rec.boats Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1 of 5)
 

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/boats-faq/part1/

For the other parts follow the links....

Contents



1 Pre-introduction 1



2 Introduction 4



3 Sailing Stuff 5


3.1 Addresses of class associations for sailboats . . . . . . . .
.. 5


3.2 How can I get into sailboat racing as a crew member? . .
10


3.3 Is the MacGregor 26 a good boat? . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11


3.3.1 Does water ballast work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12


3.3.2 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 13


3.4 What's a good first sailboat? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 14


3.5 How do those rating systems and all that stuff work? . . . .
14


3.6 Who/What is US Sailing, how do I join, should I join? . . .
20


3.7 Where can I find out about collegiate sailing? . . . . . . .
.. 21



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3.8 What about keels? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 21


3.9 Sailing simulators? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 23


3.10 Chartering and learn-to-sail schools . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 23


3.11 Formula for hull speed based on length, and its limitations .
25


3.12 Sailing in other countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 26


3.13 Sailing in Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 26



4 Powerboating stuff 29


4.1 What is better? An I/O or an outboard? What's cheaper? 29


4.2 Are Doel Fins a good thing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 29


4.3 What is a Hole Shot? Will a Stainless prop add to my high
end speed? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 30


4.4 Is VRO a good idea? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 30


4.5 What's a good first powerboat? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 30


4.6 Can I put unleaded gas in an old outboard? . . . . . . . .
32


4.7 Are there any powerboat class associations? . . . . . . . .
32



5 General Information 33


5.1 Addresses and numbers for suppliers . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33


5.1.1 NMEA Specification for inter-electronic communication
38


5.1.2 Anchor Chain And Rode, Other Hardware . . . . . . 39


5.1.3 Navigation and Simulation Software and Equipment 39


5.2 Safe boating courses and organizations . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 40


5.3 Should I get GPS or Loran? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 41


5.4 What other newsgroups discuss boating stuff? . . . . . . .
44


5.5 What's the 800 number for the User Fee Sticker? . . . . . .
44



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5.6 What's it cost to own a boat? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 44


5.7 Who can tell me about boat X? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49


5.8 What are the laws about boats...? . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 50


5.9 What's a formula for top speed? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 53


5.10 Accurate time source for navigation . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 54


5.11 Winter storage for batteries, and their state of charge . .
.. 54


5.12 Online information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 56


5.13 Should we split rec.boats? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 59


5.14 What sextant should I buy to learn with? . . . . . . . . . .
60


5.15 Boat pictures, and ftp sites for boat info . . . . . . . . .
.. . 60


5.16 Propellor selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 61


5.17 Binocular selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 61


5.18 Blue book value of boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 62


5.19 Interfacing NMEA0183 to your computer . . . . . . . . . .
63



6 Bibliography 63


6.1 Magazines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 63


6.2 Nonfiction about sailing trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 67


6.3 Sailboat Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 71


6.4 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 72


6.5 Fiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . . 73


6.6 Design, seaworthiness, arts of the sailor, boatbuilding . . .
.. 99


6.7 Films and videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . 104


6.8 Misc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . . 105



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7 List of Contributors 107