Boat Forum / Cruising / January 2004

I've finished intstalling and programing my new DSC capable VHF. I'm reading
through some of the features and find mention of MariTEL DSC Telephone Call,
send and receive.. What is this??
I understand that the old High Seas Marine Operate service went away about 8

I have had the opportunity to see the "Green Flash at Sunset" twice.  Once
in the Bahamas and again in the South Pacific, before arriving the Hiva Oa
in the Marquesas.  My question is, "have you seen that incredible sight?"!

Can anyone share their experience with the air-deck inflatables?  I'm
considering an upgrade this year and wondering if the extra expense is
worth it (looks like the main advantage is less weight).  I'm also
wondering if there's any sacrifice in durability.

After many yrs of being a cheapskate sailor sailing without the
expensive gadgets thayt many other ppl have, I now find myself able to
afford to buy some of the gadgets I used to shun.  All those yrs of
making do without has colored my thought processes so I naturally

Cruising over the weekend, came across a lovely spot called Cottage Point.
Stopped in at the Kiosk for the Sunday paper and some ice.  The two bags of
ice cost us $13.00!!!  When I politely questioned the proprietor he was
outright rude and offended that I should question his right ...

Anyone have a good way of testing 12V deep cycle batteries?
What I was figuring on doing was using a 50watt 12V lightbulb and measuring
voltage with time.  The only problem is that this may take a few hours.

I may be doing a delivery from Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC.  I would
appreciate any advice.  I am familiar with the San Juans, but I have
not been further south.  Especially interested in whether the
Swinomish Channel makes any difference in time?

Can one cruise up the CT River from LI Sound in a powerboat that draws
four feet? And, if so, how far up can one go without portaging? Do you
have to go really slow?
Information, ideas on good reads, or advice would be appreciated.

i would like to add a video camera on to my cpmy, to keep tabs on people
using the cockpit while underway, and for backing in to slips.
i have a furmo 1833c navnet, which will accept a video feed.
where can i find information on these cameras.

If you've read some  of my previous posts, you may know that I've been
trying to find an economical trailerable displacement hull cruiser to do
mainly river and canal cruising.  I used an old Venture 25 last summer and
it worked fine but it was just too cramped. We are going to sail ...

I am advised to flush a raw-water cooling system on a Yanmar 2GM with fresh
water. I have a couple of questions on execution to any kind soul that can
offer some advice.
I'm thinking of running a dock hose down and hooking it up to the hose

I bought a Whitby 42 last June and she has water, fuel and dirt in the
center fuel tank.  This tank is located in the keel with an access
plate almost under the motor.  I sucked out everything that I could
but the tank is fare from usable.

Is there a federal "documentation-registration" vs provincial
registration like the US doc and state reg?
Is it possible to change flags without physically taking the boat into
Canada?

I've been a contented user of The Capn since ver. 4.3 up to 6.1 (upgrading
each time the card comes).
However, the latest upgrade would require that I move to a more power full
laptop computer (I suspect, because of the Mosaic crap and SoftCharts).  Now

Is there any vendor of chart packs or books for Canadian charts ?
I am thinking of the equivalent of the big books that cover Maine to
Portland or Portland to Boston..