Boat slips on the net
 

Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.

Boat slips on the net
 

Frogwatch wrote:
Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.



Gosh...you'd think that by plying your crew with cold coffee and peanut
butter sandwiches, you'd have enough bread left over for a slip fee.

Boat slips on the net
 

"HK" wrote in message
m...
Frogwatch wrote:
Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.



Gosh...you'd think that by plying your crew with cold coffee and peanut
butter sandwiches, you'd have enough bread left over for a slip fee.

He did. And your cruising plans?

Boat slips on the net
 

Bill McKee wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
m...
Frogwatch wrote:
Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.


Gosh...you'd think that by plying your crew with cold coffee and peanut
butter sandwiches, you'd have enough bread left over for a slip fee.

He did. And your cruising plans?



Well, we've been talking about a national geo/linblad cruise...but I
understand the fare is at least a step up from PB&J. I like to cruise on
real ocean ships, not wedding cake cruise ships.

Boat slips on the net
 

"Frogwatch" wrote in message
...
Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.


Sounds like Florida is too commercial.
What you want exists...but you have to sail up here to get it. Might be
something for you to plan next summer.

Boat slips on the net
 

On Jan 14, 1:13*pm, HK wrote:
Bill McKee wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
om...
Frogwatch wrote:
Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. *My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. *I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. *All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. *All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. *I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. *The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. *Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. *You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. *The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. *This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.

Gosh...you'd think that by plying your crew with cold coffee and peanut
butter sandwiches, you'd have enough bread left over for a slip fee.

He did. *And your cruising plans?

Well, we've been talking about a national geo/linblad cruise...but I
understand the fare is at least a step up from PB&J. I like to cruise on
real ocean ships, not wedding cake cruise ships.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Why don't you just take your 36' Zimmerman like lobster boat? Oh,
wait, you don't own one.

Boat slips on the net
 

Loogypicker wrote:
On Jan 14, 1:13 pm, HK wrote:
Bill McKee wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
m...
Frogwatch wrote:
Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.
Gosh...you'd think that by plying your crew with cold coffee and peanut
butter sandwiches, you'd have enough bread left over for a slip fee.
He did. And your cruising plans?
Well, we've been talking about a national geo/linblad cruise...but I
understand the fare is at least a step up from PB&J. I like to cruise on
real ocean ships, not wedding cake cruise ships.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Why don't you just take your 36' Zimmerman like lobster boat? Oh,
wait, you don't own one.

Does your lawyer know you're *still* acting like a jackass on usenet,
even though he advised you to stay away?

Well, not to worry. He'll know...we've got *lots* of your insults,
physical threats (four different individuals so far), and craziness
stowed...

Boat slips on the net
 

"Frogwatch" wrote in message
...
Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.

DB,
For the cheap parking places, check craigslist for your target area. I've
seen decent neighborhood dockage offered in my area since money has been
tight. Usually there are caveats about limiting overnight stays, amount of
time on boat, power, water, etc. All makes sense since these are usually
docks behind a privately owned home. Don't know if anyone is doing it for a
few days at a time.
As for the moorings, you'll see more and more of this happening as cities
crack down on anchoring outside of designated areas.
In our area, cheap mooring would have a waiting list with the locals and
unless a number were reserved for cruisers, they'd still be out of luck.
About people spending money, it more than likely wouldn't be much unless
they happen to break down and need a service professional. I stock my boat
before I go and buy the minimum along the way. If we overnight on a dock,
we'll hit a close restaurant for dinner.

Boat slips on the net
 

On Jan 14, 2:11*pm, "mmc" wrote:
"Frogwatch" wrote in message

...



Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. *My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. *I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. *All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. *All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. *I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. *The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. *Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. *You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. *The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. *This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.

DB,
For the cheap parking places, check craigslist for your target area. I've
seen decent neighborhood dockage offered in my area since money has been
tight. Usually there are caveats about limiting overnight stays, amount of
time on boat, power, water, etc. All makes sense since these are usually
docks behind a privately owned home. Don't know if anyone is doing it for a
few days at a time.
As for the moorings, you'll see more and more of this happening as cities
crack down on anchoring outside of designated areas.
In our area, cheap mooring would have a waiting list with the locals and
unless a number were reserved for cruisers, they'd still be out of luck.
About people spending money, it more than likely wouldn't be much unless
they happen to break down and need a service professional. I stock my boat
before I go and buy the minimum along the way. If we overnight on a dock,
we'll hit a close restaurant for dinner.

