Getting to a phone line to access the net when one is cruising is a real
challenge. In the last 60 days of cruising New England waters I have only
been able to get on twice – both with a phone line borrowed from a
liveaboard in an adjacent slip.

Why can’t marinas provide phone service like a hotel does? Just give us a
dial tone and we pay the rates .

I would be happy to compile and update a list of marinas between Maine and
FL which make it easy for a transient to either plug in at the slip or take
one’s laptop nearby to get a dial tone.

Thanks for any input . . .

If you’ve built either of these, drop me email …

 —COD

dadad…@friend.ly.net

– COD
   craig_o’donn…@bmugbos.org  |||  author of Cool Mac Sounds

– "What ho, Mercutio"  [Wm Shaksper]
— "What? Homer Simpson?!" [M Groening]

I am interested in purchasing this boat, and want to know if anyone is
familiar with them.  Any words of praise/warning/advise would be
tremendously appreciated.  This is my first boat, so I’m really seeking
the input of the boating community.

Thanks.

John

I have a Grampian 30 with a desk stepped mast, and would like to go
down the ICW, and perhaps over to the Bahamas, and then south to the
islands. I thought of converting (dropping through the cabin roof) my
mast so that it rests on a keel step. My questions then are:
1. For such a trip, is a deck stepped mast safe (i.e. is a conversion
necessary)?
2. Does anyone have any experience in converting a deck stepped mast to
a keel-stepped one?

Thanks

Barry Morrison
Nightmoves, ABYC

Hi gang–
  Just wanted to extend a hearty "Attaboy" to all on this group. I’ve
been sailing since I was a high school kid, and yet I learn new things
nearly everytime I log on to this group. I have found postings to be
considerate, informative, humorous, helpful, concerned, and very positive
and encouraging.  Clearly, there are knowledgeable sailors aboard.  
Thanks to all, and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
  One other thought.  I’ve noticed that some writers include their boat
name, make and size, and general location at the end of their postings,
and I find this very interesting and helpful, and often relevant to the
comments made. I’d encourage all of us to follow suit.
Happy sails,
—-
Ed, Tartan 3000 s/v Chrysalis, LI Sound

  We purchased a ’89 Irwin 43 center cockpit this spring. ( I know I know,
i’m a complete idiot for not getting a new Hinkley, but the queue was to
long at the order desk.)
  My problem is critters in the fuel, the previous owner was a little
lax on his maintenance. I have a fuel cleaning guy coming to pump out the
tanks and clean the fuel. He won’t guarantee the job with out access to
the tank. I’m going to install a couple of access plates for him  and
was wondering what the tank is made of? All fiber glass or steel with
a fiber glass cover? Anybody done this before or know what the tank
is made of?  
 thanks
 dave dehn
 d…@cray.com

Does anyone have or know where to get tide time &ratio correction for SE
LA.?
Please either post or E-mail me
                        Paul Collignon
                        burn…@linknet.net

I am seeking a bit of local wisdom from the midwest r.b.c folks…

I have just moved from California to Illinois and am going through
some cruising withdrawl.  I do not currently have a boat so I thought
I would look into chartering on Lake Michigan.  

Does anyone have any cruising suggestions for a short (e.g. 3-day) trip?

What is the reccomended cruising guide?

Can you refer me to a company that charters sailboats between 24′ and 42′?

When is the end of the normal sailing season for southern Lake M.?

I would probably prefer leaving from the Chicago area, but would
certainly be willing to go elsewhere if the price/cruising grounds
were better (I live in Champaign).  Of course, if anyone has a boat
and would like some company, I would be interested.  

Still getting used to flat-land, but looking forward to trying some
freshwater sailing,
Terry Schell

I have a 1996 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer, with in-board V Drives, set up for
Lake cruising.  I wish to move the boat to the ocean, and am concerned
that cooling the engine with salt water may not be the best idea.  What
is the best way to deal with this issue?  Thanks for any advice from
those familiar with ocean powerboating.

We live in Madison, WI are are contemplating purchasing a cruiser to run
up and down the Mississippi River.  We are thinking of Prairie du Chien as
a home port but know very little of the facilities over there.  We would
primarily be going between the southern border of Wisconsin and La Crosse
and sometimes up toward the twin cities.  Does anybody have any advice on
a good place to rent a slip and base our boat?