Finally got around to askin Unk for a key to this place. Thanks Unk!

Have missed most of yall and hope you're doing well.

I see the capn has moved to Cape Coral!! Florida sucks huh capn!! :-)

Life's been real hectic lately. JBT warned me last year about the travel ball circut. You're right JBT, one weekend you're in St Pete (a 4 1/2 hour drive to the Gulf Coast) and the next you're down in Ormond Beach (a 2 hour drive down the East Coast). Kids think it's the coolest thing in the world, while us parents are going broke! Oh well, small price to pay......

Again - helen, cin, Lars, JBT, Lon, Aunt Bee, Cherri, Maria, capnfun and all the rest I can't remember right now - hope life is good!

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 05, 2002

Answers

Well, don't let the door hit you in the nose on the way in. I hope you have something interesting to say, but as I recall you're too reasonable to be entertaining. Enjoy the place anyway.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), April 05, 2002.

Hey Deano, ole buddy, glad to see ya made it in~! Cool! Nevermind our resident curmudgeon, Flint! Maybe you can make it into chat some night! Glad to see you're still bein the good dad and keeping the team alive! I, for one, missed ya!

-- Aunt Bee (Aunt__Bee@hotmail.com), April 05, 2002.

Hello, Deano. Good to see you. :)

-- Stephen M. Poole (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), April 05, 2002.

Welcome back Deano! :o)

-- (cin@cin.cin), April 06, 2002.

Gee Flint, you used to be more entertaining when you made sense.

-- (you@dirty.repug), April 06, 2002.

It makes perfect sense. Flint likes to argue, and gets his jollies by "kicking the anthill". Or so he says.

-- and now back to sex sex sex (Slutty__Suzy@hotmail.com), April 06, 2002.

Hi Deano!

-- helen (off@to.work), April 06, 2002.

Deano,

Good to see you back. Just in time for baseball season too I see. I took over as manager for my son's Babe Ruth team this year. We had our draft on April 1st, an appropriate April Fool's joke given the way the draft turned out.

The Dodgers will start practice next week and I will need your advice as welost all of our pitching, 85% of our offense and a good portion of our defense. You tell me how you win with no pitching no hitting and a spotty defense. I have my theory I would be curious to hear yours.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), April 06, 2002.

Aw geeze. The neighborhood just went to hell.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), April 06, 2002.

JBT, if it is any comfort to your team, the ‘real’ Dodgers are in the same shape.

-- Send (mo@money.please), April 06, 2002.

Hey Deano, nice to see you return!

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), April 08, 2002.

Flint thinks I'm reasonable.....is that a good thing?? ;-)

JBT - Yes! That time of year again. The Bombsquad (I had nothing to do with that!) is standing at 4-5 now. We're taking on some of the better AAU teams in the state and taking our lumps. Not bad after a 0-3 start though!

Thanks for the welcome!

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 08, 2002.

JBT

Hopefully you have a young roster and will be able to develop some offense and pitching. We're certainly learnin the hard way....

Good luck!

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 08, 2002.

Hey ya Deano! Great to see ya!

Yeah, I finally made the trek. Ohhhhh yes, this really sucks...chuckle. it's been a s bit of a strange ride but I'm really enjoyin' every minute of it. Hope all is well with ya and if by chance opne of those road trips brings ya close to Ft Myers give me an E, I think ya could twist my arm into goin' and havin' a cold one or 6. : )

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), April 08, 2002.

"travel ball circuit", eh? Whatever happened to stick ball in da streets? In my day.............

Welcome back Deano. The natives are restless. More voices are needed.

-- (lars@indy.net), April 08, 2002.

Baseball...oh, right, that's some sort of a game where guys who aren't fit enough to play anything else jog around some base thingys isn't it?

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 08, 2002.

I always knew that you played the game Unkl.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), April 08, 2002.

Lars

Things have changed. In my day (too) it was sandlot ball. Now we're traveling to St Petersburg, staying in the Radisson and playing 4 games over 2-3 days. Things have definitely changed!

Yo Capn!

Welcome! We bought a little place on the Intracoastal in St Augustine Beach in January. I finally have ocean access in my backyard! Got the boatlift and dock but am missing one important ingredient - the boat. Been looking for one down in your area - seems boats go a little cheaper the further south ya go. Ya might be hearing from me soon.

Unk

We're planning a trip to the Sailfish at the end of the month. Stand me up this year and well, that'll be twice you've stood me up. No excuses this time!

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 09, 2002.

Deano,

What type of boat ya huntin'? Yeah, I'm dreamin' of the day when I have a backyard like yours, I guess for now I'll pretend the pool is the big pond and the raft is MYOT.

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), April 09, 2002.

