Boats FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Boats

This FAQ about Boats was compiled and written by John F. Hughes with numerous contributions by others.

1.0 Pre-introduction

2.0 Introduction

3.1 Addresses of class associations for sailboats

3.2 How can I get into sailboat racing as a crew member?

3.3 Is the MacGregor 26 a good boat?

3.3.1 Does water ballast work?

3.3.2 Summary

3.4 What's a good first sailboat?

3.5 How do those rating systems and all that stuff work?

3.6 Who/What is US Sailing, how do I join, should I join?

3.7 Where can I find out about collegiate sailing?

3.8 What about keels?

3.9 Sailing simulators?

3.10 Chartering and learn-to-sail schools

3.11 Formula for hull speed based on length, and its limitations

3.12 Sailing in other countries

3.13 Sailing in Chicago

4.2 Are Doel Fins a good thing?

4.3 What is a Hole Shot? Will a Stainless prop add to my high end speed?

4.4 Is VRO a good idea?

4.5 What's a good first powerboat?

4.6 Can I put unleaded gas in an old outboard?

4.7 Are there any powerboat class associations?

5.1 Addresses and numbers for suppliers

5.1.1 NMEA Specification for inter-electronic communication

5.1.2 Anchor Chain And Rode, Other Hardware

5.1.3 Navigation and Simulation Software and Equipment

5.2 Safe boating courses and organizations

5.3 Should I get GPS or Loran?

5.3.1 How GPS Works: An Introduction

5.4 What other newsgroups discuss boating stuff ?

5.5 What's the 800 number for the User Fee Sticker?

5.6 What's it cost to own a boat?

5.7 Who can tell me about boat X?

5.8 What are the laws about boats...?

5.9 What's a formula for top speed?

5.10 Accurate time source for navigation

5.11 Winter storage for batteries, and their state of charge

5.12 Online information

5.13 Should we split rec.boats?

5.14 What sextant should I buy to learn with?

5.15 Boat pictures, and ftp sites for boat info

5.16 Propellor selection

5.17 Binocular selection

5.18 Blue book value of boats

5.19 Interfacing NMEA0183 to your computer

6.1 Magazines

6.2 Nonfiction about sailing trips

6.3 Sailboat Racing

6.4 Maintenance

6.5 Fiction

6.6 Design, seaworthiness, arts of the sailor,

6.7 Films and Videos

6.8 Misc

7.0 List of Contributors

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