Types of motorboats
A speedboat is a small motorboat designed to move quickly. It is often used in races and for water skiing. Even inflatable boats and dinghies with a motor attached are classed as types of motorboats.

There are 3 popular version of motorboats, which are: inboard, inboard / outboard and outboard. If the engine is fitted within the boat, it’s called a powerplant. An outboard motor has a removable section attached to the boat.

Motor cruisers offer a range of amenities, depending on the number of passengers and the type of the cruising. They range from small vessels equipped with basic essentials for a short cruise to much larger holiday crafts complete with shower, cooker and sleeping accommodation.

Where to begin
All first time motorboat cruisers should have some form of training. As a rule, the larger the motorboat and the longer the journey, the greater the level of training is required.

Beginners can rent small vessels for a short cruise, without needing much training. This will help you understand the basic motorboat controls. Courses are available for beginners which cover the basic areas of handling the boat. The Royal Yachting Association offers three levels of courses, from a two day helmsman course offering basic boat handling, helmsmanship and engine maintenance to a five-day coastal skipper course.

A great way to start motorboating is to combine your motor boating course with a holiday, either in the UK or across the European mainland. A number of well known activity holiday companies are RYA training centres and offer courses with certificates.

Where to use your motorboat
Motorboating is the perfect way to explore Britain’s many rivers ‘the Norfolk Broads, the Yorkshire dales, the historic city of York and the River Thames.

You don’t need to limit cruising to the UK. Many European countries offer an interesting waterway journey.

Motor boating can be a fun and relaxing pastime. Unlike sailboats, there is no need to wait for the right wind conditions before setting sail.

Related guide on Selling A Boat Online classifieds of Boats For Sale from TheYachtMarket.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_White

How To Use Speed Boats: Understanding Speed Boat Controls

Big Creek should not be run until after the spring run off. Because the creek is so narrow with many twist and turns, plus log jams it can make running this creek in fast water very dangerous.

If you access the creek at Front rd. you can paddle up stream or down stream, there is very little current after the spring run off, but is still plenty deep enough that you may see the odd small fishing boat or sea-doo in the lower part of the creek.

As you paddle upstream from the Front rd. access point or downstream from the second concession you will be surrounded by thick Carolinian Forest and small marshs off to the side for you to explore.

Downstream from Front rd. the creek gets wider as it heads into Big Creek Marsh. Cross straight across the marsh to hwy.59 at Long Point you can park a second vehicle here. From the second concession to hwy. 59 takes about 2-3 hours.

Black Creek can also be paddled upstream against the slow current, after the spring run-off.

I like to access the creek just below the lift bridge in Port Dover. There is a public parking lot on the west side of the creek.If you go down stream from here it will take you into the harbor and out into lake Erie. Water in the harbor can be very choppy from the boats coming and going.

As you go upstream under the lift bridge you will go past the Port Dover Yacht Club where you will see many beautiful yachts and sail boats. Also there are some old fishing trawlers wrecks sitting along the side of the creek.After the Yacht Club you go past some beautiful homes backing onto the creek.

As you past the last home the creek turns to the left, and opens up to a large marsh area.Past the marsh the creek narrows again, and carries on past Black Creek Conservation Area. This can also be used as your access point.

If water levels are low you may only be able to go a little farther after the bridge, but when they are up you can still go for a while. In the fall of 2008 I was able to go about an other half hour past the conservation area.

This is an excellent route to take for novice paddlers, we even took our two year old granddaughter on this trip. From the lift bridge in Port Dover to the conservation area and back takes about two hours. And last but not least my favorite paddling spot is the Nith River. The Nith is tributary of the Grand River running from New Hamburg to Paris.

If you are into white water paddling then this river is excellent to run with the spring run-off. Just after the run off there is still a good flow of water with some grade lll rapids.

Once the river drops to its normal level it can be run by novice paddlers. The river can be access at most bridges between New Hamberg and Paris. Most bridges are about two to three hours apart. This river can not be run upstream, as the water flow is to fast. You will need to plan your put ins and take outs.

