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Managing people in a work environment is not easy due to all the different variable for each work place. However there are three control types you can implement as a manager to insure that the work is done according to standard.

Feed forward is the best control type and probably should be used more by businesses to ensure things are done correctly. Feed forward is a control measure that implements things such as rules, education and training before the event happens. The purpose of this is to prevent any problem before it happens which eliminates the necessity for using corrective action. This saves time and resources and thus improves productivity.

Concurrent control is the use of corrective action as it happens. It is also known as managing by walking around. This solution is implemented as fore mentioned, by walking around the work place, use of surveillance cameras and any other means of monitoring the work place in real time. Concurrent control is not as efficient as feed forward control because resources and time are needed to fix the situation.

Feedback control is the last resort when it comes to control. Feedback control takes place after the situation has occurred. The situation is reviewed and scrutinised as to why did it happen? What caused it? And by using feed forward control, how can this be prevented from happening in the future. As you would expect, feedback control is the least efficient of all the control types because it uses the most resources.

As a manager, you should be looking at implementing feed forward control as much as possible, then using concurrent control and very little feedback control. If the first control type is implemented correctly, the next two should not have to be used much.

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Source by John F Day

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Airport shuttles offer reliable and inexpensive transportation to and from airports in most major cites. The most common type of airport shuttle service utilizes the share a ride model, where passengers share the ride with a few other passengers to keep costs down for everyone. Some companies are even offering luxury airport shuttle services, allowing passengers to share a ride in limousines or private cars instead of standard passenger vans.

#1 Cost Effective

Shuttle services across the country offer inexpensive airport transportation services to passengers. With fares averaging between $15 and $25 per person, shuttles present a significant value over taxi’s and private car services.

#2 Reliable

Most shuttle services allow you to schedule your pick up time and location online and then guarantee that they will arrive within 15 minutes of your scheduled pick up time. This reliability ensures that you will make it to the airport or your hotel on time.

#3 More Comfortable than Public Transportation Options

Most big cities offer public transportation options to and from hotels. Depending on the city, these options may range from buses to subway systems to trains. All of these options require passengers to cart their luggage to the necessary stop, leaving passengers tired and exhausted. Passengers may also experience confusion concerning what stop is closest to their hotel. Shuttles take care of passenger luggage and drop passengers off curbside at their hotels.

#4 Knowledgeable Drivers

Most shuttle services have courteous drivers who make the trip from the airport a sight seeing affair. Landmarks and other attractions will be pointed out on the way, making the trip to or from the airport an enjoyable experience.

#5 Luxury Options

Some cities, including New Orleans, offer luxury shuttle service. These companies offer share a ride service in limousines and private cars, giving passengers a more upscale experience. Even though luxury vehicles are used, these luxury services are still affordable.

In short, make sure to research airport shuttle companies when you are making plans to travel to a new city. You will save money and experience a number of benefits during your transportation.

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Source by Leslie Miller

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Replacing Your Vehicle’s Windshield? Here is Your Windshield Replacement Survival Guide.

Safety First

A vehicles windshield provides the occupants a barrier from road debris and the outside elements. But most people don’t know a windshield is designed for structural safety in case of an accident, especially a rollover. A windshield is a vehicles third most important safety feature behind the seat belts, and air bags.

Windshields are like basketball backboards for air bags. So if you have a damaged windshield your air bag may not function correctly. It actually may inflate out the windshield cavity, rather than towards you. Or it won’t adsorb any pressure because your windshield simply pushes out.

Most consumers are not aware that when technicians replace your windshield, there is significant scratching to the “pinchweld” where the glass bonds to the car. These scratches must be prepped using paint and rust prevention steps. They should not simply leave exposed scratches where moisture from the exterior side can cause rust to develop.

Here are some questions you should ask your auto glass company:

• Is the new glass OEM?
• Did they remove the brand label on the windshield?
• Does the new glass have a shade band that matches your old glass?
• Is the new windshield the same color glass? (glass is actually colored, not clear)
• Does your windshield have a rain sensor?
• Is your windshield heated? (companies will install non-heated and charge for heated)
• Does the windshield have the right bracket for your rear view mirror?
• Does the new windshield have the same third visor as your old glass? (the painted black design which you can see around the rear view mirror on most cars)
• Are they using a universal trim molding, or the actual trim molding part for your vehicle?
• Does the company pay to fix paint scratches, if made by the auto glass technician?

