[I'm curious--How Many Have an EPIRB?]

Have one. It mostly stays in my closet. It come out only for longer trips.

[What got you started into Boating?]

When I was about 7 I used to "help" my neighbor. He lived in a big house and rented rooms. He had an old skiff that I helped him paint. Accross from it in the barn was this upside down hull. He didn't know what it was but said one of his tenants owned it and was working on it. It was smooth and looked like a rocket.

I kept lookout and spotted him going into the garage. I introduced myself and he explained that the 20' wooden bullett was a sailboat called a Highlander. I helped him work on it and was there when he took it away to launch. Turns out he was the National Champion in the class. The boat was a sheer terror and way too wild for my light weight. But I got the salt splash in my face and that was the beginning. Best part: Fast forward 15 years, I ran into him by acident. He was now sailing Rhodes 18's. I spent 2 seasons crewing for him. He went on to win the nationals. Some things are just special.

[Question for the board...what is the best CC]

I doubt there is a "best". It all has to do with intended use. A YF is not a family cruiser. A Midnight Express is not a down & dirty fish boat. I have a Triton 2895. It isn't the best; it is far from the worst. It does a lot of things well and other boats do some things better or worse.

You need to figure out what you are realisticly going to do with the boat and go from there. Miami is a blast as there are innumerable hulls to ride. Every boat has it's own personality and it's pro's and con's. That is what makes the search so much fun.

[the best boat wax]

I like REJEX. However, I don't like the shine so I usually wax over it. Colonite if I have tine but McGuires if not.

[ReelBoating 3.0]

Speaking of the Miami Boat Show....doing anything?

[Miami Boat Show Party?]

My life is a bit confused but Intrepid 400 Cuddy/ Krogen Express 52

[Miami Boat Show Party?]

After 4 years of false starts and weather cancellations I am finally going to Miami. Should be there Fri-Sat.

I would love to shake your hand if you are going to be anywhere specific.

Also looking at a house in Idlewyld in Ft Lauderdale and could use a data dump.

[Waterproofing Canvas]

Hi All

I have a T-Top on my cc that uses canvas and is about 5 years old. I haven't treated it with anything in this time and I noticed last time I was out fishing in the rain (happens tooo often!!) that water is seeping through. Can anyone suggest a good spray or home treatment for it? Its fading a fair bit too so I guess some UV protection would be good too?

I'm in Australia but imagine most things would be available on line etc.

I second the 303 product. Use it on boat & car.

[-634.76]

I assure you that the "big guys" are feeling the pain.

As I posted elewhere, this is not a good thing for the boating industry. One exception might be the boating clubs. They provide a reasonable alternative to ownership in difficult times.

The one in my area (Norwalk CT) is booked solid.

[Boat Sales Continue to Decline]

I see this everywhere. No one does a real face to face anymore. We were in a restaurant and 8 20 somethings were a few tables away. No one was talking to one another-they were all texting. Why bother to get together?

Anyway, today is a serious blow to the boating industry. Extreme amounts of wealth were eradicated this week (it's only Monday!!). Even if one were 100% cash the general malaise and fear of impending doom will put the buyer's hands back in their pockets.

[Odd Boat industry question - Indulge me please]

Tough business You probably can't get with a major as you have no experience. You probably can't go with a minor as you cost too much.

Think add-ons like electronics or fuel additives. Think large repair yards/dealers. Call the Galati family and ask their advice. See if you can talk to anyone at Derecktor.

Think boating clubs. They are hot and growing. There is going to be a huge roll up in this sector and you might be able to catch a wave. Think multi location operators like Brewer's and Galati.

Work on a captain's license so you have some "cred".

It will take a while but this is a networked industry and you need to start connecting. You could become a territory manager for a smaller boat manufacturer. Strictly commission and you will never see home but for Christmas.

Whatever you do I wish you good fortune. Change ain't easy.

