We have been back and forth between l.) 2 50 cc mopeds--the big advantage is no where in the world have we been required to have a motor cycle licsence. In Europe the Calif. Registration, even though expired was accepted, and an additional tag which said "tender to Yacht Locura" was attatched. 2.) an 80 CC trail 90. The pros and cons: The two allow each of us to do seprate shopping items. If there is a problem with one, then the other can be used to get help. the 50's weigh about 110 pounds and were fairly easy to get aboard with a halyard or in and out of the dinghy. The 50's were too small for two people to travel at an acceptable speed. The 80 was heavier: close to 200 pounds. It did carry two easily. Either a single person on the 50 or 2 on the 80 would go about 45 MPH top speed. This was certainly adequate. The trail 80 has an auxilary gas tank and a range of about 200 miles. the 50's range were about 80 miles. the Trail 80 was far superior off road, especially with a 2 range gear box. Both of these units had manual transmissions. We also briefly had a trail 50: too heavy, too low for my 6'2" frame. My close friend, who is now on the last 1/3 of his 3rd circumnavigation has tried them all and settled on a 250 Suzizzi. Reason: he is an experienced rider and feels safer with the more H P. He also rides the freeways and autobahns--something we did not do. Also the top speed of the 250 is about 80 MPH. The down side is that one of his close friends (a couple) were nearly killed on a very remote Turkish road on their last trip around. That couple had over 30 surgeries and finally 4 years later returned to Turkey to resume their circumnavigation. The 250 is handled using a sailboat halyard and the anchor windless. We did arrange to use our Med Moor gang way to wheel the motor bikes we carried ashore. The 250 might be a little heavy for a light gang plank. Oh, the only problem I had, was when i wanted to fill a propane tank. The dealer (probably rightfully so) refused to fill the tank when he found out I was on a motor bike! I confess I lied and told him I would walk the bike to the boat. I walked it a block and then started it up...It was in a plastic crate, I felt safe taking back streets. I did get propane many other times without incident. But those of us who cross oceans are considered fools by some! Hope that these experiences help. Bob Austin Symbol 41 Pensacola, FL

>But those of us who cross oceans are considered fools by >some! >Hope that these experiences help.. > >Bob Austin >Symbol 41 >Pensacola, FL > Bob, I am constantly astonished everytime I hear about your voyages and your accomplishments. Here you are sitting back typing email about what 90% of us on this list are dreaming to do - or in my case actively planning! :-) However I am only planning to do about 1% of what you have done. Please entertain us on this dreary Sunday afternoon (I am in Chicago 1500 miles from my boat and my family and I don't know who I miss more). Where have you gone, and what boat took you there? Give us a "voyage-ography". How did you cross the Atlantic with the aforementioned motor bikes? Speaking of being considered a fool, every co-worker, friend of the family, brother, sister, or cousin considers my plan to leave everything and go from Chicago to Aruba at this "peak" of my life to be the height of lunacy. Everyone that is, except my trusty first mate and crew. Your friend, Jim Jim Baumgart <")))>>< (760)749-4257 San Diego