I think cruisers would tend to patronize local restaurants on days
when locals do not because they are cruising on weekdays. Such
cruisers are either beginning or ending a portion of their cruise and
will celebrate at a restaurant.
Notice I said these moorings would have a 2 week limit so locals are
not likely to use em.

Boat slips on the net
 

On Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:11:01 -0500, "mmc" wrote:

For the cheap parking places, check craigslist for your target area.

What he said.

Boat slips on the net
 

On Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:26:07 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

I think cruisers would tend to patronize local restaurants on days
when locals do not because they are cruising on weekdays. Such
cruisers are either beginning or ending a portion of their cruise and
will celebrate at a restaurant.
Notice I said these moorings would have a 2 week limit so locals are
not likely to use em.

There is a public mooring field at Ft Myers Beach. Pricing is
reasonable but dinghy dockage while you are away might be an issue
both there and other places.

http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/index.aspx?NID=109

Boat slips on the net
 

DB,
For the cheap parking places, check craigslist for your target area. I've
seen decent neighborhood dockage offered in my area since money has been
tight. Usually there are caveats about limiting overnight stays, amount of
time on boat, power, water, etc. All makes sense since these are usually
docks behind a privately owned home. Don't know if anyone is doing it for
a
few days at a time.
As for the moorings, you'll see more and more of this happening as cities
crack down on anchoring outside of designated areas.
In our area, cheap mooring would have a waiting list with the locals and
unless a number were reserved for cruisers, they'd still be out of luck.
About people spending money, it more than likely wouldn't be much unless
they happen to break down and need a service professional. I stock my boat
before I go and buy the minimum along the way. If we overnight on a dock,
we'll hit a close restaurant for dinner.

I think cruisers would tend to patronize local restaurants on days
when locals do not because they are cruising on weekdays. Such
cruisers are either beginning or ending a portion of their cruise and
will celebrate at a restaurant.
Notice I said these moorings would have a 2 week limit so locals are
not likely to use em.

--------
You're right, a lot of people make use of local restaurants but I'm guessing
not enough for the city gov't to set anything aside for them. I get the
impression that most waterfront cities are way more interested in keeping
the high dollar tax payers happy than looking after this relatively lower
end tourist market.
I've seen some cruisers anchor out off marinas and wait until the marina
closes for the day and then dinghy in to make use of showers, laundry, etc.
that were put there for the people that pay for slips and the use of the
facilities. Too many to argue the allegation that sailboaters are cheap. I'm
cheap but I still have some standards and they include not trespassing on
private property to take something I didn't pay for.

I agree, transient morrings would be great.
When we were members of Cocoa Beach YC (blue collar YC) we had 2 or 3 slips
dedicated to boats in transit and the dockmaster would allow transients to
short term in slips whose normal tennets were cruising. Some transients
abused (and were allowed to) the privilege but mostly it worked well and the
club was able to help out boaters on the move. They may still do this but I
quit a couple years ago and haven't had a boat there for 6 years so lost
track of what is going on.
Hope your multi-legged trip goes well, sounds like your off to a good start.

Boat slips on the net
 

On Jan 14, 5:16*pm, "mmc" wrote:
DB,
For the cheap parking places, check craigslist for your target area. I've
seen decent neighborhood dockage offered in my area since money has been
tight. Usually there are caveats about limiting overnight stays, amount of
time on boat, power, water, etc. All makes sense since these are usually
docks behind a privately owned home. Don't know if anyone is doing it for
a
few days at a time.
As for the moorings, you'll see more and more of this happening as cities
crack down on anchoring outside of designated areas.
In our area, cheap mooring would have a waiting list with the locals and
unless a number were reserved for cruisers, they'd still be out of luck..
About people spending money, it more than likely wouldn't be much unless
they happen to break down and need a service professional. I stock my boat
before I go and buy the minimum along the way. If we overnight on a dock,
we'll hit a close restaurant for dinner.

I think cruisers would tend to patronize local restaurants on days
when locals do not because they are cruising on weekdays. *Such
cruisers are either beginning or ending a portion of their cruise and
will celebrate at a restaurant.
Notice I said these moorings would have a 2 week limit so locals are
not likely to use em.

