Things to do before Spring launch
 

Skipper wrote:


Look, the Parker is a fine half-day fishing platform. However, for the
particular usage contemplated in The Challenge it comes up short. Take a
closer look at its weight, towing profile and *width* compared to the
Grady or 2252. If given the choice, which would you prefer to tow to
*remote* adventures.

--
Skipper


Since there's a very *remote* chance you'll be towing your imaginary
boat anywhere...why do you care?
Of course....... you just want to jab at Harry.

Things to do before Spring launch
 

Harry Krause wrote:
Reggie Smithers wrote:

Skipper wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:

Look, the Parker is a fine half-day fishing platform. However, for
the
particular usage contemplated in The Challenge it comes up short.
Take a
closer look at its weight, towing profile and *width* compared to the
Grady or 2252. If given the choice, which would you prefer to tow to
remote adventures.

Uh, you're not familiar with the two boats. My Parker has a much, much
larger cabin area than that Bayliner, with full standing headroom in
the
main cabin, along with running water, a refrigerator, a stove burner,
and two fans, plus opening side windows, an opening windshield, and
opening windows and a hatch forward. There's also a full electric head
up forward. And in the cabin and exterior steering and control
stations.
Plus, my Parker has flat, open cockpit that measures nearly 11' by
about
8.5', big enough to set up a picnic table and chairs. And it has a full
bimini. Plus there's a full-width motor bracket with ladder.

How nice, but I wouldn't want to tow it any distance. So there we are.
You've made your points about towing and I've made mine about
towability. Hopefully, the info can be used productively.

--
Skipper

Skipper,
I am not sure if my question was posted, but do you have any plans to
visit Gulf of Cortes in the near future?



Well, "Reggie," you just came up a point in my book. You spelled Cortés
properly. The man was Spanish, not Mexican.


I can hear Skipper cussin' & slobering all over his keyboard now.
Expect incoming.

Things to do before Spring launch
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 05:11:07 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

how good is a one armed
fisherman? How can you scratch your ass while fishing?

The important question is how can you do that and drink beer at the
same time?


Beer hat.

Things to do before Spring launch
 

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 11:53:38 -0500, Reggie Smithers
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:47:36 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 07:45:58 -0500, Harry Krause

wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 21:28:43 -0600, Skipper
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:

The only thing exceptional in this challenge is the
trailerablility of
the respective boats. Believe me, that Parker would be a real
PITA to
trailer...the Grady would not. And then when you get there, the
Grady
would do everything as well as the Parker. You've got to look
at the
total picture, IMO.
I've trailered the Parker. I have a first-class alum trailer with
stainless disk brakes and torsion bar axles. The rig tows
beautifully. I
just don't like to waste my time trailering boats any distances.
I'm sure that Parker is a fine boat. The towability issues are
over its
high boxy cabin, total weight, and width. The Grady would be far
easier
to tow.
I doubt if there's much difference between the Parker's cabin
height and
the Grady's hardtop height. The beam would be a problem, though.
Looks like
permits would be required.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************
Yeah, if I were towing my Parker any serious distance, I'd have to
get permits. But around here, in Anne Arundel, Calvert, St. Marys,
there are so many wide-assed boats being towed, no one seems to pay
a lot of attention.

Virtually all of my towing of Yo Ho has been from a parking spot at
the marina to the ramp. No permit needed.
The only way I'd tow a boat any more than a couple hundred miles
(max) is
if I were going to be at the new location for several months or
more. I've
got to get my brakes fixed so I can tow it to Solomon's. The Navy Rec
Center there is a good place to operate from, but the ramp stinks. I
launch
from the public ramp under the bridge.

I talked to the folks from Breezy at the fishing show in the horsey
place.
They've raised their prices about a $100 bucks a year. Still a lot
cheaper
than Harbor Cove though.

Did you ever get any engine maintenance done by the Breezy folks?
Have you
heard anything about them?
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

The ramp under the bridge is first-class, and well-maintained. But
the parking lot fills up fast.

