I've been working in background a bit and been doing some admin work trying to see where my responsibilities are etc.  I also just completed a small 2 1/2 week trip up to Newport RI and back to Annapolis MD to get a feel for doing a trip with a smallish crew(Pretty much me doing everything and my folks on board).

Well, during that time I've accumulated a few emails where people have asked me to post for them some questions.  I guess some people are shy or assume that I have more persuasion with the list but thats fine.  Here are the items that they asked.  And yes I know that we have discussed some of them in the past but with some of the recent departure for overseas maybe something can be added.

1. What is the minimal list of electronics you feel you need when doing a blue water trip.  Yes I know it's vague, but I'm sure we can go on endlessly about that one.  Some of these people are just beginning to think about buying or are buying boats and trying to wrap there hands around necessary options for doing trips like Bermuda, etc.

2. Insurance, this one was quite popular.  People wanted to know who the popular Brokers were to get insured for doing world travel.

3. Another popular question was what to do if you were broken down out there.. I guess this falls under redundancy, wing engine, keeping fuel clean, or maybe ultimately what to do if you really do break down with no power.

Well thats it..  I look forward to some of the conversations from this..

John Ford
PUP Admin

John asked on behalf of others:

2. Insurance, this one was quite popular.  People wanted to know who the
   popular Brokers were to get insured for doing world travel.

Scott shared:  I bought my Nordhavn a year ago.  At the time Overseas in LA
got me a policy through Zurich for $2500.  Boat value is $500k.  Navigation
limits are greater Puget Sound.  Purchased a rider for the delivery from
Dana Point to Seattle, they required a captain, and the rider cost $250.
They have covered my wife and I for Puget Sound cruising only.  When we
started making plans to go to the S. Pacific (since amended to near coastal
route and Caribbean), I started looking for a more far-reaching policy.  I
had the following experiences:

a.  Overseas, Los Angeles CA:  Contacted them 3 times, sent requested info
and waited for a reply, never called me back.

b.  Rich Haynie Insurance, Seattle WA:  Talked with Scott and learned a ton
of information.  Scott helped me put a resume together and sent in the
application to Lloyds of London.  After a few months I called Scott to see
what the status was and he advised I had been declined.  I added more info
about our itinerary being a more coastal route and he said he would reapply.
I have not heard back.

c.  Al Golden, International Marine Insurance Services (IMSI) Grasonville
MD:  I called Al after striking out with the other two brokers.  Al was the
answer to my prayers.  He took the application, followed up immediately and
provided a policy we will be putting into effect soon.  The pricing was very
reasonable, I think about $5,000 for coverage from coast to coast, through
the canal and in the Caribbean.  The policy does not restrict the voyage to
three people, so my wife and I can overnight the boat, however we need to be
able to demonstrate we are keeping an effective watch and dispatching our
duties as captain and crew.  We do have to be out of the hurricane region by
June 1st.

People on this list have been extolling the virtues of Al and IMSI for
years.  The only reason I went with Overseas was because Nordhavn
recommended them.  I'm cc'ing my Nordhavn sales rep to suggest they throw
some recommendations Al's way because he has clearly demonstrated he can do
what others can not.

Good luck, oh, I've never had a claim so I can't comment on the quality of
the service, but with the kind of reputation Al has I have no concerns
whatsoever.

Thanks,

Scott Bulger, N40II, Seattle WA