My usual trip is from the put in just upstream from the bridge in Canning down into the Grand finishing at Optimist Park in the south end of Paris. There are some very nice sections of this river up stream too.All you need to do is pick a put out spot, park a vehicle and go back up stream a few bridges and put in.

The reason this is my favorite river is because it does not get a lot of traffic on it. Many times I have gone down the Nith and not see another person from put in to put out. Plus there is a lot of wild-life along the river. It is not unusual to see deer, muskrat, and beaver

You can get canoe and kayak rentals at Grand Experiences in Paris. So you have three great spots to go canoeing or kayaking if you are planning to visit South Western Ontario, or you live in S.W.O. and don’t want to travel a long distance to go for a paddle. I hope this is helpful to you.

I spend much of my spare time Kayaking and Canoeing. I’ve paddled many of the rivers and lakes in Ontario. If you would like to learn the basics and beyond of kayaking follow this link http://www.squidoo.com/learntokayak

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Leroy

To get the card, boaters must pass a 36 question, multiple-choice exam with a 75% passing grade, a temporary card can be printed immediately upon passing, the permanent card is mailed and is good-for-life.

Boaters may also take a safe boating classroom course where they will learn the boating basics and also get certified upon passing the exam.

Common misconceptions about this law are that children must be 16 yrs to get certified and that seniors over 65 yrs don’t require the card. This law applies to boaters of all ages; there are no age exemptions or minimum age to get certified. Others think that you don’t need the card if your motor is less than 10 horsepower, but in fact it’s needed to operate any size motor, even an electric motor on a canoe for example.

Your sailing venues expand quite a bit when you can simply drive your boat to a new horizon and set it up in a different body of water that could take many days to otherwise reach. If your trimaran is large enough so that you can use it for overnight camp/cruising adventures then you can easily pull into any private inlet, tranquil lagoon or secluded alcove. Speaking of camping … the crossbeams, which support the floats, can prove themselves to be very useful in this regard. The main reason is because trampolines (attached to these crossbeams) are usually a standard feature on many models of small trimarans. The trampolines, also referred to as "the tramps" or "the nets" provide space for comfortable seating, lounging, eating, or sleeping. Some campers even set up their tents on the nets so they won’t have to sleep on hard sand or dirt.

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If the boat is taken out a little farther from shore then the nets become a useful and spacious platform for fun activities. In effect, the "deck area" of even a small boat is substantially increased by having trampolines attached to the crossbeams. For instance, they’re often used for swimming, diving, fishing, crabbing, watching marine life up close (such as dolphins), snorkeling or just getting a suntan.

With these features, small trimarans can save you a bit of money too. If you regularly trailer your boat then you won’t have to pay mooring or docking fees because your sailboat can be kept in your driveway at home. And if you take it to different places to go sailing, then a smaller model can be pulled by a fuel efficient mid-size car or truck.

A trailerable boat will also require less maintenance costs than boats kept at a dock. You won’t need to be concerned about shelling out money for special, chemical cleaning solutions for the boat’s hulls. All you have to do is rinse off your trimaran and sails off at home with clean water after each use in order to keep most everything clean.

Joe Farinaccio blogs about small trimarans. He recently posted pictures of a famous small trimaran named Magic Hempel, which was actually the forerunner to the modern Dragonfly trimarans at http://www.smalltrimarans.com/Magic-Hempel-Small-Trimaran.html For more information and occasional small tri related downloads, visit SmallTrimarans.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Farinaccio

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Do your Homework The first step in performing a Wide Open Throttle Test is to identify the Recommended Operating Range for your engine. It will be a band of RPMs specified by the engines manufacturer. It should be published in your Owner’s Manual. If you can’t find it there, your engine dealer, or manufacturer should be able to provide you with this information. Hit The Water The next step is the to take your boat out on the water where you can safely run at full throttle. Take your boat to full throttle watching your RPMs. If your engine doesn’t exceed the maximum recommended RPMs, make several test runs, adjusting the trim for your best performance. Note the Wide Open Throttle RPMs on each run. If it looks like you will reach your maximum recommended RPMs before you reach full throttle, don’t exceed the maximum recommended RPMs. Estimate where you think the RPMs would get to if you did hit full throttle. Make a note of the RPMs. Do the Math Selecting your boat prop is sort of like choosing a single gear to run your car in. The size and pitch of your prop will have a direct impact on the number of RPMs your engine can turn. A prop with too little pitch can allow your boat to operate above the maximum recommended operating range and could lead to engine damage or unsafe conditions.