I only let the dealer touch my engine. But I did have a minor
electrical problem fixed by the guy at BP. He was quick and
competent, but his hourly rate is the same as the dealer's. His shop
seems busy, though, and that is a good sign. I've stopped in his
store upstairs a couple times. Prices aren't bad.

I'm thinking of moving onto a liftslip this year with Yo Ho. It's
around $2500, I think, not a lot more than you paid for dry store.
And it puts you in charge of splashing and unsplashing your boat. I
prefer that.

Where? I notice there's a bunch at TriState's area there on Rockhold
Creek.
(I think it's TriState's area.) There's a pot full of Grady's and Parkers
there all the time and a few lift slips.

If the boat is going to be exposed to the elements, why not just leave it
on the trailer. Launching and retrieving isn't that big a problem at
Breezy.
--
John H


It's just a matter of convenience. Sometimes I like to go out for only a
couple of hours, and with a lift, it's very easy to do that on the spur
of the moment.

When I had a runabout, I initially kept it in coverage storage for about
$600/yr. I then moved it into a boatel for around $1200/yr. It was
well worth it to have the boat in the water when I got to the lake. We
would call before leaving the house, and it was ready always in the
water when we got there.

My wife could take the kids out if I could not make it. When it was on
the trailer, she always needed me there.

At $1200 there'd be no doubt. My marina is up to $2300/yr now. I figure
about two more years of this and I'll have paid more in storage than the
boat's worth.

Unless I trade it in on a Grady.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Things to do before Spring launch
 

"Don White" wrote in message
...
Harry Krause wrote:
Skipper wrote:

Second, the overall profile of the 2252 makes it easier to tow at
interstate speeds.


I don't tow at "interstate" speeds. I tow between 55 and 60 mph. Easier
on me, easier on the trucks, easier on the fuel tank.


That's right. When I towed my 'new to me' sailboat back 1200 km from
Quebec I stayed at 90km. This was no problem on divided 4 lane highways,
but in some areas of the Trans Canada it was old fashioned two lane
blacktop. Very uncomfortable to see an 18 wheeler grill filling your
rearview mirror as he desperately tries to pass on rough busy road

I tow at freeway speeds. But the limit is 55 in California, and they seem
to ignore 65 on the freeway, as everybody is averaging 10 over anyway. I
drive to Los Angeles at about 80. Truck runs good there, gets good milage,
and sort of like SS Tom, I love speed.

Things to do before Spring launch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 11:53:38 -0500, Reggie Smithers
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:47:36 -0500, Harry Krause

wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 07:45:58 -0500, Harry Krause

wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 21:28:43 -0600, Skipper
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:

The only thing exceptional in this challenge is the
trailerablility of
the respective boats. Believe me, that Parker would be a real
PITA to
trailer...the Grady would not. And then when you get there, the
Grady
would do everything as well as the Parker. You've got to look
at the
total picture, IMO.
I've trailered the Parker. I have a first-class alum trailer with
stainless disk brakes and torsion bar axles. The rig tows
beautifully. I
just don't like to waste my time trailering boats any distances.
I'm sure that Parker is a fine boat. The towability issues are
over its
high boxy cabin, total weight, and width. The Grady would be far
easier
to tow.
I doubt if there's much difference between the Parker's cabin
height and
the Grady's hardtop height. The beam would be a problem, though.
Looks like
permits would be required.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************
Yeah, if I were towing my Parker any serious distance, I'd have to
get permits. But around here, in Anne Arundel, Calvert, St. Marys,
there are so many wide-assed boats being towed, no one seems to pay
a lot of attention.

Virtually all of my towing of Yo Ho has been from a parking spot at
the marina to the ramp. No permit needed.
The only way I'd tow a boat any more than a couple hundred miles
(max) is
if I were going to be at the new location for several months or
more. I've
got to get my brakes fixed so I can tow it to Solomon's. The Navy Rec
Center there is a good place to operate from, but the ramp stinks. I
launch
from the public ramp under the bridge.

