<![CDATA[Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Off Topic Forum]]> http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:31:39 GMT vBulletin 60 http://cdn.cruisersforum.com/forums/../ugala/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Off Topic Forum]]> http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ Carbon Fiber - Not All Its Cracked Up To Be ... http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/carbon-fiber-not-all-its-cracked-up-to-be-33262.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:22:57 GMT YouTube - Horrific Bike Accident! Caught on Tape!!]]> YouTube - Horrific Bike Accident! Caught on Tape!! ]]> Off Topic Forum Stillraining http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/carbon-fiber-not-all-its-cracked-up-to-be-33262.html Segway Scooters on a Boat http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/segway-scooters-on-a-boat-33176.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:39:55 GMT Hi :) Does anyone own a Segway? They are the electric scooters with two wheels side by side, a gyro keeps it balanced. I was looking into... Hi :)

Does anyone own a Segway? They are the electric scooters with two wheels side by side, a gyro keeps it balanced.

I was looking into buying a used one with side bags and was curious if any others have one or have looked into getting one for their boat to use when island hopping. ]]> Off Topic Forum Chipg http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/segway-scooters-on-a-boat-33176.html Mailboxes http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/mailboxes-33164.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:13:02 GMT Hi again. I have searched for other threads on this topic and can't seem to navigate the search engine here. So I apologize if this is a duplicate (I seem to remember a discussion years ago)...feel free to point me in the right direction.

For those of you out cruising, what services do you use for your mail and to establish your residency? I researched a few companies that provide mail services and a physical address and it seems expensive when you look at it yearly (several hundred $$). Maybe I have the wrong expectations?

Interested to see what companies you use and how you would evaluate them based on the services.

Thanks. ]]> Off Topic Forum Monica http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/mailboxes-33164.html Folding Bicycles http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/folding-bicycles-33129.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:15:42 GMT My husband and I are considering buying some folding bicycles. I've heard mixed reviews...anyone care to share their experiences? Are they worth the money? Which brands are most comfortable and hold up the best? Are they as practical as they sound?

Thanks. ]]> Off Topic Forum Monica http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/folding-bicycles-33129.html Old Chippies http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/old-chippies-33088.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:14:07 GMT Good morning all
I'am cuious, are there any old carpenters sailing around out there who
suplement there pension by doing the odd job here and there, at this
marina or at that beach or where ever. Sounds like a plan to me!

Furface:popcorn: ]]> Off Topic Forum Furface http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/old-chippies-33088.html Nurses Who Sail / Sailors Who Nurse :) http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/nurses-who-sail-sailors-who-nurse-33077.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:19:22 GMT I meet a lot of Nurses her at CF, thought it would be neat to start a thread and ask the Nurses to say "Hi".
I work in the operating room as a circulator, I hope to do some work as a volunteer as I cruise. It would be great to hear from nurses that have cruised and applied their skills to help in ports they visited.

Cheers,
Erika


PS. ** it is perioperative Nurses week, so Happy Nurses week to all :flowers:

PSS. a very nice couple from Galveston pm'd me and before I could reply I erased their message. So if you read this sorry I didn't reply! please pm me again. I am posting this here because one was a Nurse. ]]> Off Topic Forum Ocean Girl http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/nurses-who-sail-sailors-who-nurse-33077.html What Kind of People Do Ya Meet on Forums? http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/what-kind-of-people-do-ya-meet-on-forums-33017.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:27:38 GMT Some of the best friends you could find. One of mine, whom everybody knows as Stillraining or Scott, has been letting me use his magnificent man-cave... Some of the best friends you could find. One of mine, whom everybody knows as Stillraining or Scott, has been letting me use his magnificent man-cave shop to do woodwork for Oh Joy. I was posting about how I need to get a bandsaw at the shop for finish fitment work and woke up to this email titled
Saturday is Christmas".

