From: "Garrett Lambert" <glambert@telus.net> Subject: TWL: Re Rants About Impressions versus Tests - Possible Solution >I'm working with Georgs Kolesnikov on his new trawler magazine that will debut this year, and the issue of standards and tests for boats is a very bright blip on our radar screens.....If you'd like to help us get this right, I'd be grateful if you and other TWL-ers would let me have your detailed suggestions on what it is you want to know about a boat, especially the tests, measurements, data et al that you believe should comprise a proper trawler report. Off-line or on as you choose. Everyone will have their own set of priorities, of course. For myself, being a relative newcomer to the trawler scene, I would rate reliability, accessibility, and repairability at the top of my "want to know" list concerning a boat, new or used. In terms of a magazine review, I guess reliability would translate into an evaluation of the guality of the equipment on a boat, from engines to things like seacocks and plumbing and elecrical components. In other words, is the hardware the manufacturer selected of proven high quality or is it "adequate." This seems to be one of the major differences between production boats made by companies like Bayliner (Meridian now?), and Krogen, Grand Banks, etc. Accessibility would refer to the ease or difficulty of getting to the things that will someday need servicing, maintenance, or repair. Also, how easy is it to store things in the boat, use the head or shower, operate in the galley, etc. Can an average-size person (and we're getting bigger these days), move around in the engine room or space to get at the filters, hoses, belts, etc? Repairability would pertain to "how easy will this boat be to fix when it's 20 years old?" Is the hull, deck, etc. solid fiberglass or cored? Will the holding tanks be relatively easy to remove and replace? Same thing with fuel tanks. What's the manufacturer done to combat blistering, if it's a fiberglass boat? What are windows like in terms of resistance to eventual leaking, corrosion, etc? And while not strictly a repair, how easy will it be for an owner to add systems like an inverter (if the boat doesn't come with one), a watermaker, an autopilot, cabin heat, etc. The buyer of a new boat shouldn't be worrying about having to replace the fuel tanks or rebuild the windows, but somebody will have to do it someday, and this can affect the resale value of the boat. Oh, one other thing. In addition to reviews of the newest offerings from the manufacturers, most of which are well out of financial reach for many of us, it would be refreshing to see some comprehensive reviews of the kinds of boats many of us end up actually buying. So reviewing a fifteen year old Krogen, a thirty year old Grand Banks, a ten year old Nordic Tug, and so forth might be of real value to many of your potential subscribers. Just my two cents worth, and I'm sure everyone else will have plenty of other good suggestions. Probably more than you want..... :-) _______________ C. Marin Faure GB36 "La Perouse" Bellingham, WA