I talked to the folks from Breezy at the fishing show in the horsey
place.
They've raised their prices about a $100 bucks a year. Still a lot
cheaper
than Harbor Cove though.

Did you ever get any engine maintenance done by the Breezy folks?
Have you
heard anything about them?
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

The ramp under the bridge is first-class, and well-maintained. But
the parking lot fills up fast.

I only let the dealer touch my engine. But I did have a minor
electrical problem fixed by the guy at BP. He was quick and
competent, but his hourly rate is the same as the dealer's. His shop
seems busy, though, and that is a good sign. I've stopped in his
store upstairs a couple times. Prices aren't bad.

I'm thinking of moving onto a liftslip this year with Yo Ho. It's
around $2500, I think, not a lot more than you paid for dry store.
And it puts you in charge of splashing and unsplashing your boat. I
prefer that.

Where? I notice there's a bunch at TriState's area there on Rockhold
Creek.
(I think it's TriState's area.) There's a pot full of Grady's and
Parkers
there all the time and a few lift slips.

If the boat is going to be exposed to the elements, why not just leave
it
on the trailer. Launching and retrieving isn't that big a problem at
Breezy.
--
John H


It's just a matter of convenience. Sometimes I like to go out for only a
couple of hours, and with a lift, it's very easy to do that on the spur
of the moment.

When I had a runabout, I initially kept it in coverage storage for about
$600/yr. I then moved it into a boatel for around $1200/yr. It was
well worth it to have the boat in the water when I got to the lake. We
would call before leaving the house, and it was ready always in the
water when we got there.

My wife could take the kids out if I could not make it. When it was on
the trailer, she always needed me there.

At $1200 there'd be no doubt. My marina is up to $2300/yr now. I figure
about two more years of this and I'll have paid more in storage than the
boat's worth.

Unless I trade it in on a Grady.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

$950/summer for a drive up dock with water and electricity for our 20 foot
runabout. I winter store for free at an acquaintances yard.

Things to do before Spring launch
 

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 11:59:21 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

Reggie Smithers wrote:
Harry Krause wrote:
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:47:36 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 07:45:58 -0500, Harry Krause

wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 21:28:43 -0600, Skipper
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:

The only thing exceptional in this challenge is the
trailerablility of
the respective boats. Believe me, that Parker would be a real
PITA to
trailer...the Grady would not. And then when you get there, the
Grady
would do everything as well as the Parker. You've got to look
at the
total picture, IMO.
I've trailered the Parker. I have a first-class alum trailer with
stainless disk brakes and torsion bar axles. The rig tows
beautifully. I
just don't like to waste my time trailering boats any distances.
I'm sure that Parker is a fine boat. The towability issues are
over its
high boxy cabin, total weight, and width. The Grady would be far
easier
to tow.
I doubt if there's much difference between the Parker's cabin
height and
the Grady's hardtop height. The beam would be a problem, though.
Looks like
permits would be required.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************
Yeah, if I were towing my Parker any serious distance, I'd have to
get permits. But around here, in Anne Arundel, Calvert, St. Marys,
there are so many wide-assed boats being towed, no one seems to pay
a lot of attention.

Virtually all of my towing of Yo Ho has been from a parking spot at
the marina to the ramp. No permit needed.
The only way I'd tow a boat any more than a couple hundred miles
(max) is
if I were going to be at the new location for several months or
more. I've
got to get my brakes fixed so I can tow it to Solomon's. The Navy Rec
Center there is a good place to operate from, but the ramp stinks. I
launch
from the public ramp under the bridge.

I talked to the folks from Breezy at the fishing show in the horsey
place.
They've raised their prices about a $100 bucks a year. Still a lot
cheaper
than Harbor Cove though.

