Chris,

 It's always nice to welcome another Manatee owner. I regret that I

cannot help you out with a surveyor in Fla., maybe some else can .

I have had very good luck with the Volvo engine -- it seems to be
strongly built.

The follow that surveyed it for me in Baltimore was Tom Acres, who has
a mobile marine service in the Chesapeake area - He has done a great job
for me on two Volvos
( the one in the Manatee and a previous one in my Choey Lee sailboat )
and I would recomend him without hesitation, should you require any work
when you get back to the Chesapeke.  His rates are quite fair and his
work meticulous.

You may also find some useful information in the archives of the
Krogen Cruisers to which I hope you will join . Remember that Matt
Gambrill owner of Calvert Marina
in Solomons Island Maryland provides FREE overnight dockage for Krogen
owners in transit -- and is also a source of reduced fuel prices - I
think I paid .75 cents there last year -- a bit cheaper than anything in
Annapolis that I found anyway .

What will you name her ?

Give a hollar when you get back to Annapolis,if I can help with
anything.

                        All the Best, 

                               Ken McQuage        
                               MV Mrs. Hudson 
                               K.K. Manatee 
                               Baltimore 
                              

PS : the usual discalimers apply

Hello out there!
Having had the good fortune of meeting some of you in person at Trawler
Fest, I've summoned the courage to post a message (been lurking for
weeks!).  I'll get right to the point and first ask my question. Then,
if you care to, you can continue on to my little introduction and
Trawler Fest 'endorsement'.  I know it takes time to read all this
Trawler Mail!

QUESTION:  Could someone recommend a good surveyor who works in the
Central Florida area?  I'd also like a link to someone who can
competently survey the 100 hp.Volvo Penta TMD engine!  Thanks in
advance.
Chris Fountain (cfount@earthlink.net)

Now, on to "My Story"...

By way of introduction: I'm a single woman who, in honor of a
significant mid-range birthday, is moving aboard the '84 Krogen Manatee
that I bought at Trawler Fest!  I will be moving from Cary, NC to the
Annapolis area after I take delivery. In my imagination, I see myself
anchored in a lovely Chesapeake harbor, comfortably seated on the aft
deck or in the Manatee's spacious saloon, sipping something appropriate
to the season, coaching my lifeskills clients by cell phone. Or, having
them visit me on my 'office' at the dock, able to truly focus as they
enter a new and calming environment.

I have been sailing all my life and, until recently, knew little if
anything about trawlers, diesels, generators, etc., etc., (and frankly,
didn't think I wanted to know!)  After all, my father lived aboard a 32'
ketch for the 20 years before he passed away...why shouldn't I?

I started my trawler research (via the internet, talking to boating
friends, and this list) about a month before Trawler Fest, and learned
enough to become enthusiastic about attending.  Just before I left for
Melbourne, I made arrangements with the owner to see the Manatee (my
first look at one).  Truly, I had no intention of making a purchase for
another couple of months. I went aboard on Thursday afternoon, and the
boat simply felt good to me right away.

However, I was still concerned about my lack of knowledge of 'all things
trawler'.  Of equal concern was single-handing a boat that has limited
access aft from the pilot house (on a sailboat you can do it all if you
can run fast enough!)

By the time I had attended a few seminars on Friday (including Switching
from Sail to Power, and Diesels 101), talked to as many people as I
could about potential problems, and had the chance to 'Trawler Crawl'
around an astounding number of boats (representative of many
manufacturers and sizes), my confidence was rising.  Exactly 28 hours
after arriving in Melbourne, I knew the Manatee had to be my boat and my
home, and shook hands on the deal that will alter my life forever.
Thanks to all of you who were so generous in sharing your knowledge, and
your good wishes!

Looking forward to many more happy hours spent learning on this List!

Chris Fountain

Hi Chris,

Check the http:\www.marinesurvey.org website from the SAMS group. They list
all their member surveyors and maybe a few calls will turn up a specialist
on the Volvo Penta.

Good luck,

Capt. Paul Shirley