Thanks everyone for all your great input..... Now I just need a little more $$ and some warmer weather.... When's that IRS refund/tax credit thing suppose to come through?? :)

I have a canoe that I don't use much anymore. I was thinking about selling it and then heard about 'Canoe Sailing'. A company called "Sailboats to Go" http://www.sailboatstogo.com/index.php sells kits to convert a canoe to a sailboat. If anyone has any experience with this I would be interested in hearing your feedback.

Thanks, Darryl

The Boaters Admin - your idea of adding pics and map points would definitely add to it. I would imagine that the Captains Log feature will take some time (possibly years) for people to use and for a large enough database to be built up before people realize how valuable it is. So, I would encourage you to bring it back and to regulalrly remind people of its use and availability.

Tim and Gina - I've been sucked into your trip. It's great reading. I enjoy reading of peoples trips as I'm stuck in an office pouring over spreadsheets.

Have you ever used the site - http://www.greatlakesdestinations.com/. It is a listing of marinas throught the Great Lakes and allows people to post a review of the marina. Only a few people have posted comments. Some are pretty scathing and others are nice. Do you have any good reference books or websites about cruising in the lakes that you would recommend? I'm brand new to boating, don't even have a boat yet. I am interested in getting certified for sailing and then charter a boat a take some family trips through the great lakes. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Thanks, Darryl

Love the new layout, but when I 1st heard of Boaters.com one of the features that I thought was to be included was the posting of itineraries. I was hoping that people would post not only the places that they have visited, but would also include a brief description of their stay.

An example of what I was hoping for was I found an old blog written by a young couple about 7 years ago of their week long trips they would take cruising up and down the Great Lakes. They would include the specific course settings, weather, speed, and time. However, what made it interesting was that they would also include the marina's they would lay over at (including the condition of the marina), and what there was to do and see (restaurants, hiking, historic sites, etc.). Like a mini-travelogue.

As I search for places that I might want to cruise, I would love to read about others' experiences in the same area. Places to avoid as well as 'must see' places. Right now, the only function I can find that comes close is if people have an active blog or by emailing individuals and asking about their experiences.

Are there any plans to someday include itineraries as an option in the header and then allow people to create groupings within - similar to 'Groups'?

Thanks, Darryl

What about camps for the whole family? Is there such a thing? I was originally planning on paying for ASA lessons for my wife and I, but maybe a camp for all ages would make for a nice vacation and involve the whole family. I will look into the places mentioned, but would be interested in any other suggestions.

Love the show Julie! --Darryl

According to a issue 2 of 'Duo' (official magazine of BWR) the total purse is $522,000 USD. 1st place receives $201,000 USD and the remainder is divided between the top 50% of the finishers. Further prize money will be awarded for individual speed and distance figures, etc.

Doesn't seem like much money for what you are risking.

However, the 1st boat through the 1st gate won 24 cases of Estralla Damm (Spanish beer). Hopefully, the rest of the team will save a couple of bottles for the 2 skippers onboard when they return.

Not sure where I originally heard about the race. Probably some blog. I tried and was unable to post the website link for the race in the News section. So, I'll post it here. Hope it helps. In the meantime, I'll go through my list of blogs and see if I can find out more.

http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com

Darryl Hall, a.k.a 'Farley Mowat'

Anyone following the news for the upcoming Barcelona World Race? I'm new to sail racing and usually I'm not interested, but this one is a little different. What makes this race different from others is that there are only 2 men per boat, NON STOP, and around the world. I think these 3 factors should make it fun to follow. I think there are currently 6 teams competing.