Did you ever get any engine maintenance done by the Breezy folks?
Have you
heard anything about them?
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************
The ramp under the bridge is first-class, and well-maintained. But
the parking lot fills up fast.

I only let the dealer touch my engine. But I did have a minor
electrical problem fixed by the guy at BP. He was quick and
competent, but his hourly rate is the same as the dealer's. His shop
seems busy, though, and that is a good sign. I've stopped in his
store upstairs a couple times. Prices aren't bad.

I'm thinking of moving onto a liftslip this year with Yo Ho. It's
around $2500, I think, not a lot more than you paid for dry store.
And it puts you in charge of splashing and unsplashing your boat. I
prefer that.
Where? I notice there's a bunch at TriState's area there on Rockhold
Creek.
(I think it's TriState's area.) There's a pot full of Grady's and Parkers
there all the time and a few lift slips.

If the boat is going to be exposed to the elements, why not just leave it
on the trailer. Launching and retrieving isn't that big a problem at
Breezy.
--
John H

It's just a matter of convenience. Sometimes I like to go out for only a
couple of hours, and with a lift, it's very easy to do that on the spur
of the moment.

When I had a runabout, I initially kept it in coverage storage for about
$600/yr. I then moved it into a boatel for around $1200/yr. It was
well worth it to have the boat in the water when I got to the lake. We
would call before leaving the house, and it was ready always in the
water when we got there.

My wife could take the kids out if I could not make it. When it was on
the trailer, she always needed me there.




John keeps his boat at a first class boatel. The only problem with the
place is that the guys who operate the lift trucks are only there from 8
am to 5 pm or so. That means you are boating on their schedule,
especially if you insist on scrubbing down the boat after every use, as
I do. Of course, on a freshwater lake, scrubdown isn't that critical,
but it is on sal****er.

And it's getting worse. Neither Marvin nor Rodell are too happy with the
new manager. Both are talking of quitting.

Several times last summer I'd get in at 1:30 or so just to be told that
they'd 'just left for lunch'. The place is getting crowded, which is why
they can jack the rent up a couple hundred bucks every year.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Things to do before Spring launch
 

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
k.net...

"Don White" wrote in message
...
Harry Krause wrote:
Skipper wrote:

Second, the overall profile of the 2252 makes it easier to tow at
interstate speeds.


I don't tow at "interstate" speeds. I tow between 55 and 60 mph. Easier
on me, easier on the trucks, easier on the fuel tank.


That's right. When I towed my 'new to me' sailboat back 1200 km from
Quebec I stayed at 90km. This was no problem on divided 4 lane highways,
but in some areas of the Trans Canada it was old fashioned two lane
blacktop. Very uncomfortable to see an 18 wheeler grill filling your
rearview mirror as he desperately tries to pass on rough busy road

I tow at freeway speeds. But the limit is 55 in California, and they seem
to ignore 65 on the freeway, as everybody is averaging 10 over anyway. I
drive to Los Angeles at about 80. Truck runs good there, gets good
milage, and sort of like SS Tom, I love speed.


I got tired of towing after just 2 months of it. The boat goes in the water
at a dock from now on.

Things to do before Spring launch
 

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:32:43 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 07:00:22 -0600, Skipper wrote:

Reggie Smithers wrote:

My biggest concern with a long cruising trip in a 22' boat is it is
too
damn small. If the Bayliner is in good shape, the Bayliner would
probably meet the criteria ( many more marinas today than 20 yrs
ago),
but can you imagine many families or friends staying aboard a 22'
boat
for longer than an overnighter?
A couple points here. First, the cabin and bunks on that 2252 are much
larger than found on most 22-footers. There is a huge difference in
interior space between that cuddy and the recently discussed Grady.
Second, the overall profile of the 2252 makes it easier to tow at
interstate speeds. Third, the Cortez is still very primitive in most
areas...but inexpensive air conditioned hotels *can* be found for
overnighting between legs.