A prop with too much pitch may keep you from reaching the most efficient operating range for your motor, causing performance and fuel consumption to suffer. The results of your Wide Open Throttle test will help you narrow your prop selections to the best options for your boat and motor. Within that selection, you can choose the options that will give you better hole shot, or improved top end speed, depending on how you use your boat.

If your actual RPMs allowed you to reach the upper portion of the recommended operating range without exceeding the upper limit, then your current prop is a good option and you have a solid baseline to make performance oriented prop change decisions.

If you couldn’t reach the upper end of your recommended operating range, we will want to subtract the actual RPMs you reached from the maximum RPMs in the recommended operating range. For example, if the maximum recommended RPMS are 5000 and your actual wide open throttle RPMs were 4600, then 5000-4600=400.

We will want to try a prop that has less pitch, which will increase the RPMs your engine can turn. A good rule of thumb is that decreasing pitch by 1" will increase RPMs by roughly 200. Given that we need to gain 400 RPMs, we will want to reduce our pitch by 2 inches. If we have a 16" pitch prop now, let’s try a 14" pitch prop.

The reverse is true if your engine can turn in excess of the recommended maximum RPMs. Say we estimated that at full throttle, our engine would have hit 5600 RPMs. Since our maximum RPMs are 5000, we want to reduce our RPMs by 5600-5000=600. Increasing pitch by 1" will reduce decrease RPMs by roughly 200. With our 16″ pitch prop, we will want to add 3" of pitch so we’ll consider a 19" pitch prop.

Armed with the results of your Wide Open Throttle Test, you’ll have good information to select a new prop to improve your performance. If your dealer has test props or allows exchanges, you can take your new prop selection, install it and run another Wide Open Throttle Test. You’ll know if you are in the right place and if you are getting the performance enhancements you were seeking.

About the Author: Loren Hadley writes for SavvyBoater, an on-line retailer specializing in providing boaters with great deals on popular and unique marine supplies. http://www.SavvyBoater.com offers Solas Propeller’s extensive line of Boat Propellers for sports and recreational boats. In addition to their handy Boat Prop Finder they offer a variety of expert articles to help you find the prop you’re looking for. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Loren_Hadley

The second level and final class you need to take to be get certified to charter a sailboat on your own includes the ability to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.

Once you pay the additional $675 and take the four-day class, you will receive this second level certification and become qualified to charter on your own boat.Remember, you must take the first level class to qualify.

When you’re looking for a place to take your classes, you’ll want to be sure it’s certified by a well know sailing school and/or association. You’ll also want to know that your trainers have the best background to train you. I would look for one of the oldest sailing schools in existence and who employs licensed Masters, Coast Guard Captains, and numerous international racers with years of experience that is in your area.

Once you have received your certification from the facility, you can charter a boat for your own trips. A whole world of possibilities and a beautiful bay ripe for exploration opens to you.

One important thing to note is that if you plan on spending a lot of time sailing, you will want to join a sailing club. For example, your first class would only cost $564 and the second would only cost $506. Right there, you would have already saved yourself a couple hundred dollars.

Plus, once you get on the water, being a club member will get you discount charter rates and half-day rates on weekdays. Drew Harper Spinnaker Sailing Pier 40, South Beach Harbor San Francisco, CA 94107 Tel: (415) 543-7333 Fax: (415) 543-7405 http://www.spinnaker-sailing.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Drew_Harper

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When it comes to inflatable kayaks are they all the same?
I say no, they are vastly different and in this article I’m going to try to outline some of the key differences. This information should help you when trying to make a purchasing decision. At the end of the day all inflatable kayaks are not the same and here are some of the reasons why.