Always inspect a piece of glass for scratches and distortion before it’s installed.

Types of Automotive Glass

A windshield is actually two layers of glass with a laminate material between the layers, what is called “laminated glass”. Laminated glass is extremely hard to puncture or break apart. That’s why a large object like a stunt man, can impact the windshield without breaking through. The strength of laminated glass combined with proper adhesion of the windshield to the body of the car provides massive strength against the roof collapsing in a rollover.

All of the other windows in your vehicle are “tempered glass”, which means they break into tiny fragments to reduce injury to the occupants. (a small fraction of vehicles have laminated side and rear windows also)

Windshield Urethane

Today’s vehicles use urethane as the adhesive to bond the windshield to the vehicle, like a glue. Some urethane after complete hardening which can take 2-4 weeks, can hold 500 pounds per square inch of pressure. That’s one reason why you could never simply push your windshield out. Impossible! Some urethane allows you to drive away within one hour after installing the windshield, hardening just enough to withstand vehicle accidents. When your replacement has been completed, make sure to inspect the inside of your vehicle around the edge of the glass. Make sure no urethane has oozed out into view or onto your vehicles interior. This is more common then people realize and needs to be fixed immediately before the glue hardens!

The urethane is normally heated, then applied to the glass or car body at the raised temperature. Depending on where you live or the application, they can use different kinds of urethane, even a cold temperature apply that is not heated. Temperature has a huge impact on the adhesion qualities of the windshield. I would recommend never getting your windshield replaced in temperatures lower than 55 degrees, or higher than 105 for the best results if possible. This is easy if you have the glass replaced inside of a shop or in a shaded area. Direct sunlight can heat the windshield to over 125 degrees!

Urethane does have an expiration date, so make sure you ask about this before a technician begins replacing your vehicle glass. Using expired urethane means minimal bonding power and the windshield has a chance of coming out during an impact. All urethane is made with an expiration date printed on the tubes, and if they don’t call someone else!

Paint Scratches, Rust, and Proper Windshield Installation

Deep vehicle scratches can turn into major problems later. Moisture will enter through a scratch and attack your vehicles body causing rust later. For people who live by the ocean, this can be disastrous for the structural integrity of your vehicle down the road near the windshield. If you are buying a used vehicle, make sure you check around the edge of the glass and under the trim molding for evidence of rust. Rust will spread under your paint, it is amazingly aggressive.

If the rust spreads to the “pinch weld” which is where the urethane is placed, the urethane will not bond and a windshield will leak or can even be pushed out. This can cause thousands of dollars in damage from water leaks or can even can cause death in an accident! If the rust moves into this area the technician must remove it before applying the urethane, or the vehicle must be sent to a body shop for repair.

Make sure the technician takes steps to prep and repair scratches to the pichweld. There is primer paints, metal rust prep chemicals, and other ways to cover scratches to reduce the appearance or spread of rust. The most important areas are where water will contact your vehicles body, especially under the exterior trim molding. That trim is not water sealed between the body and glass. The water seal comes from the urethane bead.

It is very important that you watch the installation of your vehicle glass if possible, DO NOT just walk away. If a professional technician can not perform the job while you watch, they shouldn’t be working on your vehicle and call someone else. A technician can cause significant paint scratching to your exterior paint job with improper techniques. Some even use nail polish or paint to hide the damage. Some even rub dirt into the scratch to make it look old! Ensure that the technician is using vehicle protective equipment like seat covers, floor mats, tape on the car body where it’s close to the glass, and a protective mat over your hood.

Make sure the technician removes body parts like windshield wiper arms and the cowling (located beneath the wipers) are removed, if the glass edge is covered by these parts. Most technicians will simply shoot a ton of urethane under the cowling area and “stuff” the glass, sliding it into the glue and under the cowling. This is extremely unsafe! A technician doesn’t even know if the urethane has created a proper seal, or if it is bonded safely. A proper windshield installation requires that the glass be place straight down onto the urethane bead. Also this ensures the urethane is not shot all over parts beneath the cowling like wiper assemblies and wiring.

OEM Windshields and OEM Equivalents

OEM means, original equipment manufacturer. So if your vehicle is a Honda Civic, OEM glass would be purchased from a Honda Vehicle Dealer. Auto glass installers can simply order OEM glass from the dealer. Make sure the glass has the OEM label. The windshield label which is about a square inch in size, normally is located in the lower corners of the glass. Sometimes OEM glass says the actual glass manufacturer rather than the Car Dealer name. Call your local dealer on what to look for.