--------
You're right, a lot of people make use of local restaurants but I'm guessing
not enough for the city gov't to set anything aside for them. I get the
impression that most waterfront cities are way more interested in keeping
the high dollar tax payers happy than looking after this relatively lower
end tourist market.
I've seen some cruisers anchor out off marinas and wait until the marina
closes for the day and then dinghy in to make use of showers, laundry, etc.
that were put there for the people that pay for slips and the use of the
facilities. Too many to argue the allegation that sailboaters are cheap. I'm
cheap but I still have some standards and they include not trespassing on
private property to take something I didn't pay for.

I agree, transient morrings would be great.
When we were members of Cocoa Beach YC (blue collar YC) we had 2 or 3 slips
dedicated to boats in transit and the dockmaster would allow transients to
short term in slips whose normal tennets were cruising. Some transients
abused (and were allowed to) the privilege but mostly it worked well and the
club was able to help out boaters on the move. They may still do this but I
quit a couple years ago and haven't had a boat there for 6 years so lost
track of what is going on.
Hope your multi-legged trip goes well, sounds like your off to a good start.

Boat slips on the net
 

"Frogwatch" wrote in message
...
On Jan 14, 5:16 pm, "mmc" wrote:
DB,
For the cheap parking places, check craigslist for your target area.
I've
seen decent neighborhood dockage offered in my area since money has been
tight. Usually there are caveats about limiting overnight stays, amount
of
time on boat, power, water, etc. All makes sense since these are usually
docks behind a privately owned home. Don't know if anyone is doing it
for
a
few days at a time.
As for the moorings, you'll see more and more of this happening as
cities
crack down on anchoring outside of designated areas.
In our area, cheap mooring would have a waiting list with the locals and
unless a number were reserved for cruisers, they'd still be out of luck.
About people spending money, it more than likely wouldn't be much unless
they happen to break down and need a service professional. I stock my
boat
before I go and buy the minimum along the way. If we overnight on a
dock,
we'll hit a close restaurant for dinner.

I think cruisers would tend to patronize local restaurants on days
when locals do not because they are cruising on weekdays. Such
cruisers are either beginning or ending a portion of their cruise and
will celebrate at a restaurant.
Notice I said these moorings would have a 2 week limit so locals are
not likely to use em.

--------
You're right, a lot of people make use of local restaurants but I'm
guessing
not enough for the city gov't to set anything aside for them. I get the
impression that most waterfront cities are way more interested in keeping
the high dollar tax payers happy than looking after this relatively lower
end tourist market.
I've seen some cruisers anchor out off marinas and wait until the marina
closes for the day and then dinghy in to make use of showers, laundry,
etc.
that were put there for the people that pay for slips and the use of the
facilities. Too many to argue the allegation that sailboaters are cheap.
I'm
cheap but I still have some standards and they include not trespassing on
private property to take something I didn't pay for.

I agree, transient morrings would be great.
When we were members of Cocoa Beach YC (blue collar YC) we had 2 or 3
slips
dedicated to boats in transit and the dockmaster would allow transients to
short term in slips whose normal tennets were cruising. Some transients
abused (and were allowed to) the privilege but mostly it worked well and
the
club was able to help out boaters on the move. They may still do this but
I
quit a couple years ago and haven't had a boat there for 6 years so lost
track of what is going on.
Hope your multi-legged trip goes well, sounds like your off to a good
start.

Someone asked about cruising plans. My intention is to go to Lake
Okechobee and get her hauled and bottom painted and look into keeping
her there for hurricane season after June.
After being painted, will go to East coast and hop over to West end
bahamas. There I will turn her over to my daughter and her bf so they
can sail the bahamas for a month as a gift for her just graduating
with her BS in biology. I will then fly home and wait till they are
done and will then fly back and sail her more in the Bahamas before
returning to Okechobee for the hurricane season.
All of this is possible only because I am cheap and my 29 year old 28'
boat was paid for many years ago. If something happens to her, it is
no big deal as she is insured for liability (only) and after building
4 smaller boats I am looking for a reason to build a larger sailboat.
If nothing happens to her, I will continue using her for cruising the
next year to Dry Tortugas and maybe over to Belize.
I've spent some time making her into my perfect cruising boat, or as
well as I could do with an older production boat. She is a 8.5 m S-2
so is well built and I have replaced all her standing rigging, sails,
etc and installed a larger engine for cruising.
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Cool. Great gift for your daughter.
As you wrote in a previous post, the best boat can be one that's paid for! I
sure enjoy not writing a check for mine each month.