First, when some people think of an inflatable kayak, they tend to think of one of those play toys for in the pool. This is not the type of inflatable kayak I’m referring to. I’m referring to quality inflatable kayaks that will last for many years and stand up to a ton of punishment. The basic difference in the quality kayaks that I’m referring to is what you intend on using said kayak for.

Do you want to lazily navigate your favorite lake or pond? Or do you want to float your favorite trout river?

Or are you the adventurous type who want to navigate class IV rapids?

By the way, yes you can use an inflatable kayak to shoot class IV rapids!

So, how do you know if you’re dealing with a quality inflatable kayak?
What you want to look for is that the manufacturer you choose offers things like money back guarantees and/or trial periods. These types of offers mean that the manufacturer stands behind their kayaks. This is vitally important when choosing an inflatable kayak, no matter which manufacturer you choose. Look for trial periods and/or money back guarantees and you’ll know that you’re dealing with a quality company, and thus kayak.

The next thing to consider is the kind of material that the kayak is made from. You want to look for denier polyester-supported high-pressure fabric with at least triple welded seams. The denier material is the key. This material is incredibly tough and what to look for when purchasing an inflatable kayak. Some manufacturers even have videos of their kayaks being hit with the claw end of a claw hammer, and not skipping a beat. This is the kind of toughness you want to look for.

When it comes to inflatable kayaks these are some of the things to look for. Are they the only things to look for?
Of course not, but they will help you make a much more informed decision. Purchase a quality inflatable kayak and it will last you for many years, heck I’ve had mine for more than 15 years. Make sure you purchase quality and everything will be alright.

Trevor Kugler is Co-founder of JRWfishing.com
Trevor has more than 20 years of fishing experience as well as 15 years of business experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country … Montana.
Inflatable Kayaks and Pontoons … – http://www.jrwfishing.com/boats.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler

When it comes to inflatable pontoon boats, it’s hard to find a better option than the FoldCat Boat. In this article I’m going to review and explain a little about what the FoldCat inflatable pontoon boat has to offer. This inflatable pontoon boat is the answer to many anglers’ dreams. The first thing I want to do is go over some of the reasons other inflatable pontoon boats are such a pain in the butt. They are very time consuming to assemble. They don’t have any type of "floor". They have more parts to put together than your kids new Barbie playhouse. In most cases your legs are in the water, rather than being above the water. The FoldCat boat is unique because not only is it assembled in five minutes, it also positions you above the water on platforms. You don’t have to wear waders with the FoldCat. You can wear whatever fishing clothes you choose, because getting wet is not necessary with the FoldCat inflatable pontoon boat. You are sitting on top of the water while fishing, just like with a traditional boat.

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This boat is truly a quality alternative to all of the high cost boats out there. The FoldCat is great for lake or river fishing, and can even be used while fishing your favorite trout stream. Its maneuverability is unsurpassed and its toughness is unparalleled. This is the type of boat that will last many years (heck, I’ve had mine for over 8 years!)

How do you know that all of this is true?

Well, obviously you don’t, which is why the manufacturer offers a trail period!

This way you know that the FoldCat Boat is the right boat for you. Oh yea, and in many cases they will give you free shipping as well. Any company that will stand behind their products with trial periods and free shipping is probably a company that you want to deal with.

When it comes to inflatable pontoon boats, you’ll be hard pressed to find one that offers more options and has more guarantees than this one. The FoldCat is probably the best inflatable pontoon boat on the market today. What, you don’t believe me? Good, do your research and find out for yourself. At the end of the day, I think you’ll come to the same conclusion. Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country … Montana! Get Fishing Tips & Techniques Twice A Month For FREE – http://www.jrwfishing.com/signup.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler

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If you are looking into saltwater fishing boats, you have quite a challenge in front of you. The reason for this is that there are so many companies making these boats nowadays that determining the best one to buy can be quite a hassle. In addition to this, there are so many different kinds of saltwater boats, ranging from aluminum, canoes, cabin cruisers, flat decks, etc, that choosing the right one can indeed turn into a nightmare. However, when you keep some important points in mind, this won’t be an issue, and you can find the best one immediately.

