After many years of cruising under sail and then the past eight years included a three year cruise of the LOOP (how wonderful),several long runs in the Bahamas and the past three summers on the RIVERS--at 87 , "old trawler skippers never die" they just get a little DUFFY.

"gipsea" has a large fly bridge with the best ALL WEATHER ENCLOSURE I have ever seen.

(You can also use it cool beer down real quick) But be careful - if you are in the engine room and the CO2 is discharged - not only will your engine stop running - so will you, you will only have a few minutes to get out before you pass out and die from lack of oxygen!

The muck is a sudden die-off of algae so how much is too much seems a little moot. Do you want the half-muck or the full-muck deal? Sometime in 2000, I think there was a post which knowledgeably and definitely described the biochem involved. The conclusion was, as with all the real experts, don't use a biocide. Richard

I thought it should be mad and come after us and my sister said we were all gonna die ( she says that a lot ). But we didn't and I caught a white marlin a few minutes later. My first. I really wish I knew what kind of whale it was. Its most likely is still out there, sure would like to see her again. Skooch

> > Dick Schroder > Gulfstar 43' trawler > Lying St Pete Florida > Great American Marina > > Those who live by the sword usually die from a gunshot !!

:) Somebody's gonna get a fine boat when I die. :) Rich Gano CALYPSO (GB-42-295) Southport, FL (Panama City area)

We all associate the sound of a fog horn with the traditions of the sea and such. But do we trust the sound of th 4ehornm or our GPS when it comes to the ccrunch. < grin > Arild

On 11/24/05 8:34 AM, "Otis ltd" wrote: > All say don't attempt with the wind from any N quadrant. OK, got it. > The thing no one says, is what conditions should we be looking for? > Aside from the obvious of flat seas and light winds, > what are the conditions that we should strive to cross or not cross?

Just as an update, Earl's gone, (for us) Fiona wasn't a factor, (not even much of a breeze) Gaston looks like will die down before hitting us, (we hope so). We came through just fine and so did the boat and the mooring rig. No sign of any wear at all on the chafe sleeves or the straps.