READER TIP Q:

Hi Mick. I read Mr. Hotchkiss’ letter in the June issue with interest (“What a Mess,” page 34). My oil filter resides on top of my Mercury 496 engine, and I have made a mess more than once when removing it.

See the attached pictures of my solution using a cutoff rubber 3-inch pipe fitting, which already comes with a handy hose clamp. The rubber piece is just a tube (or sleeve) that fits around the filter and clamps directly to the stand on which the filter sits.

The filter just slips into it and screws into place like normal.

The result is a cup that contains any spill where it can be soaked up. Care still needs to be taken.

I’m proud of it, but don’t give me too much credit. I got the idea from my German cars, which also have top-mounted filters.

It’s a snug fit; wipe a small amount of oil on the inside for easy installation of the new filter.

Izaro Urreiztieta Tucson, Arizona

ANOTHER READER TIP! Q:

Hi Mick. I got a new boat cover for my 1997 Action Craft 17 Bayrunner after Hurricane

Irma. The cover was collapsing forward of the windshield because the single-pole support would get blown down and the cover filled with water. For this reason, I bought an additional roll-control track from East Coast Plastics. I bolted it to both gunwales forward, made a support using 1¼-inchdiameter PVC piping, and inserted into my roll-control rod holders. The problem was solved.

Jim Cohen Key Largo, Florida

Thank you, Mr. Cohen. That’s a great warm-climate solution. Where freezing temps may occur, a different material should be used to implement your design because PVC may become brittle and fail in cold temps.