Capn

Kinda got my eye on a 21' Hydra-Sport Deck boat (not a pontoon). 190 Mercruiser, seating for 9 and a fishing platform (best of both worlds). Draft is only 11 inches which is perfect for the ICW! Now that the wife has boat fever BAD, it could happen in the next couple months.

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 09, 2002.

Wait, it's not a Hydra-Sport, it's a Hurricane. Check it out at www.hurricaneboats.com. Just found out there's a Hurricane dealer right down the street at The Boat Tree!

Boat fever is a good thing!!

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 09, 2002.

Capn,

We went and did it.....again. Proud new owners' of this:

http://www.hurricaneboats.com/cf/gmfs_hurricane.cfm?modelName=fd201% 20o/b&modeltype=fundeck%20g

Sea-trial Thursday afternoon (there's a lot of buttons!!), takin' it to St Augustine Saturday morning with my son (he doesn't know about it)

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 09, 2002.

You went from "kinda got my eye on" to "proud new owner" in less than 1 day?

Naaah, you're not impulsive, not at ALL!

-- (salesman's@wet.dream), April 09, 2002.

Well....with the Greater Jax International Boat Show this weekend, prices are low. 'Specially on the 2001 models. They knocked over $9000 off the list price and then threw in over $1000 in extra's, plus they're gonna fill up the tank. It's exactly what we were looking for at a used boat price. They basically made an offer we just coudn't refuse.

Plus, my wife wanted it.....

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 10, 2002.

"Plus my wife wanted it" Now you're talking!

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), April 10, 2002.

Deano,

The link isn't working, what's the model number and is it the GS series or the Fundeck? What extras did ya get'em to throw in?

I would have been happy to give them an endorsement in exchange for a boat, all they had to do was ask!

I'm looking for my 1st boat now as well, though MYOT will probably resemble something from the Cuban boat floatilla and not nearly as spiffy as yours ; ) I'm looking for a 4 seater with a shallow draft, fitted with an electric motor and solar back- up panels.

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), April 10, 2002.

It's not quite a done deal just yet but we're getting there. Finding out that buying a new boat is a lot like buying a new car - no damn fun at all! I put a deposit down on it and that's as far as we've gotten. After having dinner and drinks with the salesman, sales manager and finance manager Tuesday night AND hearing them welcome us to 'The Boat Tree Family' a dozen times, I assumed it was a done deal.....yeah right.....

The model is a 2001 Fundeck 201 GS. 115 Yamaha 4cyl engine. They're throwing in a porta-potty, coast guard kit(anchor, life vests, flares, etc..), 17 gallon holding tank for freshwater sink, sunbrella (total boat cover for when it's in the lift) and 52 gallons of fuel to start me off.

It helps that the Jax International Boat Show is this weekend. Boat show prices are tough to beat any other time of the year.

Maria - uh, she is the boss.......;-)

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 11, 2002.

Ya know Deano, some would call that pussy whipped (I never understood that label). I just call it being smart. :)

When it finally becomes a done deal, enjoy your new toy. It sounds great!

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), April 11, 2002.

I reckon I may be a little pussy whipped at times. On the same note, she's somewht dick whipped too (I wasn't about to put 'a little' in front of that one!). Soul mates, or something like that......

I'm one of the lucky ones that actually got to marry his fantasy girl. Aaawwwww........

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 11, 2002.

115 Yamaha...excellent choice. Should be enough power unless you plan on hauling 8 people around. I myself would probably step up just a notch in horsepower but you got the best brand motor there is, IMHO.

My first boat was a 15 foot Pacer with a 90 horse Merc. That lil' thing absolutely FLEW! Had a lot of fun scarin the shit outta the Mrs with that one, heehee. I would get home from boating with a black and blue shoulder from where she would "punctuate" her requests for me to slow down.

Have fun with it Deano...and remember, the two happiest days in a boater's life are the day he buys the boat, and the day he sells the boat.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.

Thanks Unk! But honestly, I didn't choose the Yamaha, they come already loaded with it. But you're right, either that or the Honda O/Bs are supposed to be the best. I don't see more than 4 or 5 folks at a time on it. They say it'll do 35mph or so with 4 adults and a full tank. I don't need to go any faster than that on the water.

Had a boat and sold it a few years ago. Our canal up here in Jax just got too muddy and there was only a couple hours a day that allowed me to launch during the right tides (remember, up here tides swing a good 6 feet, not 6 inches like where you're at). Our canal in St Augustine has 5-6 feet at low tide.

The way this deal is starting out, it ain't gonna be categorized as 'the happiest' by any means.......whether we get it or not.

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 11, 2002.

Yes, Honda is outstanding, but...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.

Deano:

Way to go. Boats are a lot of fun. Mine is, but it is a money hole; guess they all are. It is a ~20 fter with a planing haul and about 200 horse. It particularly became a money hole last year when the raccoons wintered in it. What a mess.

