For ramps, I like Fort DeSoto. Great sailing aera, 11 really nice very wide ramps. Safe spot, $5.00 a day parking. Maybe too far from where you want to be though.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

It looks like the anchoring laws have changed for the better in Florida. Take a look at this Boat US article.

http://www.boatus.com/gov/GA005FLAnchoring.pdf

Trapeze: Can you leave your boat in the water there for say a weekend ? My boat is in Montreal at the moment (freezing my butt) Yes you can anchor near the park, it is a very quiet anchorage. Looks like a good place to take my family for spring break this year. What about anchoring in the park or n...

My sailing ground is on the west coast. I launch out of Fort DeSoto http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm An 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks. A 238-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dr...

ETA: Oops - my bad. It looks like a swinging door to port of the companionway, so I guess that's where they put the head/shower According to Eric, the head and shower are there, behind the swing door as you noted. It is quite large. The space aft of the head/shower is a sail locker, also large. As ...

The keel with bulb and the rudders are on a dagger (retractable), you should be able to beach it with them all the way up, or am I mistaken? I’ll ask the builder.

My work has brought me to Montreal for the next few years. Today while visiting a potential vendor for rigging parts, (Precourt Systems) I mentioned to the owner that I sail and had brought my Mac 26 X with me to Montreal. Eric asked if I would like to see his prototype trailer sailor. Sure. He brin...

Duane,

Pardon my ignorance. What am I missing with my set up. What information should I be getting out of the wheel, and what do you do with this information? As this is my first sailboat, the hydraulic steering is all I know.

Scott

The PO installed a Seastar (Teleflex marine) hydraulic steering system in my 96 26x. It is all I have known so I have nothing to compare it to. It steers like a dream and will hold whatever position I leave it in.

I received my Auto inflatable PFD in the mail today. I am pleased with it. It is an SOSpenders brand sold by West Marine. Spcifically SOSpenders 38AS HAR I cannot find it on the west marine site, so it must be old stock. The bobbin has a date of September 05, so I have 7 months before a change. The ...

Captain Steve,

Please help educate me. How are the Sentinel and the 4000 different? What are the pros and cons?

Scott

I can buy this Garmin GPSMAP 168 sounder.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap168s/

for $235. It is a new in the box discontinued item.

I already have the bluechart cd, unlocked for my area.

Do you think this is worth it, or should I pass?

Scott

I got my money back today. I paid the return shipping, $4.90.

They were definitely not the type of hardware I would use on anything beyond ornamental.

Honest vendor though.

Scott

Despite my concerns about the vendor, I purchased the "Sentinel Automatic Inflatable Vest with Harness #3741196" I have been wanting a PFD like this for some time now. I think I will wear it more often then I do my present PFD. At $109.00 with shipping, it is a far cry from the best price ...

I am thinking about buying one of two harness / auto inflatable PFDs on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4612720298&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4000-Offshore-Sailing-Inflatable-PFD-Harness-6830269_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQc...