon has a walk-in head and shower with a wetsuit hanger
The 36’ Radon has a walk-in head and shower with a wetsuit hanger

Costner's beautiful new Radon

A GIANT thanks to our crew for doing such a good job on this boat. We would like to thank the additional craftsmen who provided parts, specifically Hendrix Mfg., Paxson Canvas, and Dan Shannon stainless for their fine work. Also, thanks to Harbor Marineworks and Lynn’s towing for getting the boat safely in the water. A big shout out to the Schwan Brothers for all of their help and support while this boat was being built.

 

 

Engine care, part eight:

 

 

Engine care

Fuel system

A boat’s fuel system should be inspected every year. In the event that you

smell fuel or see fuel in the bilge, this may indicate there is a leak.

Never use a boat that has a fuel leak.

If you aren’t going to use your boat for a long period of time, you should leave the tank only partially full and you should add a fuel additive to keep the fuel fresh. I realize that back in the day it was thought that one should always leave the tank full to reduce the condensation. However, with the new types of fuel, you may run the risk of ending up with a tank full of bad fuel. Before using your boat again, I recommend adding fresh fuel.

Common fuel system problems are: broken or loose hose clamps, old

cracked hoses, loose screws or a bad gasket in the fuel sender, loose fittings, defective fuel valve, leaky carburetor or plugged fuel tank vents, to name a few.

But the #1 most common problem I see with fuel systems on boats is having a plugged water separating fuel filter. All boats should have a water separating fuel filter and they should be changed at least once a year. If you are running lots of fuel through the filter or you happen to get some poor quality fuel, you may want to change it more often.

If you have an ongoing problem with the fuel system in your boat, and have

ruled out all of the above problems, I would check your fuel tank. Debris may be inside the tank and may be plugging the fuel pickup. If it is plugged,

it should be an easy fix by a competent marine mechanic.

If your fuel tank is corroded through or cracked, it should be replaced.

 

 

 

Channel Island trips!

 

Here are some photos from our Channel Island trips over the past several months

Up first – our trip with the McCune family last June 

Matthew’s first trip into Painted Cave
Matthew’s first trip into Painted Cave

Jeremy and his Dad Jeff with their fish
Jeremy and his Dad Jeff with their fish

Linda with her catch
Linda with her catch

Jeremy shows off his rock fish
Jeremy shows off his rock fish

From left: Matthew, Don, Jeremy and Jeff
From left: Matthew, Don, Jeremy and Jeff

Cassie loves boat rides!
Cassie loves boat rides!

 

Next, a 4th of July trip with Bill and Annie Parsons!

 

 Don waiting impatiently at the launching ramp
Don waiting impatiently at the launching ramp

Bill and Annie Parsons – fun people to hang out with!
Bill and Annie Parsons – fun people to hang out with!

Don, Linda & Cassie go for a spin
Don, Linda & Cassie go for a spin

Annie reads while Bill and Don surf…
Annie reads while Bill and Don surf…

They were the two best surfers out that day!

They were the two best surfers out that day!

They were the two best surfers out that day!
Bill surfs!

Don surfs!
Don surfs!

Heading back home
Heading back home

 

Many thanks to Lance Merker, who let us “test” his boat

 

Ranch surf trip with Tony Hotchkiss

Ranch surf trip with Tony Hotchkiss

Ranch surf trip with Tony Hotchkiss

 

We restore the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol’s 32’ Radon

 

Before...

before...

And after

after
Back on patrol!

P.J.'s Fiesta parade!

 P.J.'s Fiesta parade!

P.J.'s Fiesta parade!

Photos from customers & friends

Adrian Zamora
Jason Schmit’s diving buddy Adrian Zamora holds up a 48lb white sea bass he speared

 

 

The Kendall family goes for a boat ride!

Oaklon the boat captain Oaklon the boat captain


Oaklon the boat captain!

Sam and Oaklon heading out of the harbor
Sam and Oaklon heading out of the harbor

Many thanks to Sam and Chloe for bringing their 17’ Radon into our shop for the re-power 

 

 Tom “ the halibut slayer” Chung

Tom “ the halibut slayer” Chung

Tom “ the halibut slayer” Chung

Look in the next newsletter for photos of Tom’s boat after we added a hard top

 Lance Merker and son Kyle 
Lance Merker and son Kyle with some big bugs from this season

 

Dr. Ralph G. O’Brien 
August 27, 1921 – June 5, 2010

 

 Dr. Ralph G. O'Brien

Ralph and Don on a Radon Sport 21'

Dr. Ralph G. O'Brien

Last June, Linda’s dad passed away. He had a great life and he will
be missed. He loved boats and was very happy that his daughter
married a boat builder (imagine that?). Rest in peace, Dad

 

 

 

Photo ArchivePhoto archives

 


Thanks to Bev Morgan for these photos

 How we used to build hulls in the 1970’s


Above - This is how we used to build hulls in the 1970’s

 Don freeboarding off the beach in Santa Barbara

Don freeboarding off the beach in Santa Barbara


Don freeboarding off the beach in Santa Barbara behind Harold Montgomery’s new Radon, 1972

Ron Radon Sr.

I have good memories of building this boat alongside Dad

 

Radon Team is finished for now! See you next time!

 

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©1999-2010 D.R. Radon Boat Building, Inc. All rights reserved.

 Last Updated 3/13/11
 Last Updated 5/7/13