References

All About Boats – A site that lists thousands of boats for sail both by owners and brokers. This site combines listings from the printed version of Soundings, Trading Times, and other sources. Not always the most current but still a useful resource. One owner I called about a listing said that he had sold his boat 8 months ago and they still had re-listed his ad.

Combined River Stages - For those of you that would like to keep an eye on the activities of Old Man River. This page combines the river stage reports from several sites. It is updated several times each day. A real time graph of the river level in the Alton Pool during the last three days is also available. When the real time chart shows a level over about 25.5 feet, the only roads to the marina that I use will be under water.

Electric Boat Home Page - This site is maintained by Douglas Little and contains links to many other sources of information about the use of electric propulsion in boats.

Lehaman's - A catalog operattion with Web Site that actually specializes in non-electric appliances for he Amish community but also does a land office business with the survivalists, outdoorsmen, and more recently the Year 2000 doomsday cults.

Nor'Sea Yachts - The manufacturers of the Nor'Sea 27. Also building the Montgomer 15 and 17. Rumors float around that they are planning to resurect the design of the Montgomery 23 also.

Northshore Yachts - The builder of the Fisher series of Pilot House Motor Sailors. Sizes range from the Fisher 25 to the 47. The 31 and larger are all double enders while the25 is a normal transom model with an outboard rudder.

Pacific Seacraft - Builders of the Flicka 20 and Dana 24. These models were discontinued in 1999. Rumors indicated that they might still be built on more or less a custom basis if they obtained sufficient orders.

Ramsey Electronics - This is the home page for the well known producer of various electronic kits. While I purchased my Doctor NiCad kit from a local supplier, their kits are available directly and as finished products for people who do not feel comfortable with the electronic wiring process.

Sailnet - A commercial site that hosts many e-mail discussion lists. Their Boat Check pages give owner's reviews of a wide variety of sailboat models and manufacturers.

Sailrite - Sailrite provides equipment, fabrics, components, and complete kits for those who desire to do their own canvas work. Solar Wind's Drifter was constructed from a kit purchased from Sailrite.

Solar Power - One commercial source for solar panels, wind generators, and accessories is Wind/Sun in Arizona

The California Cape Dory Owners Association - extensive web site with an active BB system and specifications for every Cape Dory model

The Com-Pac Yacht Owners Association - As it's name suggests, this site is specific to Com-Pac sailboats. If you own a Com-Pac or want to consider one for your future, you should review this site and join the e-mail discussion list.

The Flicka Sailboat Home Page - A page dedicated to this classic small and trailerable sailboat. The listing of Flickas for sale on this site is a useful source of boats for sale by owner or broker.

The Sam L. Morse Company - Builders of the Falmouth Cutter and her bigger sister the Bristol Channel Cutter

The Trailer Sailor Club - One of the best resources for questions about Trailer Sailing. This site does not restrict itself to only one model or manufacturer of vessel. The Bulletin Board maintained on this site is a very useful resource for general information.

Single Sideband (SSB) Radio Communications for the Sailor

Airmail 2000 - The Home Page for the Airmail software. This software is free to Amateur Radio operators

Elecraft Inc - The Home Page for the K2 and associated radio family. High quality kit radios that can be used for the Pactor II mode.

Icom America - The Home Page for Icom SSB radios. Icom sells only via dealers but they are listed on their web site.

JV Comm 32 - This shareware program will decode and display SSB weather maps from your receiver to your Windows 95 and up laptop computer. The software uses your existing Soundblaster compatible hardware and generally no other equipment is required. The current demo software is fully capable and unlimited - it just places "begging messages" on the FAX charts for unregistered users. The registration fee for this software is currently (January 2000) $68.

Outbacker - One of the most popular mobile verticaal HF multiband antennas. Built in Australia, they are imported to the US and available from most Amateur Radio Suppliers

Pin Oak - A for profit provider of SSB eMail services to the sailing community. In 1999, Pin Oak was charging $360 per year with a fee of $0.95 per message unit (1000 character limit for each message unit). They are licensed as a public coastal station by the FCC. Pin Oak has taken an active role in attempting to discourage competition by seeking adverse rulings from the FCC in reference to their competition. Pin Oak also requires that the Radio Modem be purchased from them (about $1,300 in 1999). These modems have been modified so that they cannot be used to access other providers of SSB eMail.

Resonant Feed-Line Dipole - This is a simple starting point for an antenna suitable for temporary use on a sailboat. Build it per the instructions and raise the center feed point to the masthead. Let the coax feed run aft to the pushpit (then inside to the transceiver location as necessary) and the free end can run forward to the pulpit. Be sure to solder the center connection as described and pot the center assembly in a small piece of 1/2 inch PVC pipe filled with epoxy to prevent moisture damage to the Coax feed. For maximum efficiency, you will need to build one antenna for each band of operation.

SailMail - A non-profit provider of SSB eMail services to the sailing community. In 1999, Sail Mail was charging $200 per year with no message based usage fees. They are licensed as a private coastal station by the FCC and have one station on the west coast and a new station on the south Atlantic coast.

SEA - A manufacturer of Marine SSB Radio equipment. Some of their products are dual purpose in that they can transmit on Marine and Ham frequencies.

SCS - The manufacturer of the Pactor IIe Radio modem. Built in Europe, the modem has a distributor in the US. This modem is still relatively expensive but well worth the cost given that it is several times faster in transmitting data - especially under conditions of poor radio transmission. In 1999, the modem was selling for about $650.

SGC - The Home Page for SGC Radios. SGC sells via dealers and direct from the manufacturer. If you purchase a SGC 2020 radion in the used market, be sure to verify the version of the control software. This radio has passed through many iterations during the first year of it's manufacture and current firmware control software is important. SGC can update the firmware in it's newer radios for a charge (about $90 in 1999).

Weather Resources for the Sailor - A site that lists sources of weather information. This site also links to USCG broadcast schedules.

This page was last updated: 11/25/01 06:30:30 PM

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