A lot of auto glass companies will tell you they are installing the “OEM Equivalent” part. Because consumers don’t know what to look for, most times a glass with no label or an aftermarket part is used. Do not buy a glass when the label has been etched or removed. No one knows where it came from! Always check the label.

The only scenario in which you may find an equivalent glass, is purchasing a windshield produced by the same manufacturer which produced the OEM glass. It may even be from the same production line and mold from the OEM manufacturing!

Aftermarket Automotive Windshields

Do not be fooled into thinking an aftermarket windshield is the same as an OEM glass. Aftermarket windshields are made using reverse engineering instead of the original OEM mold and production line.

Aftermarket glass tends to have more visible light distortion when viewing the glass at an angle, and the dimensions are not exactly the same as an OEM. All glass that is bent has some level distortion yes, but it is considerably worse with aftermarket manufacturing. You may even see distortion when looking straight through aftermarket glass.

Aftermarket glass is transported through different processes than OEM glass from a dealer. A lot of OEM glass is transported covered by plastic wrapping and using strict shipping techniques, and the windshield’s edges are protected by foam wrapping. But Aftermarket glass is transported by much different practices. Most auto glass companies use no protection covering all surfaces of the glass for transport. And sometimes pieces of glass have been taken to customers locations and returned to the distributor or shop. So aftermarket glass has been handled many times!

Now I’m not saying aftermarket glass is unsafe or unfit to use at all. I’m simply stating the facts about the truth, for your education and insight. I feel you should be educated about this part of your vehicle which essentially protects your family on a regular basis.

Rain Sensors and Other Accessory Plugs Such as Heated Glass

If your vehicle has a rain sensor it should be located near the rear view mirror. A lot of times it looks like a circle, square or triangle. This option allows the windshield wipers to speed up or slow down depending on the amount of rain automatically. Make sure you get the same designed glass. If the rain sensor involves a gel patch, make sure the technician does not leave lots of air bubbles when installing it. Those air bubbles can cause the sensor to malfunction.

Some vehicles like a Land Rover, have plugs located under the interior a-pillar trim. On some convertibles like a newer Ford Thunderbird, a large portion of the interior may need to be diss-assembled to remove the interior a-pillar trim. On the Honda Ridgeline, the heater plug is located behind the glove box. Some new vehicles also have Lane Departure sensors located near the rear view mirror.

You can always find out what you need by calling your local dealer and giving them your VIN Identification number from your vehicle. If your car is important to you and you want to maintain the investment, always call your local dealer and ask for advice about your specific vehicle.

Windshield Shade Bands and Windshield Color

All auto glass has a shaded color. No windshields are completely clear. Typical shading colors are blue, green, bronze, and grey. Be sure sure to get the same color. You will see that all pieces of glass in your vehicle are the same color, excluding privacy glass and tinting.

A windshield may have a shade band across the top near the roof of the vehicle. This area is preferential. You should decide if you like it or not. It does tend to hide the edge of the interiors headliner when looking at the vehicle from the exterior. Shade bands do come in different colors but not all windshields

Most windshields can be ordered without a shade band at all. But you may find the part is actually more expensive because less people order it. Having a shade band does provide some shading in between your sun visors but it does little to drastically shade the sun. Take note the shade band will be darker at night.

Exterior Trim and Moldings

Your vehicle may have exterior trim or moldings cover the edge of the glass and/or covering the edge the car body. If the trim molding is just rubber, make sure you know what the technician is using to replace it. Some companies are now requiring that technicians use only a universal type aftermarket molding, rather than one that is specifically designed for your car. There should also be an OEM molding part available which is exactly the same as your original molding. Do note that cost for OEM is always more.

You may see plastic and/or metal trim moldings covering the edge of your windshield on the exterior. Normally these have some type of plastic or metal clips that attach them to the glass or vehicles body. Make sure the company replaces any broken clips or parts from removal of these parts. If your vehicle is older than 3 years, these parts become very brittle and damage easy. You may be warned about parts that always break, in which the company may request you also purchase that part ahead of time. You may find a lot of companies simply glue those parts back into place, rather than replacing the broken parts.

