Hello all:

We are approaching the time for retirement, serious intercoastal/island
cruising etc. and trying to get our 41 sundeck Hershine ready and many
questions start to come up.
One that my wife raises is is it worth having a bread maker on board? We
have never used one on land but wonder about others experiences afloat. Any
thoughts/brand recommendations are welcome.

Also, has anyone built their own water maker? Any thoughts about this?
Sounds much cheaper and fairly easy to do.

Also wondering how the cruiser handles packing all the clothing needed for
changes of seasons when on a small boat? We have only two staterooms and do
not have room for a lot of extra stuff.

Is it worth trying to shoe horn in a washer/dryer and trash compactor?

Do you carry oil for an extra change, or expect to find it ashore where
ever.

And I hate to open this one again, but what about bottom paint? Is something
like a soft copper paint OK for a couple of seasons in the south (as it is
up here in Maryland) or do I need to put a multi season ablative paint this
spring to be ready for a late season departure?

We would also be interested in hearing about the need for a small freezer in
addition to the upright Norcold. We are pretty self sufficient for a couple
of weeks stateside, but a Bahamas jaunt might last a couple of months. Is
the freezer worth the expense and added batteries, or is getting decent meat
fairly easy? I'm assuming fish is no problem.

Many thanks for your experiences and guidance,
Bob Kassal
Chateau de Mer

Strongly recommend THE VOYAGE'S HANDBOOK by Beth Leonard. Has all the
answers.

Maurice Marwood
aepmem@bahamas.net.bs

We are approaching the time for retirement, serious intercoastal/island
cruising etc. and trying to get our 41 sundeck Hershine ready and many
questions start to come up.

<<Do you carry oil for an extra change, or expect to
find it ashore where ever.>>

We carry enough oil for one change at all times.  It's
come in handy twice, besides normal oil changes.  Once
the NAPA oil filter sprung a leak and sprayed 6 quarts
of oil all over the engine room.  Without the oil
aboard, it would have been a long dinghy ride to
somewhere south of Charleston for oil.  Another time,
we helped out another boat with our spare oil when
they were in need.

<<And I hate to open this one again, but what about
bottom paint? Is something like a soft copper paint OK
for a couple of seasons in the south (as it is
up here in Maryland) or do I need to put a multi
season ablative paint this spring to be ready for a
late season departure?>>

The favorite bottom paint in south Florida seems to be
Pettit Trinidad, a hard, non-ablative paint with high
copper loading.  I've used it for about 6 years, with
good results.

Mark RIchter, Winnie the Pooh in Stuart, FL

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<<We would also be interested in hearing about the
need
for a small freezer in
addition to the upright Norcold. We are pretty self
sufficient for a couple
of weeks stateside, but a Bahamas jaunt might last a
couple of months. Is
the freezer worth the expense and added batteries, or
is getting decent meat
fairly easy? I'm assuming fish is no problem.>>

Frozen meat, as well as great fresh fish, conch, and
lobster, are readily available in all the settled and
frequently traveled parts of the Bahamas.  Prices are
higher than the US, typically about double the price
you'd pay for meat in Florida.  We travel to the
Bahamas for a month or two most winters, and have only
a 4 cu ft refrigerator/freezer.  We find this size
adequate.

I wouldn't add a freezer for a single trip to the
islands, but if you will be doing it regularly, it may
be worthwhile if you have the space and the electrical
system to support the extra freezer.

Mark & Susanne Richter, Winnie the Pooh

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