With that said, one of the first boats you should consider is the pontoon boat, because it is very easy to move around, and lasts a very long time. Typically, they are extremely useful for fishing, as if you can easily move it from one place to another, if you find the fishing to be lax in one spot and top notch in another.

Being able to move the boat easily is an essential thing to have in your fishing boat, and that’s what fishing pontoon boats can offer.

If you are an angler and want a boat that doesn’t weigh as much as some of the others, than a pontoon will probably meet your needs.

Also, you might consider inflatable saltwater fishing boats when buying saltwater fishing boats. These are always much cheaper than the regular boats, and are much simpler to get from your home to the water.

Just let the air out when you’re done fishing, and you can fit it into your trunk. You don’t have to worry about investing in a complex towing system or strapping it onto the rough-just let the air out and be done with it.

Also, all you have to do is attach a small motor onto it, and you generally only need about four horsepower, and sometimes less. The reason is quite simple-inflatable saltwater fishing boats obviously weigh much less than their aluminum, steel, and fiberglass counterparts, and therefore need much less power, and as a result, much less gas. You won’t break the bank at the pump with one of these boats, that’s a given.

How much can you expect to pay for one of these machines? Typically, depending on the kind you want to buy, you can shell out anywhere from thirty to just over four hundred dollars, and either way, you are getting a huge savings from a regular boat ,and much more versatility. I’d highly recommend inflatable saltwater fishing boats, as the benefits they offer you are enormous. Want to improve your fishing skills? For more info on saltwater fishing boats, check out internetfishingtips.com, a popular site that reviews fishing locations and equipment, the best places to play fishing games online, and much more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Harris

Anatomy of an Anchor
To get an idea of how each anchor type works we must know each of its parts and functions. The shank is the stem of the anchor in which direction is pulled to set (bury) the anchor. The crown connects the various parts of the modern anchor. The stock turns the anchor into an attitude that enables the flukes to dig into the sea bed. The optional tripping ring is used for tripping with a separate line, allowing the anchor to break out. The flukes will be buried into the seabed. The very tip of a fluke is sometimes called the bill.

Traditional Types of anchor
There are 6 main types of anchor. They are the Fisherman, the Claw or Bruce, the Plow or Plough, the Fluke, the Grapnel and Mushroom. Each of these families has many anchors that relate to the basic design principle. For example the Plow type named because it acts like a farmers plow, has the CQR and Delta which belong to this anchor family.

Fisherman
The fisherman is a traditional design and is often seen on the bows of old Sailing Ships like HMS Victory. The design is a non-burying type of marine anchor, and grabs rocks with one arm penetrating the seabed and the other standing proud. It has a good reputation for use in rock, kelp, and grass. However its holding power to weight ratio is among the worst of all anchor types.

The primary weakness of the anchor design is its ability to foul the cable over changing tides. One of the Fishermans arms can catch the anchor Rhode or cable and accidentally trip the anchor. It is difficult to handle and bring aboard without scarring the topsides and does not stow well in an anchor roller.

The Fisherman is best suited for rocks, and kelp bottoms, but not good holding in sand or mud. The Fisherman has arms which lodges themselves in a rock bed, or as in grass and kelp, the arms allow the anchor to penetrate through the kelp.

Modern examples of fisherman type anchors include; Luke Storm Anchor, kedge and Navy.

Bruce/Claw
The Bruce anchor was designed by Peter Bruce back in the 1970s. The Bruce also known as the Claw. Claw-types set quickly in most sea beds and although not an articulated design, they have the reputation of not breaking out with pull direction, instead slowly turning in the bottom to align with the force.

They offer a fairly low holding power to weight ratio and generally have to be over-sized to compete with other types. On the other hand they perform relatively well with low rode scopes and set fairly reliably. The traditional Claw anchor has rounded flukes.

The Claw Anchor showed poor performance in the many anchor tests, which are attributed to the anchor failing to dig in, due to the rounded flukes. The Rocna Spade and Supreme anchors faired much better and many anchor tests. The Rocna Spade and Supreme anchors and are among a new breed of anchor with roll bars and/or pointed tips.