Vehicle Windshield Logo and VIN Window

On vehicles like a Ford Mustang and Ford F150, you may have a logo in the third visor above the rear view mirror. These windshields can be ordered with out the logo and are cheaper that way. Make sure you ask about your options.

Most windshields have a small narrow window for viewing of the VIN identification number near the lower drivers side portion of the glass. Make sure this window is in the right location on the glass. When the job is completed, make sure that glue has not covered the VIN, the VIN number plate has not been cut off, or that it has not been badly damaged. Police or the DMV will give you a hard time if the number is not legible or is completely missing from that location.

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Source by Tim Lee Doyle

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There are two principal ways to charge the batteries of an electric car: you can use the ordinary AC outlet at hoe or use a commercial charging system purposely built for the electric car.

Of all commercial electric car battery charging systems, the Magna-Charge system is the most common and widely used. They are manufactured by Magnacharge Battery Corporation, one of the world’s leading high power battery charging systems developers. The company was created in 1964 and has since produced many innovative charging systems across the world. Magnacharge Battery Corporation specializes in deep cycle batteries for golf carts and has about 80% share of the market.

We now take a look at how the Magnacharge System works.

The assembly looks much like the regular gas station fuel dispense except that where we have nozzle, the Magnacharge System has a plug. The machine is erected upright and sometimes only a small part of the front can be seen. It is usually mounted into a wall.

The Magnacharge System has a 240V 40 AMP circuit system that enables it to charge the batteries faster than the ordinary home AC outlet.

When you send the electric car for charging, the paddle will fit into the battery terminal outlet usually hidden behind the rear license plate. Once connected, power is transferred from the Magnacharge System to the car’s batteries.

The paddles and all other companies of the Magnacharge System are insulated so there is no risk of shock from exposed parts.

The Magnacharge System has one advantage over many charging systems. It has the equalization feature that allows weaker cells to slow charge till they equal the amount of energy into strongest one before quick charging begins. This way, the already strong cells are not instantly overcharged.

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Source by Jim Crow

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The following are some of the most common types of foreign currency hedging vehicles used in today’s markets as a foreign currency hedge. While retail forex traders typically use foreign currency options as a hedging vehicle. Banks and commercials are more likely to use options, swaps, swaptions and other more complex derivatives to meet their specific hedging needs.

Spot Contracts – A foreign currency contract to buy or sell at the current foreign currency rate, requiring settlement within two days.

As a foreign currency hedging vehicle, due to the short-term settlement date, spot contracts are not appropriate for many foreign currency hedging and trading strategies. Foreign currency spot contracts are more commonly used in combination with other types of foreign currency hedging vehicles when implementing a foreign currency hedging strategy.

For retail investors, in particular, the spot contract and its associated risk are often the underlying reason that a foreign currency hedge must be placed. The spot contract is more often a part of the reason to hedge foreign currency risk exposure rather than the foreign currency hedging solution.

Forward Contracts – A foreign currency contract to buy or sell a foreign currency at a fixed rate for delivery on a specified future date or period.

Foreign currency forward contracts are used as a foreign currency hedge when an investor has an obligation to either make or take a foreign currency payment at some point in the future. If the date of the foreign currency payment and the last trading date of the foreign currency forwards contract are matched up, the investor has in effect “locked in” the exchange rate payment amount.

* Important: Please note that forwards contracts are different than futures contracts. Foreign currency futures contracts have standard contract sizes, time periods, settlement procedures and are traded on regulated exchanges throughout the world. Foreign currency forwards contracts may have different contract sizes, time periods and settlement procedures than futures contracts. Foreign currency forwards contracts are considered over-the-counter (OTC) due to the fact that there is no centralized trading location and transactions are conducted directly between parties via telephone and online trading platforms at thousands of locations worldwide.

Foreign Currency Options – A financial foreign currency contract giving the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell a specific foreign currency contract (the underlying) at a specific price (the strike price) on or before a specific date (the expiration date). The amount the foreign currency option buyer pays to the foreign currency option seller for the foreign currency option contract rights is called the option “premium.”

A foreign currency option can be used as a foreign currency hedge for an open position in the foreign currency spot market. Foreign currency options can also be used in combination with other foreign currency spot and options contracts to create more complex foreign currency hedging strategies. There are many different foreign currency option strategies available to both commercial and retail investors.

