JohnH,

In most states it would be illegal to let preteens take out the boat for a
weekend. When I a was a kid, it was fairly common to let a 12 yr old to
take the boat out. Today more states are getting wiser and are setting
minimum age requirements for boaters (16yr old), and insisting teens and in
some states adults pass a Boater Educational Course. The offer the courses
online, and they are far from perfect, but it is a start in the right
direction.

Today, I see substantially few idiots on the water than I did 10 yrs ago,
and the accident statistics continue to show improvements.


"John H." wrote in message
...
On Fri, 18 Nov 2005 20:36:39 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Sat, 19 Nov 2005 00:52:24 GMT, "NOYB" wrote:

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
NOYB wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
NOYB wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Forget that Grady.

This is what you want:

http://www.parkerboats.net/pages/boa...l.jsp?boatid=4
Not enough bunks for the kids.

But I like Parkers.
Aha! Kids! No wonder you want a Grady. Creature comforts.
I like Gradys myself. Our Parker dealer is, I believe, also the
largest
Grady dealer in the Bay area.
Yes. 3 kids. Ages 6, 4, and 2 1/2.

I needed something with an A/C, generator, and higher gunwales.


In fact, he's got a lightly used 30' Marlin available:

http://www.tristatemarine.com/Used-B...rady_white.htm

And another:

http://www.tristatemarine.com/Used-B..._white300m.htm
The first boat is too much money for my budget. They have the twin
to
that boat at FishTale Marina in Ft. Myers Beach for the same exact
price.

The second boat looks just like the one that I'm buying. The ad that
you
posted doesn't list the year, or whether it has a generator,
outriggers,
radar, or autopilot...all of which are on the 2001 that I'm buying.
Of
course, I'm paying about $5k more than that asking price...so I guess
it's a wash (assuming that the one you listed is also a 2001). If
that
one is a 2001 or newer, it's a very good buy...because it appears to
be
in excellent shape. The one that I'm purchasing hasn't been bottom
painted, and has been stored high and dry since new. It's also
within
range of here, without having to pay someone $2/mile to ship it from
Maryland.




I just heard from the surveyor about 1 hour ago. There's greening on
the
through-hulls and seacocks (minor corrosion...nothing major), and
some
minor dings and scratches in the rubrail and sides of the boat.
Everything works, and there's no sign of water intrusion, or moisture
in
the hull. The engine compression tested well within the 10%
variation
across all cylinders

All of the electronics work. He didn't test the generator because I
told
him that I already knew that it didn't work. But the seller agreed
to
fix or replace it.

I'll be departing Tampa tomorrow morning if seas permit. Otherwise,
I'll
handle the paperwork tomorrow and bring it back on Sunday...or the
Friday
after Thanksgiving.

I was up at 4:30am this morning. I don't know if it was last night's
meal of a spicy corn/crab chowder, mahi with shrimp and scallops in a
lemon butter caper sauce, and a couple of Oktoberfest Sam Adam's...or
if
it was excitement over this boat...but I had horrible hearturn this
morning. ;-)


Good luck. Are you selling your whaler or building a flotilla?
I'm going to sell the bigger Whaler...and keep the 17' Outrage.

Actually, I told my wife that she could redo the kitchen as soon as the
Whaler sells...so she's been telling anybody who will listen that it's
for
sale. She has me sending out 4 emails next week to people who already
expressed to her that they might be interested in it.

With the incentive that I offered her, while I'm fishing on the new
boat,
she'll be working hard to sell the old one. I have my own live-in
broker...but this broker charges a 110% commission.

I second the congratulations on the new boat and wish you all the
success in the
world with it!

Parkers are nice, for fishing, but they are most definitely *not* a
family boat.
The Grady's are nicely outfitted for family getaways *and* for fishing.

Have a good one.


Depends on the family. My Parker has comfy bunks for two adults or three
small kids, with thick, well-made cushions, a flush toilet, a freshwater
sink, a refrigerator and a store. It's got more room in the cabin than
the same-sized Grady, but there is no question the Grady is more plush.

How often would you let just the three pre-teens take the boat out for a
weekend? Or, how often would you leave the pre-teens in a tent on the
beach
while you and your bride occupied the thick-cushioned, comfy bunks?
--
John H

"It's *not* a baby kicking, bride of mine, it's just a fetus!"

A Famous Hypocrite