Things to do before Spring launch
 

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 07:44:03 -0600, Skipper wrote:

JohnH wrote:

Based on the beam of the Parker, 9ft 6in, I'll grant that the overall
towing experience would be easier with the Grady. At least I wouldn't have
to get a permit for each state.

Now, lets get on the water. Between the two, which would be preferable for
the trip across the sea? Why?

You just can't underestimate the towability of the candidate boats. It's
the *major* factor in this adventure, not how they ride across the bay.
Both boats will do just fine on those waters. However, the Grady would
be my choice between these two in the hot summer months for obvious
reasons.

Most boaters do not find the Cortez the same ol' same 'ol. A Cortez
adventure is special on many levels. The diving is great, the fishing
even better. The atmosphere is friendly and layed back. A night cruise
over those waters is something to be remembered with the soft glow of
those highly phosphorescent waters, a glow that will burn into your
being. To really experience the Cortez, your own hull is required.

*What* obvious reasons? You keep skipping (no pun meant) the question!
--
John H

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

Things to do before Spring launch
 

JohnH wrote:

There is a significant difference in the *towing profile* and weight of
the respective boats.

Conceded. But, I'd never buy a boat for its towing profile, What, on the
water, would make you prefer the 228 Grady to the 2520xl Parker?

The overall experience with this usage. The Grady makes the Cortez a
realistic adventure. The Parker precludes anything but the same ol'
local same ol'. An on-the-water Cortez adventure *far* exceeds anything
you'll ever find on the Chesapeake.

--
Skipper

Things to do before Spring launch
 

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?

--
Reggie
************************************************** *************
That's my story and I am sticking to it.

************************************************** *************

Things to do before Spring launch
 

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! *****
******************************************

Things to do before Spring launch
 

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

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

Things to do before Spring launch
 

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:58:11 -0600, Skipper wrote:

JohnH wrote:

There is a significant difference in the *towing profile* and weight of
the respective boats.

Conceded. But, I'd never buy a boat for its towing profile, What, on the
water, would make you prefer the 228 Grady to the 2520xl Parker?

The overall experience with this usage. The Grady makes the Cortez a
realistic adventure. The Parker precludes anything but the same ol'
local same ol'. An on-the-water Cortez adventure *far* exceeds anything
you'll ever find on the Chesapeake.

[Damn, this is harder than pulling hen's teeth!]

Skipper, what *overall experience with this usage*?

Why would the Grady make the adventure any more realistic than the Parker?

We aren't discussing the Sea of Cortez versus the Chesapeake Bay. They're
two entirely different things.

We were talking, I thought, about the merits of two boats on the Sea of
Cortez.
--
John H

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

Things to do before Spring launch
 

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:57:55 -0500, 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.

Oh. When you live an hour away, the extra ten minutes for launching is not
a big deal. There ain't no 'spur of the moment' boating!
--
John H

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

Things to do before Spring launch
 

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

Things to do before Spring launch
 

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.


--
Reggie
************************************************** *************
That's my story and I am sticking to it.

************************************************** *************

Things to do before Spring launch
 

JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:57:55 -0500, 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.

Oh. When you live an hour away, the extra ten minutes for launching is not
a big deal. There ain't no 'spur of the moment' boating!
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************
The bigger problem for me was waiting in line for the dock, tying up on
the dock, getting the trailer, waiting in line for the ramp, running
over to the dock so I didn't tie up the ramp too long etc.

It was much nicer to just tie up on the dock, no waiting, unload the
boat and then ask them to put the boat up. The sun always tires me out,
so at the end of a day on the lake, it was nice to just do away with
trailering the boat.

--
Reggie
************************************************** *************
That's my story and I am sticking to it.

************************************************** *************