Interest Rate Options – A financial interest rate contract giving the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell a specific interest rate contract (the underlying) at a specific price (the strike price) on or before a specific date (the expiration date). The amount the interest rate option buyer pays to the interest rate option seller for the foreign currency option contract rights is called the option “premium.” Interest rate option contracts are more often used by interest rate speculators, commercials and banks rather than by retail forex traders as a foreign currency hedging vehicle.

Foreign Currency Swaps – A financial foreign currency contract whereby the buyer and seller exchange equal initial principal amounts of two different currencies at the spot rate. The buyer and seller exchange fixed or floating rate interest payments in their respective swapped currencies over the term of the contract. At maturity, the principal amount is effectively re-swapped at a predetermined exchange rate so that the parties end up with their original currencies. Foreign currency swaps are more often used by commercials as a foreign currency hedging vehicle rather than by retail forex traders.

Interest Rate Swaps – A financial interest rate contracts whereby the buyer and seller swap interest rate exposure over the term of the contract. The most common swap contract is the fixed-to-float swap whereby the swap buyer receives a floating rate from the swap seller, and the swap seller receives a fixed rate from the swap buyer. Other types of swap include fixed-to-fixed and float-to-float. Interest rate swaps are more often utilized by commercials to re-allocate interest rate risk exposure.

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Source by John Nobile

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Every lender has its own criteria for judging whether or not they would consider a borrower credit worthy. So, minimum credit scores to get a car loan do not meet rigid cutoff points. Look at some general scores to get an idea of how you will be treated when you embark on your auto loan shopping journey.

The Minimum Truth

The important thing to consider when you shop for your car loan, is that the higher your credit score, the less you will pay for your car loan and the more money you will save. This is the minimum truth regarding credit scores and auto loans.

Starting From the Top

Credit scores range from 300 to 850. Around 725 is the average score across the population. A score around 300 is usually indicative of a bankruptcy. If you have a score over 680, you will not have any trouble finding a car loan and you will be offered the best interest rates. In spite of advice against getting a loan through a dealer, you may even find a good loan in those circumstances.

Next Rung on the Ladder

You will still have no trouble finding a loan if your credit score ranges from 650 to 680. You may not get the best interest rates, but you will still be able to find a decent loan. If you were going for a mortgage, a high-end auto loan, or some other large purchase, before you make an application, you might want to figure ways to improve your score to save yourself a substantial amount of money.

Bring Up Your Minimum

If your scores range between 500 and 600, you are not in the best position for a good car loan. You might want to put off borrowing for a while and definitely work on improving your credit score. If you are in the high 500’s you will probably find financing but your interest rates, fees, and monthly payments will be rather steep.

Scaling Down

If you range in the low 500’s you will have to work to find a lender, but you can always find something. You may end up paying more in interest than the car is worth. This would be a good time to scale down to perhaps a good used vehicle. Save some money on the side, improve your credit scores, and you may be ready for your dream car in a few years.

A Minimum Credit Score for a Auto Loan?

If your score dips below the 500 mark, you may want to consider putting off borrowing for awhile. Sure, you will be able to find a loan, but your interest rates are going to be over the top and you might be under the burden of that car loan for a very long time.

No Real Minimum Credit Score for a Car Loan

As you can see, there is no real cut-off minimum credit score to get a car loan. There are ranges that indicate the success of finding a decent car loan, but no real across-the-industry demarcations. Regardless of your credit score, you must diligently shop to find the rates and terms most agreeable to your financial situation.

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Source by Kate Ross

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Magnets are objects made from materials that are capable of stimulating magnetic reactions. Such reactions are created with the presence of a magnetic field. Examples of these materials are copper, iron, and steel.

The atoms of magnetic materials are arranged in units called domains. A domain is actually a set of numerous atoms that act like a small magnet. If the domains are placed against a strong magnetic field, they are made to move the way the magnetic field does. These domains tend to pull each other together, aligning themselves to become a strong magnet.

The concept of magnetism was first explored by a scientist named William Gilbert. He was the first one to realize that the planet earth is indeed a large magnet. He was also able to discover that magnets can be formed by using twisted iron. After him, a scientist named Hans Christian proved that there is indeed a relationship between electricity and magnetism.

There are basically three types of magnets: temporary magnets, permanent magnets, and electromagnets. Temporary magnets are those materials that elicit magnetic reactions when placed in even weak magnetic fields. However, these materials lose such reactions once the magnetic field is removed. Examples of these materials are Permalloy and soft iron. Permanent magnets, on the other hand, are those that exhibit magnetic properties even without the presence of magnetic fields. Examples are ferrites and alnico.