I am confused by the names in motors now-a-days. When I grew-up the best was Gray [Grey?] marine. They became Chrysler Marine; then Force. They bought Merc and now own Volvo Penta [or did, I can't keep up with these consolidations]. If we move back to the Northwest when I retire, we will probably get one of their diesels. Work well and every podunk port can repair them.

Well, have fun.

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), April 11, 2002.

Z,

Merc bought Force.

Force had a reputation as a "dog"...it was cheap, but looked down upon by the "in the know" boating community as being second class. My single experience with a Force was very positive. The boat it was powering sank. We raised the boat, removed the spark plugs from the motor, cranked it over a few times to get the water out, sprayed the ignition with WD-40, replaced the plugs and the thing started right up and ran fine.

So much for "in the know".

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.

Unk:

My outside guess is that you are talking about outboards. These are great for day outs. My experience is that Honda is good, but, I wouldn't want to bet my life on any of them. For a few hours, they are all good.

I get my information from people who run gill netters in Alaska. Of the gasolline engines, the 426 hemi and the 440 are kings.They just keep rebuilding them. For safety, a good diesel is better. What do you think.

Best Wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), April 12, 2002.

Z,

Yes, diesel is more reliable....one caveat, no motor is better than the capn running the boat. Let your diesel fuel water-up and neglect your fuel/water separators and you are just as screwed as the guy who never changes his spark plugs. Did you know that algae is a problem with diesel fuel too? Any mechanical device can bite ya in the ass, no exceptions.

As a day boater, if I had to bet my life on an outboard, Honda would be my choice. Damned near every commercial fisherman in Florida spends the extra bux for one, and with good cause. Followed closely by Yamaha, which is the king of the two-stroke market. Look at the ass end of a seasoned boater's ride and you with most likely find a pair of Yamis hanging off the rear.

While on the subject, word has it that the new Ficht injected OMC's are a fine motor too. Pity, American steel as an also-ran.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 12, 2002.

Oh yeah, Deano,

If you're still reading this thread and your boat doesn't have a fuel/water separator have them put one in. Get a Racor. Even the best outboard hates water in the fuel with a passion, and depending upon the kindness of strangers (even though boaters do look out for one another) for a tow back to the docks is a major suck-job. And keep the gas tank topped off, condensation inside an empty gas tank will breed H2O.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 12, 2002.

Ack!

And Deano another thing, since I'm spending your money (heehee). No outboard (IMHO) should be without a water pressure gauge. There is no way you can keep your eye on the water "pisser" while you are also steering the boat. And NEVER start the motor if it's out of the water, or if it doesn't have flushing cuffs on it with the hose turned on, you will toast your water impeller. And keep tools and spares of everything aboard.

Other than all that, boating is carefree and fun, LOL.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 12, 2002.

If we move back to the Northwest when I retire

Ahh, nothing like pulling up to Rays Boathouse for dinner and drinks at dusk.

-- Cherri (whatever@who.cares), April 13, 2002.

Deano, good to see you back on the board. Congratulations on your new boat purchase and I’m certain you will have a most enjoyable summer with family and friends. If I could be so bold, I would encourage you to take a boating safety course and bring your wife and children along. The United States Power Squadrons puts on a fantastic course called Boat Smart and you can check for scheduled classes in your area at:

www.USPS.org

It really doesn’t matter how many years of boating enjoyment you may have under your belt, I can assure you that this course will be of great benefit and add to your overall enjoyment of marine activities.

I started off in Michigan, fishing the inland lakes with my Grandfather around 1947. I’ve owned/operated just about every type of pleasure boat, both fresh and salt-water varieties. For the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to enjoy the high seas of Southern California for the wide variety of fish available to salt water sportsmen in this area. For the past 3 years, I have been working on my 6 pack (OUPV) certification from the U.S. Coast Guard. This is the formal license required to skipper a charter sport fishing boat for hire and I have always wanted to stretch myself to this skill level. Boating can be a ton of fun and also a world of danger. It is the latter that all water sport enthusiasts should prepare themselves for……you never know when Neptune will turn against you.

My current boat is a 1977 Uniflite 37’ Sport Sedan outfitted for salt water fishing. Last year in January, we upgraded from a 31’ Uniflte and swapped out the 454 Crusader gas engines for a pair of CAT 3208 Turbo Inter-cooled diesel’s that pump out 375HP each. Man, it was a real challenge to fit-up these power plants but all of the work (and $$$) has been worth it. Today is a work day on the boat as there is a never ending list of things to be done to insure safe and enjoyable boating. Unk, although these CAT’s are factory equipped with (2) oil system filters and (1) fuel filter, we have added a Racor fuel and Filtakleen oil filtration units on each engine.

Tomorrow, the Barracuda are running and we hope to get into the action big time. Keep us posted as to your marine adventures and remember to practice good boating safety at all times.

-- So (cr@t.es), April 13, 2002.

