nh2f@abs.net writes: >Additionally, if you're going foreign, at least one person aboard >should >have a FCC Restricted Radio Operator's Permit (or higher commercial >radio >license). The fee for this is $35 and it is good for life. There >is no >test. Just for your information: In Canada this is handled similarly except there is a test (after an evening of instructions). The Test is easy and the cost is included in the fee for the license which, just like the U.S. one, is good for life. I think one can always tell on VHF who had the course/license by their clarity and professionalism and thereby greater effectiveness of transmissions. George of Scaramouche, who got his Restricted Operator's License long before he learned to sail his boat - courtesy of Canadian Power Squadron.

ReidGantt@aol.com writes: > This is about the 29 American WWII and Korean war veterans, with >average age >72, who took off today from Gibraltar in a 58 year old WWII landing >craft My vote is that this is fascinating reading and I hope you'll keep updating the list with the story. We actually have a Canadian LST in our marina. She was build at the end of WWII and never saw service. Now she is used by her owners as tug, barge and general beast of burden. Last year the skipper took me for a spin and let me drive her for a bit - fascinating. George of Scaramouche -frozen in on Lake Ontario....

lmairs@cox.rr.com writes: >in 30 years of messing around >boats, I've NEVER changed the packing. I simply add rings when they >are >needed. I never cut the rings on an angle, and I never pay >attention to >getting the rings so that the breaks are not aligned A man after my heart! Sometimes we try to be too scientifically accurate and fastidious. I spent much of my younger years on a farm and learned early the beauty and usefulness of a piece of haywire.... George of Scaramouche, bubbling in Lake Ontario, Canada P.s: I have upgraded to using Monel wire because haywire rusts too easily ;-)

Joe@jre.com writes: >Come on... 'fess up! Alright here is my confession: The first Diesel I ever owned was a single cylinder SABB. In appearance and attitude he was a bear and hailing from Scandinavia, I instantly named him Bjorg, meaning Bear. When I got him he had been neglected and not started for at least five years, I spent several days down in the engine room taking Bjorg apart, cleaning and reassembling and all the time talking to him. When it came to bleeding the last connection (the injector nozzle), he shuddered a bit and then put-putted to life before I was really ready for this display of affection. I did cartwheels on the dock and Bjorg - he hasn't missed a beat since!

Joe@jre.com writes: >I missed some of this thread, but did somebody recommend a small >wet-dry >vac? That's a great way to get that last 1/2" of water out of a >bilge >area. A small local company around here manufacturers a thing they call "Cottage/Boat Companion. It looks like a giant syringe about two feet long and 1.5 inches diameter. Made of sturdy plastic with a nozzle on one end it can be used to suck or blow and with an included gasket can also be used to unplug sinks etc. It is very useful to suck the last inch of water out of the bilge; filled with water it can be used as a fire extinguisher or to squirt people and pesky animals. It sprays about 30 feet and I have used it to chase geese and ducks off my boat and dock. Great fun for kids in the pool. Our local marine store (GENCO) sells it for $35.- CAN. George, squirting from Scaramouche

barnacle42@ameritech.net writes: >usually all you have to do is open the fill plug with the >bubble up to the hole and add compass oil What do you use for compass oil? I use liquid paraffin, same stuff as in my oil-lamps (not kerosene). Anyone got better ideas?

PBrowne900@aol.com writes: >I stumbled across >some old issues of Practical Sailor the other day. They had a >report on anchors in sand. The Spade anchor came out very well. At >the end of the article, Practical Sailor said they were planning >tests in mud for a later edition. > >Has anybody by any chance read that mud test report? If so, how did >the various anchors perform? Paul, I just renewed my subscription to Practical Sailor for another year at considerable Dollars. I think the magazine is worth it and I believe I have the issue you are looking for - December 1999. However Paul, I feel ethically, morally and perhaps even legally compelled NOT to send you a copy of the article. Instead here is their address where you can order back-issues for$7.50 each plus $2.50 postage and handling: 75 Holly Hill Lane, Box 2626-BI, Greenwich, CT, 06836-2626. Paul, I am not connected to Practical Sailor - just a happy and paid-up subscriber! George of Scaramouche, iced-in on Lake Ontario and perusing back-issues of boating magazines such as P.S.... :-) P.s: Neither Spade nor Bruce/Claw made top honours - The winner is quite a surprise!

PBrowne900@aol.com writes: >It's 72 F here today. That's 22 C and sunny. Cold up there >is it? Water a bit hard??? :-> Paul, you really know how to hurt a guy - it was -17 C here last night and the water is verrry hard. Cars and Skidoos now enjoy the bay.... On anchors: "Spade" came in second best. First in mud was "Bullwagga" - one ugly mother. Got to see it to believe it - get the article....

PBrowne900@aol.com writes: >In a message dated 12/27/00 9:29:48 AM Eastern Standard Time, >scaramouche@tvo.org writes: > ><< First in mud was "Bullwagga" >> George lied! Re-reading the article (Dec.'99) it appears the CQR got top honours in mud and Spade and Bullwagga shared second place. Sorry, must have something to do with frozen braincells. BTW I actually called up the Practical-sailor.com website and found that back articles contain little more info than the headlines and no pictures. Since I don't have web access from my computer, I had to go to a Cybercaf to find that out. Since Cybercafs charge quite dearly, I won't be doing this too often :-) FWIW I would still love to get my hands on a Bullwagga, ugly or not. One or two summers ago I helped tying up a boat in our marina which had a strange looking contraption sitting on the foredeck (there was no way to hang it below the bowsprit). When I questioned the skipper he declared this to be the best darn anchor in his opinion and announced it's called a "Bullwagga", after the lake which is named after the Bullwagga mountain in upstate New York.... Cheers, George

amblin@gate.net writes: >There was this big ugly anchor >That held solid ground without rancor. >It took a firm stand >In muck or in sand >But my poor little dink......it sank her! Very good! I too would think twice before loading up my 7ft dink with a Bullwagga.