Claw anchors are best suited for sand and muddy bottoms where the design can dig in. Claw types boat anchors have difficulty penetrating weedy bottoms and grass, tending to float over weed and kelp rather than digging in.

Modern examples of claw type anchors include; Bruce, Claw, Rocna, Spade, and Supreme

Plow or Plough
The plows holding power over a wide variety of bottom types, makes it a top choice of cruising boaters, named for its similarity to the farmers plow. When dropped in the water, a plow often lands on its side. However when pulled by the ground tackle, the Plow buries itself. Its shape allows it to reset fairly easily should the wind or tide shift the boat position.

Many manufacturers produce a plough-style design, all based on or direct copies of the original CQR the Coastal Quick Release. The CQR design has a hinged shank, allowing the anchor to turn with direction changes rather than breaking out, and also arranged to force the point of the plough into the bottom if the anchor when it lands on its side. The more recent Delta uses an unhinged shank and a plough with specific angles to develop slightly superior performance.

Owing to the use of lead or other dedicated tip-weight, the plough is heavier than average for the amount of resistance developed, and may take a slightly longer pull to set thoroughly.

Recommended for bottom surface; Works well on many bottom surface types. Sand, mud, and kelp grass.

Modern examples of Plow type anchors include; Delta, CQR Plow or Plough

Fluke
The fluke style anchor, named due to its large flukes, uses a stock at the crown to which two large flat surfaces are attached. The stock is hinged so the flukes can orient toward the bottom (on some designs the flukes angle can be optimized depending on the bottom type.)

The design is a burying variety, and once well set can develop an amazing amount of resistance. Its light weight and compact flat design make it easy to retrieve and relatively easy to store; some anchor rollers and hawse pipes can accommodate a fluke-style anchor. A few high-performance designs are available, such as the Fortress, which are lighter in weight for a given area and in tests have shown better than average results.

Once set, the fluke anchor tends to break out and reset when the direction of force changes dramatically, such as with the changing tide, and on some occasions it might not reset but instead drag.

The fluke is recommended for sand and muddy bottom surfaces. The fluke anchor has difficulty penetrating kelp and weed-covered bottoms, as well as rocky and particularly hard sand or clay bottoms. If there is much current or the vessel is moving while dropping the anchor it may float over the bottom due to the large fluke area acting as a wing.

Examples of Fluke Anchor types; Fortress Danforth and Guardian

Grapnel
The grapnel style is simple to design and build. The design is a non-burying variety, with one or more tines digging in and the remainder above the seabed. In coral it is often able to set quickly by hooking into the structure. A grapnel is often quite light, and used aboard smaller boats where its weight makes it relatively easy to bring aboard.

The Grapnel is sometimes difficult to retrieve. Grapnels rarely have enough fluke area to develop much hold in sand, clay, or mud. It is not unknown for the anchor to foul on its own rode, like the fisherman, or to foul the tines with refuse from the bottom, preventing it from digging in. It is quite possible for this anchor to find such a good hook that, without a trip line, it is impossible to retrieve.

Mushroom Anchors
Mushroom anchors work best in soft muddy bottoms, where they can create suction which can be difficult to break. Recommended for small boats to use as a lunch hook, but not practical for larger boats.

Conclusion
I read somewhere a question from a new boater who asked if they needed an anchor. The answer is yes you do its required by law in many places and it can be one of the first pieces of emergency equipment you’ll need. Whether you sail up a river, or cross oceans an anchor is an essential piece of gear.

When choosing which anchor is best for you, consider the important factors are reliability to set, holding power, veering and damage/storing. Which bottom surface do you need your anchor to work in? How big a boat are you operating? Are you fishing or riding out a storm?

This article will give you a guide to the various types of anchor old and new. Which types of anchor work in which bottom surface, is important to you. The good news is that the newer anchor technology appears to be working and from the anchor tests we looked at the new designs outperformed the tradition types.

In part 2 of anchoring, we provide information on ground tackle & anchoring techniques to help you stay anchored in challenging conditions.

More on this and other newsletters at http://myboatsgear.com/newsletter/200788.asp where Mike Hobson is the editor.

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