Hey I just bought you a band saw to use...I pick it up tomorrow night...lets get you both it and the jointer delivered up to your boat shed Saturday...

Here's the saw...

Craftsman Band Saw

How amazing is this ]]> Off Topic Forum CharlieCobra http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/what-kind-of-people-do-ya-meet-on-forums-33017.html New to Sailing - Need Anchoring Advice http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/new-to-sailing-need-anchoring-advice-33012.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:15:53 GMT Newbie here,

I am looking to buy a sailboat (33') that we can stay on for the weekends but large enough to take some week long cruises. I have had motor boats my whole life but want to slow down a bit. I live just south of Raleigh, NC and my home port is Wrightsville Beach, NC. I am wondering if this is too much boat for my first sail or not???

Alos we have a lot of sailboats anchored in the harbour and I was wondering if they normally charge to anchor there or not. The boat that I am looking at has a dinky so I was going to get on the hook and just pull around to get fuel, water, etc. when we use the boat.

any advice would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Rick ]]> Off Topic Forum Rickwig http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/new-to-sailing-need-anchoring-advice-33012.html Visa or Visa Waiver? http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/visa-or-visa-waiver-32978.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:22:51 GMT My wife and I have decided we need a 12 – 18 month break from the rat race in the not so distant future (1 – 2 years) and cant think of a better way... My wife and I have decided we need a 12 – 18 month break from the rat race in the not so distant future (1 – 2 years) and cant think of a better way to do it than to put our limited but expanding sailing experiences to good use.

After initially researching the local (Australian) market for examples of suitable vessels, exploring the option of cruising the Australian coastline, price & vessel comparisons of overseas markets have tempted us to set our sights abroad with a very, very slow journey home in mind.

One possible source for us is the United States for various economic reasons and that language barriers won’t be a problem. What we would like is to hear from people that have traveled to the United States to purchase their vessel and some pointers as to what precautions and procedures we need to take in relation to entry requirements.

A recent situation caught my attention where the daughter of an Australian television personality was denied entry into the UK even though she, as I understand it had all the required documentation. I’m not certain of the exact circumstances surrounding this incident but we would like to take any precautions to avoid a similar situation.

I read in one thread that Mark J made mention of a problem he had upon entry into the US because he didn’t have a return flight out of the country and on another thread I noted mention of prospective boat buyers heading to the US would require a visa as the Visa Waiver Program would not apply in this situation.

Very basically, we intend to engage the services of a reputable broker to source a few potential vessels, make personal inspections, arrange test sails then acquire the services of an independent surveyor.

Here is our dilemma based on our inexperience. From what I have established, to gain a visa we are required to make application for an interview (The interview itself once granted means considerable travel) and then the wait for a decision and then processing. This makes it a little difficult to have a timely personal inspection of potential vessels before signing a conditional contract prior to engaging the services of the surveyor. Would it be simpler (and acceptable) to just prepay for flights out of the US and enter on the Visa Waiver Program (and if so, wouldn’t some kind of itinerary also be required?) or is there a better option available?

The information I seek reeks of inexperience I know and I am aware that there are other avenues that I can (and will) explore however every journey or quest for knowledge has its origin and this forum is our stepping stone. ]]> Off Topic Forum Kelstev http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/visa-or-visa-waiver-32978.html Naked Sailboat http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/naked-sailboat-32959.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:17:55 GMT It was a sad day for me the other day. Boat at the dock, taking the sails and canvas off (the naked part), while it was 68 degress out. Just seems... It was a sad day for me the other day. Boat at the dock, taking the sails and canvas off (the naked part), while it was 68 degress out. Just seems all wrong and salt into the wound of putting the boat in storage. Would have gone out for a few hours if I hadn't laid up the engine the day before.

