Boat Forum / Cruising / December 2003

I need replacement portlights - plastic, bendable, vinyl framed,
polycarbonte glazing.
They have to be custom made.  Anybody know where I can find an outfit that
does these?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all!
I'm in the process of setting up a single line reefing system for 2
reef points all leading aft.  I have the main idea of how i'm going to
set it up but was wondering if anyone could post a picture or 2 of

I am interested in crusing the west coast of Mexico, in the Gulf of
California, on a trailerable boat.  Does anyone have any suggestions or
recommendations.  ANY information would be appreciated, as I know nothing
about this destination.  Thanks.

I use to be a Purest but as time goes by and my brains cells absorb more and
more fiberglass fumes, I have slipped to Traditionalist..
With that said, I'm find that I'm lossing track of verious nautical terms
and methods.

I need a consignment or used sailboat parts store in NJ, NY or CT.  Any
suggestions?  

I am in the market for new winches and I have  been told to look at Andersen.
I have used Lewmar in the past and have been very satisfied but the MO on
Lewmar is that they aren't what they used to be especially on the service/parts
end.

As promised, here's what's up with us.  This won't be the last travel we do,
but we expect it *will* be the last research travel we do.  As a quickie
review, in frustration at not being able to fit on virtually any of the
about 80 boats we'd boarded out of the first more-than-100, ...

I'm really attracted to the Walker Bay 8 as a dink that appears
sufficiently small to fit inverted on the foredeck of my little Hunter
310, and light enough to possibly be able to man-handle on-and-off
without using a jury-rigged harness.

Really useful for cruisers would be cheap price, reasonable quality
night vision. I don't buy $300 or $700 binocs and wouldn't consider
those $$$ for night vision either. I see Harbor Freght has one at $69
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45372

I don't know much about this part of the Gulf Coast but it's on my list of
possible spots to relocate to or have a winter moorage..  (I may try my hand
at some 'snow birding')..
Is this 'safe haven', or how far away would I have to go for a year round

Can anybody tell me about the "Discovery 32' is it fit for cruising?, I'm
looking at one that apparently has been from Vancouver Island to Australia
and back 16 years ago but can't find the old owner, I woul be happy for any
info about this model.

My 1988 Bayliner 2556 Flybridge with GM 350 and OMC cobra stays trimmed up
with the motor constantly running even with the control switch in the middle
(off) position.
I filled the reservoir and it worked for 1 day,  but it started doing it

Well, I got a nice little Christmas present, a pair of Motorola T4500 FRS
(or so I thought) radios. Seems that these broadcast on both the FRS (Family
Radio Service) channels and the newer GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
frequencies.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!
In 26 languages too!
Catalan          Bon Nadal
Chinese         (transliterated) Sheng dan kuai le

We replaced all the through-hulls on my Islander 29 with new bronze
through-hulls and bronze/stainless ball valves.  The threads on the
through-hulls were straight threads, while the threads on the ball
valves were tapered [pipe] threads.  As a consequence the ball valves