[Odd Boat industry question - Indulge me please]

Before my question, let me just say that I have always had such a great passion for boats that quite frankly may not be normal. Whenever I am driving down the highway and I see a boat being trailered I speed up or slow down to get a closer look. If I go to boat shows I get sick with all the different things I want to do to my boat or start thinking about upgrading. Sometimes, I avoid being around boats just to keep my sanity.

With that said, I am educated (MBA) marketing professional with many years of experience in the technology field. I was recently let go and I am actively pursing another similar job. However, I am not passionate about about technology and was wondering how to penetrate into the marine industry when your just an avid boater. If I could do for a boat manufacturer what I do for the technology sector I would be in heaven. It wouldn't even be called work for me.

Anyone know how to get into the marine industry when you don't have the experience but a tremendous amount of passion for all things aquatic? Lastly, I have done well for myself in the technology field, can you make a comfortable living in marketing in the marine industry or are the margins and unstable market a detriment to my dream?

Thanks in advance.

[Pop]

Thanks for the offer but I think I'll stay on shore and watch. Sick!

[MIAMI BOAT SHOW - SIGN IN]

Thurs- Fri Intrepid 400 Cuddy and equivalents I died at the airport last year so I am psyched.

[Old oil]

FWIW I was reading the December Hemmings. On page 41 is an ad for a company www.bradpennracing.com. They claim to formulate with "high levels of zinc and phosphorous".

No idea if it is trus and I am not touting but it might be a solution. I own several "old" cars and it is starting to be a problem for me as well.

Good luck!

[Anyone know Casey Key, Sarasota County?]

Thank you!

[Anyone know Casey Key, Sarasota County?]

I really like the area-'specially the north end. Thinking of something like a big CC. Will it fit?

[We dodged a good one]

Mostly S SE but it still rattled the shoreline. I'm on LIS but the LI south shore must have been mauled. Just looked at the report from 44097 (Block Island) and it reports 11 1/2 ft with an 8 second period.

[Miami Boat Show]

Would love an answer to that as well. I'm fairly sure I will be in the area and will stay over to catch the show.

[WILEY'S NEW RIDE]

How much gold chain can it carry?

[Boating Print Magazine]

Waiting for the wife at the grocery store I went to the mag rack and grabbed a magazine called "Boating".

In my hand it felt more like a calendar than a magazine ... Very thin ... couldn't have had 40 pages in it.

Are other boating mags like this?

Perhaps more to the point: They give away subscriptions to this at all the boat shows. They are pretty good at not cancelling either after the trial. Salt Water Fisherman, Boating, Ski, and a few others seem to be the most obvious. I think there is a cruising mag and one other super-boat mag.

[Boating Pet Peeves?]

Worse in my area they refuse to wear anything other than GI boots. I told my neighbor who is in the CGA if they stopped wearing the boots for the courtesy examinations they would get a lot more requests. They just destroy my non-skid and I refuse to have them on my boat.

After he said "great idea" a year later here they all are in their boots.

[Boating Pet Peeves?]

Coast Guard Aux. playing Coast Guard at the boat ramp. They leave their boats tied to docks and block two or more ramps, then they go inside the building most of the day.

[Boating Pet Peeves?]

Mine: People that think a busy channel is the perfect place to pull their kids on a tube.

I took my boat for a run around Manhattan last Saturday. This is a very busy place. All the pleasure boats were: speeding/not momitoring a channel/drinking/not understanding right of way........

I would rather be in the thick of the tugs and ferries rather than the week end boater.

[How has the Gulf Oil Disaster Affected You?]

How has the Gulf Oil Disaster Affected You?

I know we have several members from the Gulf Region here. Are you seeing oil on your shores? Has it affected your boating and fishing?

Has it changed your views about energy, oil drilling, Corporate America, Corporate UK??

Over on the Southeast Florida Coast we have our alert out in case the loop currents bring the mess over this way.

Thoughts?

All my problems are small compared to those living there. I was on my way to FL to look at houses. (W Coast south of St Pete). I have postponed my trip to await the current course of the spill. I would think waterfront West Coast sales are slowing. I am also getting myriad calls from brokers trying to sell me BP bonds. OY! God's grace to all of you effected by this.