:(

Is it May yet? ]]> Off Topic Forum Don Lucas http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/naked-sailboat-32959.html Veterans Day Greetings to all Vets http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/veterans-day-greetings-to-all-vets-32957.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:50 GMT Yesterday was the birthday of the USMC, my alma mater, born 234 years ago at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia on Nov. 10, 1775. I'd like to take this opportunity to give a shout out for all us Vets who've seen combat and lived to tell the tale (tho' most don't) and especially to those who didn't make it.

I'd also like to say, I've learned a few things about the way this country uses its military, and find myself in agreement with the former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Maj.Gen. Smedley Butler, the most decorated Marine in history. They don't teach this in schools so you have to learn it through experience.

Quote:
“War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.


I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.

I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.
Smedley Darlington Butler (July 30, 1881 – June 21, 1940), nicknamed "The Fighting Quaker" and "Old Gimlet Eye", was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps and, at the time of his death, the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. ]]> Off Topic Forum speakeasy http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/veterans-day-greetings-to-all-vets-32957.html A Shamless Plug for Forums and Bloggers http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/a-shamless-plug-for-forums-and-bloggers-32932.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:57:21 GMT These folks put a lot of effort into maintaining sites and providing content. The only reward they get, beyond kind words (which are very nice and... These folks put a lot of effort into maintaining sites and providing content. The only reward they get, beyond kind words (which are very nice and appreciated) are pennies from the Google ads you see above and in margins.

The key thing is this: they don't get paid for just having the ads there; visitors like you need to click on ads.

It is a nice way to say "thank you" to the administrators and bloggers.



Disclosure: I am not affiliated with this forum; I do have a blog; I am plugging for ALL of the forums and bloggers out there. There are interesting products in the ads, and only recently did I realize there is a good reason to look at some of them; to support forums like this and fellow bloggers. ]]> Off Topic Forum thinwater http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/a-shamless-plug-for-forums-and-bloggers-32932.html Say Hello by Video http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/say-hello-by-video-32833.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:27:20 GMT Hi Folks,

After seeing Del's video I wondered if it might be kinda fun to say hello by video.

Here is just a little bit of us :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfLhpFDF9ng
Sea Life in Malaysia - featuring Todays Project!!!!!!


Could we see you too?

Mark ]]> Off Topic Forum MarkJ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/say-hello-by-video-32833.html German Coast Guard Mayday Video http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/german-coast-guard-mayday-video-32799.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:51:02 GMT http://www.tenayatravels.com/files/Germans.mpeg]]> http://www.tenayatravels.com/files/Germans.mpeg ]]> Off Topic Forum jim_thomsen http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/german-coast-guard-mayday-video-32799.html <![CDATA[Westsail Children's Story]]> http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/westsail-childrens-story-32798.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:36:04 GMT *Brave Little Satori* Once upon a time there was a kind old man named Bud. Bud made beautiful boats. He made big strong motor boats. He made fast... Brave Little Satori
Once upon a time there was a kind old man named Bud. Bud made beautiful boats.
He made big strong motor boats. He made fast boats. But Bud was not happy. He wanted to build a special boat. A quiet and beautiful sailboat that he could love just like his own child.

One day, Bud went into his workshop and began to work furiously, day and night, night and day. All of the people in the village crowded outside the workshop door to listen in wonder to all of the strange noises. Clinkety clink, clankety clank, whhiirrr! Bonk! They were so excited and squirmy and just couldn’t wait to see the new boat that Bud was building.

Day turned to night and night turned to day, and back to night again. Still Bud worked. Finally the day arrived when Bud had finished. He had created his most beautiful sailboat ever! He hugged his little boat and said “I will call you Satori Westsail, and you are the strongest and the most beautiful boat I have ever made!” “You make me proud little Satori.”
With that, Bud flung open the heavy wooden doors wide so all of the people could see his wonderful sailboat. “Hi everybody!” said Satori. “Let’s go sailing!”