Slow down for the manatees!

We did Sea World yesterday, and were both fascinated and saddened by their exhibit "Manatee Rescue". They had a few manatees that had been severly injured and cut by boat propellers, and the scars they wore... they were gruesome; one manatee was missing half it's tail and could propel itself along slowly by sort of hanging on to another manatee. It really was sad. So for those of you in Florida please PLEASE be extra careful out there.

-- (cin@cin.cin), April 13, 2002.

It STILL isn't a done deal just yet.....prolly will be tomorrow, but not yet. We'll be there after work still trying to get'em to go LOWER....hey, it's a 2001, still in the shrinkwrap, and the only one they have left in stock - the 2003s come out in June and we could use a few more accessories on the house.....

We want a new boat pretty dadgum bad........but we ain't givin' away the whole farm.....just part of it....;-)

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 14, 2002.

cin

Been studying manatee's for a long time. Fascinating creatures,....unbelieveble how HUGE and gentle at the same time. Big effort down here to keep'em around for a while. You're right, boats are their worst enemy. Personally, many hours on the water, seen hundreds and hit none.

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 14, 2002.

Good advice Soc! And, btw, you are ALREADY an excellent skipper from what small slice I have seen IRL! I hope your dream of reality becomes ever closer by the day, dear friend! If I know you, you WILL succeed! Hugs to ya hon!

-- Aunt Bee (Aunt__Bee@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.

Agreed re manatees.

Part of the problem (besides a number of plain old asshole boaters) is the hit and miss way manatee speed zones are designated. One stretch of river will be a 30 MPH zone and just around the next bend is a "Manatee Zone" with a no-wake (idle speed) area.

I guess it would make sense if manatees could read.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 15, 2002.

Too funny Unk! I've often thought the same thing about 'deer crossing' signs. One lady wanted then moved because too many deer were getting hit by cars.

We closed on that Hurricane last night......FINALLY!!!

Got any $$??? ;-)

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 16, 2002.

Deano:

Great; we know where you will be spending all of your time in the future.

SO:

Sounds like you know what you are talking about. Most of my salt water time sailing or boating has been spent in more sheltered waters. Places like Casco Bay or Pungent Sound. We did get into a "fine" situation in the Juan de Fuca strait one time. The wind was blowing against the incoming high tide. Cured me of wanting to get any nearer to the open ocean. Tidal flow around Vancouver Island can also be fun. I have a number of relatives who are commercial fisherman or crabbers in Alaska. The gulf sounds almost suicidal at times. I will take their advice on what to get if, and when, the time comes. Talk about a plush job, one cousin, captains luxury yachts for wealthy folks.

Have fun Deano.

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), April 16, 2002.

Thanks Z!

Suffice it to say, we'll be there because it will be all we can afford to do now. The annual trip to the Keys ain't happenning this year. We were planning to go to Unk's neck of the woods in Palm Beach at the end of the month. Not any more.......

I wonder how cat food tastes??

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 16, 2002.

Mix it with Tuna Helper and it ain't bad.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 16, 2002.

Sounds like a man of experience......

I was thinking BBQ sauce might work too!

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 16, 2002.

I got this question for Deano and Unk. We're thinking about a place in Floridah. But my SO likes it cool, not hot and muggy, so we're thinking about Panama Beach in the North. What would you say about that area? The attractive thing for me is great scuba diving but does it get too hot? I'd really like to hear from those who live there. Thanks.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), April 19, 2002.

Floridahhhh? ;o]

-- (cin@cin.cin), April 19, 2002.

Sorry Maria, the only place in Florida that doesn't get hot and muggy is Nome. Nome is in EXTREEM north Florida, just above Canada.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), April 19, 2002.

I love to fall into pedantry.

Try Nome, ND

Hee, Hee.

Best Wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), April 19, 2002.

I was afraid of that. My relatives who live along the coast say that it's not that bad. But since I've been in CO for thirty years, my "not that bad" is quite different from theirs. I guess it's all a matter of what you get used to. Thanks for being frank :)

Z the link didn't work.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), April 22, 2002.

Maria

It was 91 in the NE part of the state yesterday. Expecting 92 this afternoon.

But if ya got water in the backyard, it ain't bad at all!

I was reminded this weekend that 6 hours of boating requires a couple hours of cleanup when you're done. But as nice as it was this weekend, well worth it!! Hey Unk - that Yamaha purrs like a kitten at 40mph.........also burns the gas a little quicker too!

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), April 22, 2002.

Was kiddin bout the neighborhood Deano. Good to hear ya

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), April 23, 2002.

Deano, I guess you're right about being close to water but 92 in April?! ~:-)

Sounds like you're having fun; I'm ready! This year we tried snowmobiling in the mountains for the first time. WOW! No wonder everyone hauls them in and out every weekend.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), April 23, 2002.