Bryan Kolstad: Maintaining a Safe Vessel

Bryan Kolstad is an experienced marine mechanic who’s worked on hundreds of boats in his career. For the most part, he’s dealt with mechanical issues that are common with watercrafts. Occasionally, he’s also had to advise boat owners on how to keep their vessels safe.

“It’s not surprising to find owners getting issued a voyage termination order by the Coast Guard because of having sloppy boats,” he says.

A sloppy ship is one that is dirty, has loose wiring and equipment, clogged air and heating ducts, leaks and an inadequate fuel system. It’s a dangerous boat to operate in plain language.

A danger to all

If you remember the original Dennis the Menace television show, Dennis’ toys were always in the way, causing Mr. Wilson to trip over. It might have been fiction, but when your boat resembles Dennis’ room, it’s a danger to all.

Tripping on exposed electrical lines or equipment can cause serious injuries. If the gear is not properly stored, it can cause weight distribution issues that affect the boat’s stability. Fuel and electrical systems that need to be repaired can be the cause of the fire, which is one element that you don’t want to deal with on a boat.

A clean boat is a safe boat, and a safe experience is what professionals such as Bryan Kolstad want for all boaters.

Bryan Kolstad: A Day in His Life

On a bright, summer morning, Bryan Kolstad grabs his tool kit from a store room before he heads to the marina. On his way, he meets other marine mechanics wearing the same oil-stained overalls and enters a repair bay. The motorboat engine is in the corner; it’s dull-colored diesel engine exposed. He sets his toolbox down beside the engine, determined to complete the work so the boat’s owner can enjoy a hassle-free summer.

Bryan Kolstad is a marine mechanic in Maine. He chose this line of work immediately after completing high school, enamored by the prospect of fixing mechanical parts and working close to water. He is responsible for repairing and maintaining boats within his shop.

“I like this work because it allows me to work outside and there’s always a different problem to address,” said Kolstad, a three-decade-old native of Maine. “You might work on similar issues in a given week, but handle them differently. I like that variety.”

Bryan Kolstad is replacing the engine’s transmission unit with a new one because of an unfixable break. His experienced eyes carefully select the tools he requires to complete the work, and within three hours, he’s done with the job.

Bryan Kolstad: Dealing with Mildew

Bryan Kolstad has worked as a marine mechanic for more than two decades, and he knows that one of the biggest issues that boat owners struggle with is mildew.

“Mildew is common in boats, and it’s not only ugly, but it gives off a foul smell,” he says.

For mildew to grow, it needs a moist environment with little light and ventilation, and a source of food. Before it starts growing, mold spores appear on the food source, which in boats can range from wood, carpet, vinyl, or paper surfaces. When these surfaces become moist, it’s time for mold to start growing.

Numerous products can remove mildew. Bleach is among the standard solutions that can eliminate mold and fungus spores when used correctly. Ammonium chloride is another substance that is also used, though it’s less efficient on resistant molds and can be harsh on humans and fabric.

Bryan Kolstad recommends using mild soap and water the first time you encounter mildew.
“It’s a natural combination that won’t damage the fabric or your hands,” he says. If this fails, try a chlorine-free mildew cleaner. Excessive exposure to chlorine can damage vinyl surfaces, so look for labels that have little or no chlorine.

Bryan Kolstad - Some Easy Clay Sculpting Projects for Beginners

Bryan Kolstad is currently serving as a marine mechanic in Portland, Maine, and he has been working in the community for many years. He enjoys boating, and being able to maintain the boats of other enthusiasts as well. In addition to his work, Bryan Kolstad is also an amateur clay sculptor who enjoys working on simple projects. Here are some easy projects to start with. 

Create what’s called a pinch pot. These are both pots and bowls that are a great project to start with for beginners. They get their name from the style used to create them, which means the sculptor pinches the clay in order to form the desired shape. They only take a few easy steps to finish, and you can get as creative as you want regarding the outside; add some designs and textures as you get more comfortable.
 

Candle votives are also a great project for beginners because it really only consists of two steps. First you create the base, and then you create four sides that will ultimately hold the candle. Simply attach them together when you’re finished while the clay is still soft and malleable. These can also become more intricate as you get better with practice. 

Coil pots, bowls, or even cups can be other great project for beginners to practice. This involves creating long, somewhat thin rope shaped clay pieces that are then layered in order to create the shape you want. There is an endless amount of final shapes you can create using this method. 

Bryan Kolstad enjoys spending time with clay and sculpting projects, and he continues to improve.

