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always increase the angle until the sun is on the horizon_don't increase
and then decrease and then increase, etc.) This prevents backlash from
screwing up your readings. (jfh)



5.15    Boat pictures, and ftp sites for boat info



I (sb2) run the rec.boats FTP server(if you can use a listserv, you too can
have them) for pictures. Some from my personal collection, some from the
America's Cup, others from Whitbread, etc.


dell1.dell.com in the anonymous FTP directory/donate/boats



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I believe that Steve also maintains an ftp-able version of the FAQ. So do I
(jfh) on the machine wilma.cs.brown.edu, in the pub directory with the
name rec.boats_FAQ.Z. The file POWER.UU that's there is also of
interest to some rec.boaters_it's a PC program for something to do with
surface-piercing drives, submitted by Paul Kamen. It's a zipped DOS
executable, and you need version 2.04 of pkunzip to unzip it.



5.16    Propellor selection



GENERAL RULE OF PROP SELECTION: On a properly trimmed boat
a prop of the correct pitch and diameter will permit the motor to attain
it's maximum rated RPMs but NO MORE.


HOW TO BUY THE CORRECT PROP: The best method of prop
selection that I know of is to find a dealer that will let you try several
props with the understanding that you will buy the one that performs as
above. Of course it is also understood that if you ding a test prop you will
buy it.


Contributed by hl.



5.17    Binocular selection



Contributed by (pe).


The quality of binoculars shows up in several important areas. this is
certainly one product area that the quality can range from junk to
excellent, and you get what you pay for. The areas of prime concern are
as follows:


1) Eye relief: This is the distance back from the eye piece that the image
is formed. Most binoculars have a rubber eye piece that positions your
eyes in the proper place. This rubber piece can then be folded out of the
way for people who wear glasses. A longer eye relief is more forgiving to
those who wear glasses.


2) EXIT PUPIL: Generally tied closely to eye relief, this is the diameter
of the image comming out of the eye piece. The larger this is, the less
sensitive it will be to having your eye is in the exact right spot. Generally
speaking, larger is better. But to make it larger, the overall size of the
binoculars increases.


3) Light Transmission: The percentage of light that enters the front lens



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that makes it out the eye piece. For daylight use, this is not too critical.
For nightime use, a few percent improvement in the amount of light
making it through can make a hugh difference. The type of optics (glass
versus plastic), the coatings on the lens elements, and the overall quality
of teh lenses make the difference. Large, GLASS, coated optics give much
better performance than plastic, uncoated optics. Of course, large glass
elements start to get heavy.


4) Depth of Field: As a side effect of the above three items is an improved
depth of field. This is the distance that an object remains in focus. The
really good units don't even have a focus knob, as the depth of feild is so
large that it isn't necessary.


5) GAS FILLED: The better units are sealed, and purged with dry
nitrogen. This keeps moisture out, keeps the lenses from fogging, and
helps improve the overall optical qualities.


6) THE CASE: A rubber armored, rugged case will help prevent damage.
Lens caps that stay with the unit keep them from getting lost, and make
it much more likely that you will put them back on to protect the lenses.


You may want to check out the West Marine catalog. They have a chart
listing all the important characteristics of the binoculars that they sell.
Compare it against the specs of a unit you are considering. Decide if you
might ever need to read the number on a channel marker at night.


My advice is to go with the best that you can afford. Properly treated,
they will last forever and you will not be sorry.



5.18    Blue book value of boats



Contributed by jjensen@kaiwan.com (John Jensen). For anyone thinking
of a purchase of a boat, BUC Research's Used Boat Price Guide seems to
be the reference to have. You can reach them at: BUC Research 1314
Northeast 17th Court Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305 to order call:
1-800-327-6929 Fax: 305-561-3095 phone: 305-565-6715 Library of
Congress Catalog Card No. 63-35604 ISBN 911778-67-5


Prices as of the Volume 1 issue (1984-1990 models): Volume 1 (1984-1990)
$72.00 Volume 2 (1974-1983) $62.00 Volume 3 (1905-1973) $52.00


The book(s) are worth it. However it has been suggested to try your local
library first before shelling out your money.



                                 62




5.19    Interfacing NMEA0183 to your computer



Lots of people want to know how to interface NMEA 0183 instruments to
their laptops or other computers. One answer is to do it directly: NMEA
data out -> RS232 data in, and NMEA data return -> RS232 ground. The
signal is 4800 baud, no-parity, 1 stop bit.


But here's a better answer, courtesy of Bob Curtis (bc@gate.net): Here's
a simple circuit to keep your instruments safe:



     a ----/"/"/"/"----+         +---+------/"/"/"/"------ +12v
              5k         _         _    _          5k
                        ---      _/     +-------------------- to RS-232 rcv.
                        / "      _
                        ---      _"
                         _         _
     b ----------------+         +------------------------ to RS-232 common
                                   _
                                   _ <- might not need this connection
    gnd ------------------------+



You will have 100% isolation if you leave off the ground connection shown
(recommended). Some systems may work more reliably with a common
ground. The parts (2-5k resistors and a photo-optical isolator) will cost
about $4 at any Radio Shack.



6    Bibliography



6.1   Magazines



AMERICAN SAILOR, none, This one is for members of USYRU. Almost
exclusively for racing. Dave Perry has a short but interesting "rules
corner".


ASH BREEZE, none, P. O. Box 350, Mystic, CT 06355, $15/year (4
issues). The journal of the Traditional Small Craft Association.
Member-contributed articles about design, construction, and history of



                                 63




traditional boats. Members also receive discounts on books published by
International Marine.(al).