Meanwhile, electromagnets are built when large magnets are required to perform certain tasks. These magnets are made by placing a metal core inside a coil of wire that carries an electric current.

Today, magnets are used in several kinds of equipment, such as electric motors and generators. Temporary magnets, meanwhile, are used in telephones and televisions. Electromagnets are used in large vehicles like the Maglev train. This type of train operates without wheels. It moves by using a magnetic reaction between the track and the lower portion of the train.

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Source by Marcus Peterson

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There are several types of vessels which can be used for international shipping. Different types of ships are used for the various types of cargo that are transported. The design of each particular ship is a result of the specific needs of both people and businesses.

• Container ships – These ships only transport cargo that is packed into standard 20′ or 40′ containers. The containers are then stacked on the ship, one on top of another just like Lego’s. This is the main type of vessel used foe the international shipping of personal belongings. This form of shipping has significant security benefits since no one can see inside the closed container and it can be lock and sealed.
• General cargo ships – These ships transport various types of loose and even packaged goods. The numerous tons of fruits and vegetables are exported worldwide each year are transported on cargo ships. All major ports are well equipped to handle all types of cargo vessels.
• Roll-on/roll-off ships – Vessels that ship passenger cars, trucks, and tractors. The name roll-on/roll-off describes exactly the way the vehicles board the ship. Usually through a ramp that leads directly into the belly of the ship. Almost all international car shipping is done using roll-on/roll-off vessels.
• Bulk carriers – Bulks carriers are engineered for the shipping of large volumes of unpacked commodities. Business ventures in need of shipping commodities such as coal, rice, grains, and chemicals in bulk, will likely end up using a bulk carrier.
• Tankers – Tankers are for shipping liquids. For example oil tankers are used for shipping huge amounts of oil internationally.

All these ships do their business in basically two ways:

• Liner vessels – There are numerous shipping companies with liner vessels that travel along permanent routes. Their schedules are usually set like clockwork and, therefore, shipping costs are fairly predictable.
• Charter vessels – Charter vessels function according to the whims of the people or businesses that employ them. Their routes, point of departure, time schedules and costs are a function of market conditions. A good example of a charter vessel is an oil tanker. As a matter of fact, an oil tanker does not necessarily know what his final destination will be. Even while in transport the oil tanker can still be redirected to the highest bidder. The same is also true for other commodities.

This concludes our first article in our series on the use oceanic transport vessels for international shipping. Next time we will discuss how goods, commodities, or any items are actually carried on the ships.

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Source by Randall Phillips

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Buying a used sailboat can go one of two ways – it can either be a great bargain or it can turn out to be an enormous money pit. Of course, everyone wants to find that great bargain they can brag about to all their sailing friends. This article will help you understand the important things you need to consider when purchasing a used sailboat. If you are new to sailing and wouldn’t know a well crafted boat from an inflatable dinghy, consider bringing an experienced professional to help you inspect the boat. It will be worth the investment, and you’ll probably get an education in the process.

Construction Material

The most important thing to remember with sailboat materials is to avoid wood. It is difficult and costly to maintain, in addition to hiding flaws that could be impossible to detect without tearing it apart. Fiberglass would be the best choice. While some claim that a fiberglass sailboat is “maintenance-free,” this is hardly true. Plan on spending a few days per year on maintenance which could include applying antifouling paint to the bottom (to prevent the growth of barnacles and algae), regular waxing of the topsides with a good marine wax to prevent oxidation of the gelcoat, varnishing any teak trim annually, regular inspections of the mast and rigging (about as regularly as you have your car tuned up), annual inspection of your sails by your sailmaker to repair any small rips or tears, and regular engine maintenance.

If you’re not a fan of fiberglass, you can also consider steel. However, be careful to inspect for rust. This is one problem you don’t want to have. There are also boats constructed from a material called ferro-cement. Ferro-cement is the least expensive construction for boats over 25 feet. This construction methods uses steel wires covered with a sand and cement plaster. But, unless you build this boat yourself, steer clear of these as they are typically built by amateurs.

Engine

Only consider sailboats with newer engines, as older or vintage engines will be difficult to find replacement parts for. While it might be enticing to own a vintage model, really evaluate how much time and money you are willing to spend on maintenance.