Exploring in and on the Cortez is a real adventure in a small boat.
One
I'd highly recommend for the less sedate among us. What is living for
anyway? And a final point...if not now, when? Think about it.

If Skipper still enjoys roughing it in a 22' boat for a week or two,
I
say more power to him, but it would not be my preferred vacation. In
my
younger days, I might have enjoy the adventure, today I would have to
pass. I would prefer to be pampered.
In looking at the pics, I couldn't see a whole lot of difference in the
bunks, or the cuddy for that matter. Besides, with all the room on the
deck
of the Grady, I'd probably use a thermarest and sleep outside.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

The best thing about the "sleeping" area on these boats, my Parker
included, is that if your wife wants to plop down for a nap, or if one
of your grandkids gets seasick and needs to rest, there's a place to do
it.

The bunks on my Parker will sleep two adults easily, and even allow for
recreational activities, but I'd rather stay in a nice motel.

One of your buddies at TriState told me that the biggest use of the cuddy
was as a storage area. He was right. The bunks are great places to lay a
bunch of rods and reels in relative security so they're ready to go come
the next trip. We've never slept in ours, but it has been used for naps
by
grandkids, and for changing clothes. If I had a couple adoloscent kids, I
might 'rough it' for a one or two night camping trip, but that's about
it.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


I store stuff on the starboard bunk, but left the port bunk free for
"naps" and for quick access, if I ever need it, to the valves under the
cushion and under the access hatch. That's where the control valves for
the electric head are located.

I have one of the seats that make in to a bed. Wife uses that for naps
while I fish. Mine is not a cuddy, but she would probably sleep topside
anyway. A little sun, and smells better than a cuddy. For cruising, I want
a bigger cutty than any 22' boat can give you.

Things to do before Spring launch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 07:20:51 -0500, Reggie Smithers
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 19:13:43 -0500, " JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT
comREMOVETHIS wrote:

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 19:00:15 -0500, " JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT
comREMOVETHIS wrote:

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 17:30:59 -0600, Skipper
wrote:

JohnH wrote:

The Gradys are wonderful boats. But the 228 is no match for my
Parker.
Now you're just making me feel bad. Not sure what you mean by 'no
match'.
Size wise, that's for sure. But, for a 22'er, it's got a *lot* of
deck
room. I could force myself to get by!
Should one get the itch for *real* adventure, which would be the
better
boat for a Cortez challenge?
I'd take the Parker, simply because it's bigger.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************
Why not the 1985 22 foot Bayliner?

I don't have one. Otherwise I might give it a try.
--
John H

Take Skippy's advice and strap one or two 55 gallon drums filled with
fuel
to increase your range. ;-)


Well, like I said, I don't have one. It appears that one could do a lot
of
sightseeing and fishing with regular tanks. The towns don't appear to be
all that far apart.

http://www.cruisecortez.com/sancarloscruisingarea.htm
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

My biggest concern with a long cruising trip in a 22' boat is it is too
damn small. If the Bayliner is in good shape, the Bayliner would
probably meet the criteria ( many more marinas today than 20 yrs ago),
but can you imagine many families or friends staying aboard a 22' boat
for longer than an overnighter?

If Skipper still enjoys roughing it in a 22' boat for a week or two, I
say more power to him, but it would not be my preferred vacation. In my
younger days, I might have enjoy the adventure, today I would have to
pass. I would prefer to be pampered on one of these ships

http://www.windjammer.com/fleet.html

or this one.

http://www.starclippers.com/ships_rc.html

I agree. I wouldn't buy a 22'er with plans for a long cruise. At most I'd
spend a weekend on the thing, but only if a decent motel wasn't available.
--
John H


You want a lighter boat, towable 96" wide, fuel efficient and bigger cabin.
http://www.northriverboats.com/model...p?productid=11

I see at the last show they also have a 28' model. Sides do not flex. Tow
weight on trailer would be probably 7000#.