BOAT DESIGN QUARTERLY, none, P.O. Box 98, Brooklin, ME,
$24/year (only 4 issues). Each issue contains six to eight reviews of boat
designs. This magazine is mostly the effort of Mike O'Brien (who also
writes for WoodenBoat magazine). Only worth it for those truly obsessed
with boat designs.(al).


BOATBUILDER, none, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235
800-786-3459. Primarily amatuer construction. Monthly articles by
notable Dave Gerr (lots of his latest book "The Nature of Boats" was first
published in Boatbuilder). Includes instant boat construction, origami
steel boats, etc.(mp) Possible new address (subscription dept?):
Boatbuilder, 76 Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich, CT 06836-2626.


COASTAL CRUISING, none, The Magazine of Achievable Dreams. This
rag was formerly called "Carolina Cruising" and probably still should be.
Concentrates on the ICW around and about its Beufort, NC home base.
A harbor profile in each issue with a color arial photograch as a
centerspread. Quirky columns written by people who are really into
bringing the spoken accent to the written page. Printed on cheap
newsprint paper and comes out 6 times a year. Unless you live or cruise in
the Carolinas, save your money. (wms).


CRUISING WORLD, none, Good articles, wonderful reader service called
"Another Opinion", which will tell you about other readers who own the
same boat that you do (or that you are thinking of buying), and who
might be interested in telling you about it, Extensive brokerage and
charter listing. -jfh-.


GPS WORLD MAGAZINE, none, Monthly magazine covering the
spectrum of GPS usage. Current regular subscription rates: US $59,
Canada $79, Foreign $117. Advanstar Communications, P.O. Box 10460,
Eugene, Oregon 97440-2460, U.S.A. Phone: (503) 343-1200 Fax: (503)
683-8841 Telex: 510-597-0365 (rb).


GREAT LAKES SAILOR, none, Tends to focus on the sailing scene in
the midwest. Has suspended publication as of January 1993. (tl).


JOURNAL OF NAVIGATION, none, The main problem is this is a
quarterly publication (at best), that often suffers long delays in delivery.
It has an interesting mixture of high end and low end stuff. For instance
it will have discussions of what the piloting station of a large freighter will
have the next decade alongside a report of a last (ill fated) Atlantic
voyage of a junk rigged 30' cruiser. (rb).



                                 64




LATITUDE 38, none, The SF Bay sailing rag. Cheap paper, irreverant
staff. Far more honest than any other sailing rag. Latitude 38,P.O. Box
1678,Sausalito CA 94966,USA. Phone: 415 383 8200 ; 415 383 5816 (fax).
First class postage subscription: $45/year. Third class postage
subscription: $20/year. "We regret that we cannot accept foreign
subscriptions, nor do we bill for subscriptions. Check or money order
must accompany subscription orders." (However, Canadians may order
the First Class subscription.).


MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS, none, This small magazine with its own
strong identity and readership may interest those who enjoyed Small Boat
Journal before its change. Costs 20 buck per year. 29 Burley St.,
Wenham, MA 01984. "This is a great little magazine filled with
reader-contributed articles and good classifieds (especially for readers in
New England). Very entertaining, and you can't beat the price." (al),
"particularly since it comes out every two weeks. The primary focus is on
boats for the "little guy," rowboats, patched-up boats, and homebuilt
boats. There is a lot of coverage of off-beat boats, and most issues include
a design by Phil Bolger." (wv).


MULTIHULLS, none, 421 Hancock St., N. Quincy, MA 02171, (800)
333-6858, $21/year (6 issues). As the name states, this magazine deals
exclusively with multihulls. Coverage is divided about evenly between
cruising, design, building, and racing. They also sell books, videos, and
posters.(al).


NATIONAL FISHERMAN, none, The working seaman's magazine.
Printed on newsprint, filled with editorials about why the fisherman
cannot make it in the modern USA, and articles about how well EPIRBs
*really* work, etc. A *great* mag. Wonderful classifieds.


OCEAN NAVIGATOR, none, Informative article; passagemaking
information, info on nav hardware and tools. The letters are worth the
price of admission. Nav problems at the end of each issue that include
piloting and offshore celestial problems, with answers. Only magainze
that I read cover to cover. Some articles about electrics tend to be slightly
screwy-Nigel Calder can't distinguish amps from amp-hours.


OFFSHORE, none, 220-9 Resevoir Ave, Needham, MA 02194. Covers the
Northeast coast from New Jersey to Maine. Good coverage of the area
with plenty of local interest stories, marina profiles, safe boating,
navigation and area history. Slightly skewed toward powerboats but
plenty of interest to sailboaters, too. Regular columns on local boating
news and Coast Guard Search and Rescue summary. Series by Dave Gerr
on understanding Yacht Design contains many of the articles on which his
book "The Nature of Boats" is based. Excellent classified section with a



                                 65




unique "renewable guarantee" that will keep your ad in until sold for a
one time fee of $25.00 (wms).


POWERBOAT REPORTS, none.


PRACTICAL BOAT OWNER, none, published in Poole, Dorset,
England. Practical Boat Owner Subscription, Quadrant Subscription
Services, Perrymount Road, Hayward Heath, W. Sussex, RH16 3DH,
United Kingdom. Another reader notes that "The current Practical Boat
Owner gives the following address for overseas subscriptions: Practical
Boat Owner, PO Box 272, Haywards Heath, W Sussex, RH16 3FS, UK.
Tel: 0444 44555." P.B.O. is great for boat tests (yachts any size, motor
boats mostly small) and simply excellent for how-to-do-its. Editorials
reflect the British scene since it's a British magazine. The editor, George
Taylor, answers queries in person by return of post.


PRACTICAL SAILOR, none, These folks test out products and do
sailboat reviews and compare products made by different people. They
also answer questions. They have no adverts, so that their information is
nominally unbiased. 

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