At first no one made a noise. Then there was heard a gasp! And then a giggle. And then everyone in the village began to laugh so hard that their tummies hurt. “He’s so small,” a man said laughing so hard he almost choked. “What good is a tiny boat like that?” asked a gruff old fisherman. “Why, the ocean will squash him flat with the first big wave!”

The people went back to their homes happy for having had such a good laugh. But little Satori was miserable. He stayed in the workshop and cried. When Bud saw him crying he asked “ Why is my strong little Satori crying?” Satori sobbed, “because everyone laughed at me and said that I was too small and too slow and that the ocean waves would smash me to pieces!”
“Nonsense, little Satori,” said Bud. Bud was very sad for his little sailboat so he told Satori a secret that no one else knew… that he had built Satori with a heart, and that was what made him stronger and braver than any sailboat he had ever built before.

Bud carried little Satori out to the ocean and placed him gently in the water. At first Satori was quite frightened and wouldn’t move. The other boats were racing past him, splashing water all over him and circling and laughing. But Satori had a secret and so he held his head high and proud and thrust his bow forward into the waves as they sailed out of the harbor. Big strong fishing boats flew past him in a hurry to catch fish. Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! The power boats sped past Vrooom! Swoooosh! and drenched him in water! Look! They shouted, it’s little Satori wet snail! Satori wished they would play with him but they only laughed.


Summer turned to fall and Satori sailed and sailed, but still the other boats wouldn’t play with him. He sailed when it was sunny and he sailed when it was cloudy. He sailed when it was windy and he sailed when it was not so windy. Satori was especially happy when the wind blew very, very hard because then his sails would fill up and he could sail very, very quickly. He felt strong and galloped happily over the waves. He didn’t understand why all of the other boats would run back to the safety of the harbor just when the wind was getting good.

One dark and cloudy morning Bud came out of his workshop to see that all of the village people had gathered at the dock and were looking quite worried. “What’s the trouble my friends?” asked Bud. A woman cried, “The biggest storm in a hundred years is coming this way and our boats are in the path of the storm!” Bud knew that little Satori was sailing that day but he was not worried because Satori had a heart and that made him a very strong and brave sailboat.

Later, the wind began to howl and howl! The rain struck the ground with a heavy slap! The waves in the ocean grew and grew until they were as tall as a house! One by one boats began to come home. Some came home hurt and frightened. A very big sailboat who had splashed poor little Satori and had been especially cruel had a hole in her hull from the waves bashing her into the rocks. She was not strong enough to fight the waves and wind to claw off the rock and so she had to be rescued. A fishing boat came limping into the harbor with the north wind screaming behind him. But there was no sign of Satori.

Little Satori was far out to sea when the storm began and now he saw that the cold dark waves were even taller than he was! The waves grew to enormous heights and with all of their might they tried to knock Satori down. The raging wind threatened to tear up his sails and blow him into the rocks on the shore! “Ha Ha Ha! shouted Satori. “I am Satori Westsail and you can’t hurt me because I have a heart, and I am the strongest and bravest boat you will ever see! With that he threw himself at another wave and felt alive as he had never felt before.
The storm ended as storms always do and Satori, tired from his battle with the sea, found himself a nice sandy beach on which to rest. When the people went looking for him, that is exactly where they found him: on the beach, all rested up.

When they returned to the harbor they discovered the sad fact that many of the big boats had been hurt during the storm, and even worse, some of them were never heard from again. It was a very sad day in the village.
But then as little Satori danced across the waves into the harbor, full of life and happiness, the village people were amazed that this tiny sailboat they had called the wet snail had survived such a terrible storm. And without a scratch! All of the people cheered and clapped as Satori sailed past. “That’s the bravest, strongest boat I’ve ever seen” they exclaimed. Kind old Bud watched all of this from his workshop on the hill, and slowly, a smile began to crease his old weathered face, and he said …“you make me proud little Satori. You make me proud.”

Written by Eric
Edited by Leslie ]]> Off Topic Forum virginia boy http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/westsail-childrens-story-32798.html