CARVER OWNERS CLUB
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September 2007

Headlines - Click on a Headline to see the Story

Stories

A number of people comment on our boat's name, IBIS, and the artwork that goes along with it.    Patsy and I designed the logo, but a talented artist named Norm Laker created it on the boat.  Norm used to paint the company logos and other artwork on the stacks of the large ships built in Baltimore.  When that business moved to the west coast, Norm bought a black suitcase, painted the Barnum and Bailey Circus logo on it, and went looking for new work with the suitcase as a sample of his work. 

His prices are reasonable, around $250 to $400 for a transom.  If you are interested, you can contact Norm through Anchor Bay East Marina at 410-284-1044. 

Seems a 1990 30' Sea Ray spontaneously caught fire at the dock and was eventually extinguished by the local fire companies after burning to the water line (no injuries). The staff at Bo Vista took the smoldering hulk over to the power lift and proceeded to try and lift it out.  Things did not go well, as you can see from the attached photos.  Spectators and workers had to run for their lives (no injuries).  The fire company left one truck there but had no hoses at the ready, so it burned the power lift rather severely while they deployed the fire fighting gear.

Boat fires are very difficult to fight successfully.  Would there be a value in better training and equipment for the fire companies that serve large marinas?  Do larger cities offer better fire fighting for boats? 

I received this story from at least 50 people.  Scott Gundaker sent it to me first.  In the off chance that you haven't seen it, let me point you toward the original.  For me, this raised more questions that answers.  First, why was anyone on-board during a move?  Second, why did they have to have the crane so high?  Third, why did the boat come up upside down?  Click here to see the story.

I've suggested using a laptop computer as a GPS/Chart plotter for several years.  The things that make the laptop appealing to me are the costs, the larger screen, and the additional functionality that a computer offers to you.  You can get a nice laptop with GPS software for less than $1000, with a 15" screen.  I've written a couple of programs that help me time the travel between timed bridge openings while going along the ICW.  I also like being able to choose from a variety of GPS formats, rather than being locked into one way of seeing things.

The hit against the laptop is the display.  Generally, the screen on the laptop is not really bright enough to see well on a sunny bridge.  Here are two solutions.  Jim Shilling ordered a Dell Latitude ATG (see attached specification sheet).  This offers a beautiful, full sun capable screen.  It is a bit pricey, but still well within the costs of a good chartplotter.  I've also successfully added external monitors on the bridge. This is a bit trickier, but much less expensive.  It's trickier because of the space needed for a 17" to 22" monitor. One friend bought a 22" Acer monitor for about $160.  I use an LG 17" monitor because of space considerations.  Both work well in the full sunlight of the bridge.

Now that we have the computer, we have some software to buy.  Jim Shilling (and others) use a product called Coastal Explorer.  Many coastal pilots, the pros in the boat navigation business, use this.  You can get more information from http://rosepointnav.com/CoastalExplorer/default.htm.  You may be able to download a trial copy to see what you think.  I've used and recommended Garmin BlueChart.  I like the presentation and the simple to use interface.  Garmin also lets you buy "regions" or areas where you regularly boat for very reasonable prices, around $100 per region.  However, recently I've discovered that I cannot add regions without upgrading the whole setup.  Since I use 5 regions, that about $500, an unreasonable amount.  I've also used MapTech successfully.  It's very inexpensive and looks like the paper charts on which they are based.  A good, economical choice.

If you are using a computer and other navigational software, let me know what you like and dislike.

Event News

We had a nice small group of boats at the Hard Yacht Cafe in Dundalk, MD on Bastille Day.  Who will ever be able to forget Ginger and I singing La Marseillaises as we walked down the dock.  Several people are trying to forget with intensive therapy and aversion training.  I understand that Ginger sang quite well - I am fighting the court injunction against my ever singing in public again.  We also found a nice crab restaurant up the creek at Dick's.  It was a pleasant, fun weekend where we mostly hung out.  Our thanks, too, to Cary and Carol who graciously let us have cocktails on their boat.

We are still planning a November 1 departure from Portsmouth to Florida along the ICW.  We have space for another boat, if you are interested.  We hope to meet with several members as we go south - let me know if you are interested and I'll give you an approximate date for when we will be in your area.

We are also planning a New Year's Eve Party in St. Augustine.  The New Year in the Old City.  I'll have more information later. 

I am receiving Event ideas for the new year.  While plans are still being completed, we have at least one event planned for each month from January to July next year.  In Florida, we are planning a Saturday Night Out for the Stuart area in February, probably around Valentine's Day.  Again, if you are interested in hosting an event, let me know.

Robert's article this month is a travelogue of Charleston, SC, titled Charming.  Since Robert lives in Charm City and he finds Charleston Charming, you may be charmed by reading his article.  You can read it by clicking here.