The most reliable engine test is the “Smoke Test.” Well-maintained diesel engines will blow small amounts of black smoke with some white – especially if started cold. However, steer clear of diesels that blow blue smoke or a steady stream of white smoke. While diesels are generally very reliable, they do require regular maintenance. Ask for maintenance records for oil changes, etc. Gasoline engines should be leak-free and have a bilge blower that operates correctly. Again, ask for maintenance records.

Sails and Rigging

The only way to make sure the sails are in good repair is to remove them from their bags and spread them out on a flat surface. Look for mildew, previously made repairs, worn spots, pulled stitches, and broken slides. Check that the winch operates smoothly. Inspect for worn pins and shackles, worn lines, broken blocks, and fraying wire. Hoist the sails, if possible, to ensure everything works properly.

Miscellaneous

Look for any leaks around hatches or portholes. These can be costly repairs to have to fix later on. Have someone who really knows electrical check the wiring. Again, this can be expensive to fix later, or even dangerous if a fire breaks out while on the water. Check to see if there are any wires banging around inside the mast – as this could certainly keep you up at night if you’re a light sleeper.

Conclusion

Just remember when you’re buying a used sailboat that you’re really in the driver’s seat. Most sellers are typically in either one of two scenarios: They are either upgrading to a bigger boat or they’re getting out of sailing altogether. Either way, they will be pretty motivated to sell. Don’t pay more than you need to. Start with a low offer and see if they counter. If buying through an auction website, don’t get caught up the passion of bidding. There are plenty of boats for sale, so if you don’t win the first auction, don’t give up.

Use a reliable sailboat transporter, to ensure your new purchase arrives in the same condition you bought it in. And, above all, enjoy your new boat. There’s nothing like a day on the water!

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Source by Lorraine Grant

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If you are delivering a load to a grocery warehouse there is a good chance you will need to use a lumper service. While there are other types of businesses that use lumper’s, they are usually associated with grocery warehouses. A lumper service is a company that warehouses use to unload the trucks at their facility. While most businesses employ the people that unload the freight from your truck some choose to use these lumper services. When you are at a warehouse and you hear the term “driver unload” this usually means that they use lumper’s. It is very rare that you are required to unload the freight yourself and no lumper service is offered.

When you have a “driver unload” dispatch consider:

The company that you drive for may allow (or even encourage) you to unload the truck yourself. Your company will usually pay you to unload the truck instead of using the lumper service. Of course there’s a catch. They will pay you a fraction of what they were going to pay the lumper’s. The guy using the forklift may charge $175.00 to unload your truck, while your company may offer you $40.00 to unload it with a pallet jack. After you unload the truck you may also be required to break down the load. When the product is loaded into your truck it is loaded in a way that allows them to put as much in the truck as possible. Most warehouses don’t want the product stacked as high so you are required to “break it down”. To do this you must move some of the product off the top of the pallets you just unloaded onto empty pallets.

If you want to unload it yourself make sure you check with your company to find out exactly what steps you need to follow to get paid. You are usually better off letting the lumper service do the work for you. Your time could be better spent resting for the next run.

When you check in at the receiving window they may ask you if you want to use a lumper. They will tell you at the window how much they charge to unload the truck or they will point you in the direction of the lumper. Find out from the lumper how much they are going to charge for your truck. Some warehouses will charge an additional fee for broken or bad pallets. You want to know what the final fee is going to be before you call your company up with the info. Most trucking companies want you to call them with the price the lumper wants before you authorize the lumper to unload your truck. Follow your companies procedures, as you do not want to pay for a lumper out of your own pocket. You will need to get a receipt from the lumper if you want to get reimbursed. When paying by check most trucking companies consider this transaction to be a cash advance. They will take the money out of your check if you do not turn in all the paperwork they require. This may not seem fair but trust me, they will deduct the amount from your check. Get your receipt: follow your companies procedures.

A lot of the lumper services will want you to pay before unloading your truck. You can pay cash but are better off using the checks your company has provided for you. If you pay by cash you may have to wait a few weeks to get reimbursed. There is no point in loaning your company a few hundred dollars for a couple of weeks. After you have paid there is nothing much left to do but wait. Sometimes you may be asked to count the freight as it is being loaded or unloaded. The lumper can let you know if you need to go back inside after unloading. If you’re lucky the lumper may bring the paperwork out to your truck after unloading.

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Source by Keith Hutton