Suggested Read: Bryan Kolstad - Some Easy Clay Sculpting Projects for Beginners

Bryan Kolstad - Three Ways that Creative Activities Perpetuate Productivity

Bryan Kolstad is a self-employed professional who has been working hard for the sake of his community, Portland, Maine. He has been serving the people there are as marine mechanic for the better part of the last two decades, and he is trusted with any boat maintenance his clients might need. He began working in the field when he finished his education, and his obvious boating knowledge helped make him the top mechanic in the area. He has enjoyed boating his entire life, and his motivation for being a mechanic is that he gets to help others enjoy the same activity. 

Bryan Kolstad is self-employed, which helps motivate him to get things done, but he also indulges in creative activities in order to stimulate productivity. Not only does he serve as a boat mechanic, but his also an amateur clay sculptor and a tuba player. Being creative can help professionals reinvigorate their productivity overall, and actually perform better while on the job. Here are three ways being creative can help your work to the best of your abilities. 

Engaging in creative activities reduces your overall stress levels and relaxes the mind. This is great for any professional working in a fast paced environment because it allows the mind a break. Being creative focuses the mind on something enjoyable, which acts like a refresher. You may find that if you’re having trouble solving a problem, taking a break could be the solution your need to think more clearly. Stress can inhibit your ability to think clearly, so it’s important to focus the mind on something else. 

Taking the time to indulge in creative activities will also increase your mind’s ability to think outside the box. Being creative means to think of things differently than the people around you; this can be a coveted talent as a professional, especially if you work for a company that it trying to distinguish itself from the competition. The more you engage in creative activities, the faster you’ll be able to see creative solutions to difficult problems. 

Being creative also makes you a well-rounded person, which means you’ll be more likely to try new things. Performing creative activities can boost your self-confidence, and give you the push you need to take that next challenge. Self-confidence is something that is valuable in all facets of life, so it is something to work on as an individual. It will help you both professionally and in your personal life. People who don’t typically undertake creative projects are often intimidated by trying something new, which won’t be an issue the more activities you do. 

Bryan Kolstad enjoys spending time on his creative endeavors as well as his work. He finds that when he takes the time out of his day for himself, he is able to return to work refreshed and more productive.

Suggested Read: Bryan Kolstad : Staying Safe While Riding Mopeds

Bryan Kolstad - Interesting Things You Didn’t Know About Archery

Bryan Kolstad took to archery as a teenager. After his first time handling a bow, he immediately knew this was one sport he wanted to pursue and invested his time and energy in developing his talent. Archery has developed over the years and has become a popular sport in the United States and around the world. Bryan Kolstad shares a few interesting things you didn’t know about archery.

One of the Safest Sports
Archery is one of the safest sports, according to the National Safety Council. The sport is safer than golf and according to statistics, there has been only one injury for every 2,000 participants. In fact, archery is even safer than bowling.

Speed of Arrows
The speed of an arrow released in competitions flies at over 200 mph. That is about three times faster than a cheetah which is only about 68 mph. With the new line up of compound bows using high quality material, archers have been able to reach speeds up to 347 feet per second. Converted into miles per hour that amounts to 263 mph.

Archery Disappeared from the Olympics
Archery was introduced to the Olympics in 1900 but was dropped in 1920 because there was no uniformity in rules and equipment. It was only reintroduced to the Olympics in 1972, and has continued to be a major sport ever since.

Bryan Kolstad is a toxophilite – an archer. Toxophilite is from the Greek word “toxon” meaning bow and arrow, and “philos” meaning loving.

Source: http://www.archery360.com/2016/05/11-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-archery/
http://www.outdoorlife.com/features/chasing-speed-fastest-compound-bow/
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Bryan Kolstad - Popular Types of Boats

Bryan Kolstad is a marine mechanic who works to repair and maintain many different types of boats. He lives in Maine, where boats are a huge part of everyday life and are used for many different purposes. For those who live close to the ocean, or to a lake or river, there are actually many advantages to buying or renting a boat. Here are just a few of the many different types of boats.

Fishing boat: These are large boats that are used for the purpose of catching fish and other seafood. These boats can range in shape and size, depending on where they are used and whether they are private or commercial. Fishing boats are designed to carry all necessary fishing equipment, as well as any fish that are caught.

Ferry: A ferry boat is used to transport people across rivers or other small bodies of water. They typically are mid-sized boats, large enough to carry several dozen people comfortably. They often have decks where passengers can sit outside. They also can be used to carry cargo, or even other vehicles.

Racing boat: Racing boats are small but very efficient boats that are created to move very quickly and are very streamlined. They typically carry only one to two passengers, and are used in boat racing competitions.

Yacht: These boats are used for purely recreational purposes. They are very light, and are designed to carry passengers comfortably. They can also be used for racing.

Bryan Kolstad works with these, as well as many other types of boats, in his work as a marine mechanic.